Destination:New York
Hotel: the Westing New York Grand Central , in East 42nd St 194€/night in Central Manhattan. It is a good choice if you want to sleep in Manhattan and near the Central Station where many metro lines will lead you to any destination in New York.
Renting a car in New York in not recommended. I will recommend to buy a 3 or 5 day metro ticket useful for travelling during your stay.
Places to visit:
-The Statue of Liberty (during the day and during the night with special ferries that leave from the south piers next to the Brooklyn Bridge.
-Go along The Brooklyn Bridge on foot.
-Visit central park on foot or on a bike.
-Wall street area.
-China town.
-If you go during Christmas time. It is advisable to pay for a trip to see the house decorations. It is done at night. Great view of Manhattan at night, too.
-Shopping of course. Even in Manhattan or out of Manhattan in New Jersey. You can take a bus from the Port Authority Bus Terminal to Jersey Gardens Outlet. Return ticket will cost around 25$. You can spend the whole day there and eat in the food court there.
-Fan of the burgers?: Best choice in Shake Shack. Quality Burgers there.