What are the most important sights/things to do in NYC?

I'm hosting a foreign exchange student from Italy, and we're going to be in NYC for the later part of one day, sleeping over, and then spending about half a day there the next day. We're both 15, so I was wondering what are some good things to do or see that would interest us and be good to see if you're from another country. Thanks!What are the most important sights/things to do in NYC?
NYC has so much to do. I've lived in NYC my whole life, and here are some of the highlights:

-- Central Park. You and your boyfriend can walk around, go to the zoo, pack a picnic, rent a rowboat, or do so much more! It's especially great in the summer, and it can be romantic. Here's a link: http://www.centralparknyc.org/



-- When you visit Times Sq., I would go at night, as that is when it's the most remarkable.



-- Ripleys: Believe it or Not, and Madame Tussuads wax museum are both great attractions in the Times Sq. area.



-- NYC has great shopping. I would recommend 5th avenue, Macy's (the largest store in the world), Manhattan Mall, South Street Seaport, the century 21 in Tribeca, and Soho for shopping.



-- Boat tours are abundant in the NYC harbor, and they can be a great way to tour the city.



-- You can kayak on the Hudson River, and then lounge on the grass in Battery Park City.



-- NYC is a concert hot spot. Check and see if any of your favorite music artists are playing. If so, you may be able to get tickets.



-- China town is a great place to go. There's stores, food, and lots of Chinese culture. In small stores you can bargain with the sellers to get cheaper prices.



-- The World Financial Center and The New York Stock Exchange are in NYC. The World Financial Center also has an amazing winter garden with palm trees and white hot coco.



-- Ground Zero, and the World Trade Center 1 construction site is downtown. It's sad and has lots of historical value, but i wouldn't recommend it if you're short on time, because it's basically a construction site.



-- The Empire State Building and Top Of The Rock are both skyscrapers that offer amazing views of the city. If you do visit, buy tickets online, so you don't have to wait in line as long, and they can also be cheaper.



-- You can visit one of the city's many zoos and botanical gardens.



-- The Statue of Liberty is a great attraction. Now you can go up to the crown. I would buy tickets in advance for this as well, because it's a very popular attraction.



-- You could visit Coney Island and ride the Cyclone, and the other Luna Park rides, and then go for a walk on the boardwalk and a dip in the ocean.



-- You guys could rent bikes, and bike aorund the city.



-- There are multitude of museums in NYC. Besides Ripleys: Believe it or Not, and Madame Tussuad's Wax Museum, I would also recommend The American Museum of Natural History, MOMA, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, The New Museum, The Tenement Museum, and The Intrepid Air and Space Museum.



-- You guys could walk across the Brooklyn Bridge, have lunch at Grimaldi's Pizza, and come back.



-- Some great restaurants are:

Il Corallo trattoria in Soho

Pop burger, near the Hudson River

Ox Cart in Brooklyn

Joe's Pizza on Bleecker

Philio's Fro Yo on Bleecker.

5 days agoWhat are the most important sights/things to do in NYC?
Take him to the top of the Empire State Building. I went when I was a kid and it was really cool! I also got to see the top of the WTC in July 2001, when I was 10, which was (clearly, now) a once in a lifetime thing to do. :(

I live about an hour south of the city, so I don't frequent the "tourist" spots as often. But some of my other favorite spots include:

American Museum of Natural History (upper west side)

Broadway

Central Park

Yankee Stadium

Times Square

Rockefeller Center (especially when they get the Christmas tree there!)



I'd say you should avoid the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. You need to take a boat to get there and they can take up a huge chunk of your day. If you really want to see them, go ahead, but if you want to see a lot of NYC, stick to Manhattan. And take the subway; it's quick and cheap.What are the most important sights/things to do in NYC?
Statue Of Liberty