Originally Posted by full of luv

Great family hotel is the Hampton Inn Time Square, about two blocks off time square so easy to visit the sites downtown and uptown, clean rooms (and large for NYC). They had a very friendly rate online, can't remember if calling them for aircrew rate helped or not. We easily fit the family of 4 in the room with bed and sleeper sofa. Great free breakfast every morning.

Family things to do: Many activities are kind of weather dependent.

Well if it's your first time, consider one of the hop on/off buses (prices are negotiable for families). Last June when we went the red busses sales guy (all along the streets near time square) basically offered free kids and night lights tour(which was very well done as well and worth it) with two adult tour fare. Great to get an overview as it's about an hour for both loops, uptown and downtown.
Also, recommend the Hudson river circle line tour, boat goes out by ellis island, and statue of liberty around manhattan up the East river, under all the bridges. If you have a military ID of any kind, I think it's half price.
Obviously 9/11 memorial/museum a must. You can go see lady liberty unclose as well. Walking around wall street during a work day is interesting as often some kind of promotion taking place. Last time I was there it was the day that shake shack went public and had free burgers and shakes for all!
Another obvious family attraction is Empire state building, Central Park, and if really bad weather, the museum of Natural history really rivals the Smithsonian (also free if military affiliated).
Beyond that there are endless museums to visit, and shows to view, even catch a taping of a TV show if you plan ahead.

Flying in if you go to LGA it's the closest, you can take the bus to the subway station, then the subway to Timesquare etc.
If you land in JFK, there is actually a $50 FLAT RATE taxi fare to NYC Manhattan no matter how many riders so it makes sense to get a cab that can hold the family and take the flat rate.
Also Über is alive and well in NYC so if you don't like to subway with bags that's another option.

There's a million choices for what to see and do and it really is a matter of time and money that will limit you.
Have a great trip.
LUV