I just wanted to know what and where are the best places to visit and things to do with kids ages 9,7 & 3 in NYC.

The three-year old doesn't care.

The 7 and 9 should see places that will show up for the next few years in movies and on television, so they can say "I've been there."

Statue of Liberty, South Street Seaport (and a short boat trip), the top of the Empire State Building (later they'll see a video of Sleepless in Seattle and this will be important, plus it's a big part of James and the Giant Peach)the giant statue at Rockefeller Center.

Central Park will let them run, and a horse / carriage ride will be remembered for years.

If you have to go to a museum, there's a cr and a helicopter in the Museum of Modern Art (I think, maybe someone else can confirm) and this will be memorable for the kids.

They may also be impressed by the Aircraft Carrier Museum on the west side.

BAK

FAO Schwartz & Toys R Us were a hit with my boys (6 & 10). And I have heard that the Natural History Museum (UWS) is excellent for kids, as well as the Children's Museum. My boys also loved Chinatown because they could pick out a few cheap trinkets.

A boat ride on the Staten Island Ferry (it's free). Take them by the Bull statue near Bowling Green.

See the zoo at Central Park, or if the kids have more stamina take them to the Bronx Zoo. Also ride the carousel in Central Park.

Eat at Jekyl & Hyde on Sixth Avenue in the West 50's.

Regarding the Museum of Modern Art: It has moved to Queens (for the next few years).

The USS Intrepid -- a decomissioned aircraft carrier on the Hudson River that is now a museum with lots of planes and neat stuff.

Belvedere Castle in Central Park. There's a learning center inside and narrow castle staircases to the top for great views of the Park (and the Turtle Pond -- children love to spot and count the turtles).

American Museum of Natural History, of course.