When you arrive at the airport, dont get a private limo. Yellow cabs have fixed fares (by law) to and from JFK. It was $45 when I was there.
There's a large tourist info place at Times Square, go there. lots of info and free vouchers.
Take the subway. You can get a metro card (like an Oystercard) can be used on buses as well. £2 ride all day. Subway lines are numbered. You can walk mostly everywhere. It you buy anything in Chinatown, expext it to be fake. Macy's is just a big Debenhams.

You will go up the Empire State building. And like all before, you will consider it a waste of time. Very cramped, wire fences, lots of people.
Go to the "Top of the Rock" Rockerfeller centre. Wide open, glass walls, views of central park. And much cheaper. You can do the NBC studio tour in the same building.
Go to the Intrepid Aircraft Carrier musuem to see planes and of course Concorde. Bronx zoo is a good day out. United Nations tour is free
Liberty Island is a good visit. Do all the Museums around Central park as well. And of course Hooters.
A few pics to whet your appetite.
1. Top of the Rockerfeller centre looking south

2. looking North.

3. Times Sq.
