I can't help you with hotels as I never had to stay in one since I live so close and work there. Here are some suggestions for things to do, especially if you have kids 1) Serendipity - it may be overrated but definitely something to enjoy http://www.serendipity3.com/ 2) The Met http://www.ny.com/cgibin/frame.cgi?url=http://www.metmuseum.org/&frame=/frame/museums.html 3) Central Park (If its not too cold) you can go ice skating there, go to a zoo and eat at the Boathouse http://www.ny.com/sights/neighborhoods/central_park.html 4) Shopping at SOHO/Village (not really a kid thing to do but definitely something to do when you are in Manhattan) 5) Broadway play would be great (eat at at the stardust diner - we had a lot of fun there) 6) Burgers at the Parker Meridian hotel 7) Brunch at Sarabeth's or Jane 8) Empire State is a must only because that is a very NYC though I ewnt once with someone from out of town and thought it was boring. 9) Museum of Natural History on the West side is nice - great for kids though I like the one in Washington better Union Square is fun and a great shopping mecca as well If the weather is bad, go to chelsea piers for some indoor sports fun The intrepid or the Childrens Museum of Manhattan If you want to venture out to Brooklyn, there is an aquarium, puppetworks and the brooklyn children's museum Rockefeller is nice. within that area, there is the Ninetendo Store and the American Girl Doll store, St. Patrick's cathedral and Saks (the window display is cute but not as elaborate as the other stores) Check out the ABC Home Store for you and FAO Schwartz for the kids (there is also a GIANT TRU in Times Square Check out cupcakes from Crumbs and Magnolia Bakery Hope this helps.

As a perpetual tourist (I live here), here's my take: 1) STATUE OF LIBERTY. This is an all day trip. Go early. Book your tickets ahead of time on the Internet. Pack a lunch. The kind of food they sell on the island is the kind that gets you sick on the ferry going back. You can go to the highest point, the crown, if you go on the first boat of the day. But it's not worth it (tiny little room, tiny windows, crappy view, horrific climb up corkscrew stairs to get there). The rest of the day, you'll go to the base, which has a great view. There is also a fantastic museum IN the Statue. You can buy combo tickets for the Statue and Ellis Island, but even if you whiz through the Statue, you will end up with about an hour to spend on Ellis Island--if you are really interested in Ellis Island, think about making it a separate trip. 2) I third the STATEN ISLAND FERRY. Here's what I usually do with my guests. Find out when sunset is (check the paper's weather page or the Internet). Make sure that you are in the waiting room for the Staten Island Ferry 15 minutes before that time. Get on the ferry. Watch the sunset of the Statue of Liberty. When you get to Staten Island, get off the ferry and get on the next one going to Manhattan. If you are in the front of the boat, facing Manhattan, you will get a postcard view of downtown Manhattan all lit up. Did I mention that this trip is FREE??? As I think of more, I'll post more.

A tip for Broadway shows is to check out Travelzoo.com, on the main page there is a link for NYC Shows/events. I bought 4 tickets to Mamma Mia recently and paid nearly $600 to find the same exact seats for about 1/3 less. It isn't as cheap as standing in line for 1/2 price, but you aren't wasting all that time either. The Christmas Spectacular at Radio City is amazing. If you are into the ballet, the NYC Ballet should be doing Nutcracker that time of year. You can spend an entire day at the Museum of Natural History. I have stayed at Hotel W in Times Square - it was very nice, but as with all hotels in NYC on the small side and very expensive. If it is clear you should do the Empire State Building. Check out Central Park and take a carriage ride. No matter what you will have fun.

Buy the Michelin green guide to NYC and do your own tours. Walk! Get hungry and spend the money on the great food in NY! The circle line cruise provides a unique look at the city. It will take you past Miss Liberty, which I always find a thrill. But you need to reserve to go to Ellis or Liberty Islands. Here's the link: http://www.statueoflibertytickets.com You can go to tkts in Times Square for Broadway shows but there are long lines. Sometimes a visit to the box office of a theater can turn up last minute tickets that were released but it's very hit and miss. Best to go for those ahead. I always check the seating plan for the theater before I buy.