My mom and I are going to NYC for the weekend and are curious as to how to spend our weekend! Our saturday morning is already booked at NBC studios for a private tour; but currently that is all we have "planned". What are some of the "must see" places to visit? Or restaurants?

I don't mean to sound rude or sarcastic, but are you serious? You're coming to New York, and except for an NBC studio tour, you've no other plans? As for restaurants, there are literally thousands to choose from.
I suggest:
1. Do some research.
2. Let us know the type(s) of food preferred and a price range for restaurants.
Then, perhaps we'll be able to give you a lot better advice and suggestions.

Go Howard! Jen, this is what my daughter and I managed to squeeze into a weekend in NYC--and we wanted to do a lot more but time ran out: Whitney Museum, dinner at two restaurants--reservations for which had to be made at least 4 weeks ahead, shopping in SoHo, tour of Grand Central Station, shopping at Zabar's before heading home, walking, walking, walking, a performance of "Proof," more walking. We also had planned a semi-circle tour of Manhattan but weather prevented that. You will find lots of info and suggestions right here; do a search.

Hi, Jen!

Why not contact Big Apple Greeters and let one of their free guides do the choosing for you? Tell them a bit about yourselves (your ages and interests) and they will send a carefully-chosen greeter to your hotel to take you around for a half-day. All you have to do is enjoy yourselves. We did this on our first full day in New York, and since we wanted to see EVERYTHING, we left it to the greeter, with the stipulation that we wanted something that wouldn't instantly be on everybody's "must-see" list. Our greeter came from Brooklyn, so, after showing us some of the old-but-interesting buildings in lower Manhattan and teaching us to use the subway, she walked us across the Brooklyn Bridge for some great views of Manhattan and a look at a different part of New York. We didn't have a better day anytime in this great city. The website for the Greeters is www.bigapplegreeter.org/

Have a great time in this city, one of the five best in the world, in this Aussie's opinion.

Let us know what interests you and you'll receive much good advice.

Shopping? Sightseeing? Museums? Dining? Shows?

How would YOU like to spend your weekend?

Another question for you before we can help--is this your first visit?

Ellen and Ted-- i have been there once before but did not get to do much sightseeing at ALL. (i was there for the bike tour 4 years ago)

We wanted to see a show or two- we were thinking of "throughly modern millie" or "contact". We are very interested in sightseeing and doing a little shopping. We are holding off on the museums for right now because we plan on taking a second trip in September. We're interested in seeing pretty much anything!

What we are unsure of is the busy-ness of different attractions and suggestions for the time of day to go!

If you decide on Contact, you don't have to get tickets in advance. They will readily be available at the TKTS, the half-price booth. For Thoroughly Modern Millie, you're advised to buy tickets in advance for a weekend performance.
As for other things to do, you still haven't give that much input on your interests, other than shopping.
With little to go on, a Circle Line cruise around Manhattan and/or the Staten Island ferry across the harbor are two suggestions.
As for restaurants, again I ask: Give us a price range and the type(s) of food you prefer.

Here's a great three-neighborhood itinerary that takes 3-6 hours, depending on how much shopping you do.

Start on Mulberry Street in Little Italy (#6 subway stops at Spring St). Walk south on Mulberry towards Canal. Pick a restaurant for lunch (I like Il Fornaio & Da Nico). Dessert at Ferrara's.

Cross Canal Street and turn right, walking west on Canal through Chinatown. Great shopping, sights, smells etc here (including some raw fish markets -- wow). If you like knock-off purses, sunglasses, watches, etc, this is your place.

Turn right (north) on West Broadway and walk through the heart of SoHo. High-end shopping and great people-watching. Also check out the art for sale on the street. End your day at Houston Street, or continue north into Greenwich Village to Washington Square Park. Enjoy!

Why not spend some time in Central Park. You can rent bikes and ride the 'loop'. Or just hang out in the shade and people watch. You can tie that in with a little shopping at Tiffany's : - ) The seaport is pretty in the summer and many people on this board have enjoyed walks across the Brooklyn Bridge (near the seaport). Try an evening ride up to the top of the empire state building (last elevator up is at about 11 PM). There are also many street fairs and craft shows all summer long that are easy enough to find out about in Time Out NY magazine. Contact and Millie are great picks, but you may also want to consider 42nd St (gorgeous), Full Monty (funny) and Chicago (classic).