Here's what it's like inside the crown/head of the statue.

http://www.wcbs880.com/pages/4441434.php

The photographer has managed to get as far away from the person looking out the windows as is possible within the small volume of the statue's head. Plus, there is a spiral staircase at each end of the small viewing area, so there's little room to walk or linger. Click on the photo marked "The Press" to see what I mean. The viewer is getting a nice look at Staten Island since the Statue faces away from Manhattan.

Re - the Met - yes it is huge and it is a good idea to plan what you'd like to see there. At the front info desk you will find staff very helpful in planning what to see. Note - there are special exhibitins and the Permanent Collection. The Egyptian Collection is considered to be the most comprehensive cllection of its kind - outside of Cairo. From the Temple of Dendur you can access the just re-opened Americn Wing - see the Engelhard Court - now one of the most beautiful spaces in the museum including superb Tiffany windows.

I would be the 1st normally to go up a viewpoint like the Top of the Rock, etc but there is no way that I am dealing with the spiral staircases and enclosed area of the crown. It would probably induce claustrophobia on anybody. Save the time and enjoy Manhattan

Central Park Web site is amazing and very helpful. (And the tours sounds like FUN! May do that.) As for the Met, I think I might buy a guide! It just looks huge, even online, and the collections database is overwhelming.

Sounds like most are recommending Empire State Building AND Top of the Rock. Was thinking I'd do either/or, probably Empire State Building. Thoughts?

Starrs - you are not he first to suggest the Sex and the City tour! I've heard that it really does let you see alot of NYC, and the cupcakes live up to expectation!

So far, here's my list:
American Museum of Natural History - Will spend some time here. Hoping to even see the show at the Rose Center. Heard it's awesome.

Times Square - This one should be easy; it's close to where we're staying.

Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island Museum

Central Park - Maybe a short walking tour, or a picnic lunch here one day. Sounds like LOTS of neat nooks and crannies that we'd love. I'm a statue kind of gal. I love photographing them.

Metropolitan Museum of Art - Another one that will suck up some time, but I don't care! It looks FABULOUS! May end up in their rooftop bar by the end of the day. Sounds lovely.

Ground Zero - Must go pay respects.

Rockefeller Center - May or may not go to Top of the Rock. Thinking we may do the 1-hour Stage Door Tour at Radio City Music Hall. Thoughts?

Grand Central Terminal - Want to see the architecture; may eat at the oyster place or the steak place here.

Chrysler Building - just see it from the street

NY Public Library - Have to go in, see the reading room, etc. Love books; would feel like a traitor if I didn't poke around a bit in here.

Brooklyn Bridge - would love to take transit out to Brooklyn, eat at Grimaldi's with some friends that live there (they may try to talk me into going someplace else; guess I'm flexible), maybe stop by the Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory, then walk back over the bridge.

Chinatown - Maybe a walking tour; DEFINITELY want to eat here; haven't had a dim sum fix since Portland.

Throw in a couple of shows, and that's my plan. I've got a week (Saturday to Saturday). Can I cover it?

I don't see anybody recommending ESB over top of the Rock. Definitely do Top of the Rock instead of the ESB. You can get timed tickets so you avoid most lines. As an added bonus, you get a great view of the ESB.

Bradshawgirl: You need not buy a guide for the Met - unless you plan to go back there numerous times. I would suggest a few highlights: In the Egyptian Wing - models of Meketre and Temple of Dendur and access the American Wing at the back of Dendur - see the new Engelhard Court, Tiffany windows, Tiffany Loggia, note the facade (Bank of the United States from Wall Street), Frank Lloyd Wright Room. Head south in the museum across the Petrie Court ( Rodin's burghers and Ugolino) and see the new Greek and Roman Gallery featuring Hellenistic and Roman art (note two versions of Hercules opposite each other - one a young H. andthe other an aged H. - that's a Hellenistic innovation - realistic and showing age). See the cubiculum (bedroom) from Boscoreale - a world treasure since it is an entire frescoed room in the original condition of over 2000 years ago. Take the elevator to the 2nd floor and see the Impressionists and then - if you still have the strength -- walk the corridor to the old master European guys - Rembrandt, Vermeer, Velazquez, et al. Get a map at the front info desk to guide you.

some great tips here - love to hear the comments as we are in NY during Sept too....
is the weather cool then or still summery? we arrive mid sept and leave on the 25th....i guess the nights will be coolish right?

The Temple of Dendur is amazing and JRoth's directions are perfect. Follow them to a T.

I would pick Top of the Rock instead of Empire State Building.

Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, Brooklyn Bridge, World Trade Center (just a heads up, you can start paying your respects by not calling it GZ), and Chinatown in the same day.

Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island will take the better part of a day. The Brooklyn Bridge is a must.

furledleader
You mentioned to get tickets online for the Statue of Liberty with the "monument pass", do you have a link for this?

Sept in NYC is still usually summer. You can easily get temps in the high 80's, although it may - or may not - cool down at night. (The city absorbs massive amounts of heat during the day due to all the buildings/pavements and then releases it at night - which means it's generally about 10 degrees warmer at night than the suburbs - where lawns/trees don;t absorb daily heat).

We generally don;t get substantially cooler until mid October or so - and can still get Indian Summer days of 80 degrees then.