^ Statue of Liberty has been closed since 2001 anyway, no? The boat tour that goes out in a loop past Liberty Island gives you some great views of the skyline etc though.
The views from the Empire State Building
are absolutely astonishing, but it's a hefty queue by any standards. Sadly you can't do any more than peek inside the Chrysler building, though it's the outside that's most worth looking at. Grand Central Station is as beautiful as you expect from all the films you've seen it in; if you find yourself nearby have a look.
The
Corner Bistro in the West Village has been doing the best burgers in the city since my parents moved there in the 60s and the atmosphere around that whole neighbourhood is wonderful.
The most fun I had last time I was there was probably just walking south along Broadway from Times Square down to around where the Flatiron building is: I've never seen so much variety in such a short space of time, and it's fun watching the touristy-ness disolve away and be replaced with "real" New Yorkers going about their business.
Bus tours of the sights are often highly praised, and there's various different angles; eg there's one that'll show you all the TV and movie locations for example (the
Cosby house, the
Friends appartment etc etc) but Manhattan is such a small place you can probably walk to must of the things that interest you anyway.
November will be "football" season, if you have any interest in that stuff you can check schedules for the
Giants and
Jets to see if they're at home when you're there, they both play just across the river in "Joisey"
Eat lots, especially from street vendors - not to disparage our very own ever-faithful The Maggie, but they do that better there!
If you wanna see a show you can usually get tickets by queueing on the day at the place on Times Square: I have a friend who just saw Rent and recommends it but there's loads to choose from.
Spend some time in Central park; it helps you get your breath back and again will be a good glimpse of life, rather than tourism.
I haven't said anything that guide books couldn't have told you, but the fact I've typed this much - that I'm so excited for someone
else going there - should tell you something in itself. Enjoy!
I wanted to fulfil my childhood dream after watching Home Alone 2: Lost in New York. 
you're so jammy.
