I’m from NYC and I love it - but it’s gotten seriously worse since De Blasio took over. However, in general you’d be okay there and there’s a lot of things to see. My advice is to stay outside, in Newark, for example, and just take a train or shuttle into the city and spend the day touring. The Circle Line (boat tour around the island) is nice and then you could always take one of the bus tours. But whatever you do, don’t try to drive and park there!
Also, another place I like (I’m not sure where you’re starting from) is Havre de Grace in Maryland. Great little seafront town, and I had the best mussels EVER there!
Good mussels are worth their weight in gold!
Good Lord ! Newark ???