Things worth doing: - Museums (take your pick). Any of classics are great - the Met, Natural History, Guggenheim, Whitney, MOMA, etc. There are also some pretty great lesser-visited ones as well - Brooklyn museum, Queens museum, (there's a great panorama/model of the city), Frick collection, and some others are worth considering.
- Yankees game. I'm a life-long Mets fan, but even I acknowledge that there's nothing like the history/traditions/etc of the Yankees (even in the new Stadium).
- Coney Island. It's not what it used to be, but it's still worth a subway ride out there to ride the Cyclone and the Wonder Wheel.
- Bronx Zoo. One of the best zoos in the country.
- Times Square/Broadway play. Most New Yorkers avoid the area if they can, but it's worth seeing once.
- Chrysler Building. Skip the Empire State Building. Shorter lines. Great view. Better building and experience all around.
9/11 Memorial and museum. I have never been and probably never will go, but I've heard they did a good job with it, and it's a moving experience.
- Central Park. Just go for a walk. Or go to Prospect Park in Brooklyn. Both great parks.
- Get a drink at McSorley's (oldest Irish pub in NYC
Things not worth doing:
- Empire State Building. See above.
- Statue of Liberty. Not worth the lines/crowds. Take the (free) Staten Island Ferry, you'll get a great view of the Statue without the hassle.
- Rockefeller Center. Worth it in the winter, for the tree/ice skating. Nothing special in the spring/summer/fall. Maybe check out the area if you're already going to an NBC taping.
Anyways, just my thoughts as a native. Feel free to message me privately if you have restaurant/other questions.
Things not worth doing:- Empire State Building. See above. What??? Yes,It's expensive and crowded but what better way to fully appreciate the majesty of the City That Never Sleeps? IMO the *outdoor* deck at the WTC was much better but,alas...
- Statue of Liberty. Not worth the lines/crowds. Take the (free) Staten Island Ferry, you'll get a great view of the Statue without the hassle.
I agree that the Ferry is an excellent way to see Lady Liberty.But as an out-of-towner the crown of the statue is unlike anything I've ever experienced (check my profile to get an idea of what I've experienced).
I think you're just one of those jaded New Yawkers! ;-)