New York in summer (staying upstate with family ) - your ideas for city and around. Been few times before but never with dd ( now 8)

[sparkysparkysparky]

I'm going to see much loved US relatives in first couple of weeks of school holiday. They don't have kids but have friends with kids. They usually come to us but I really want to take dd now she's older. DH is a bit of a nervous traveller but he has been to these relatives' place before we were married so he's more relaxed.
This is dd's first plane flight too ( 8) !
We have guide books for kids (lonely planet kiddie book etc) and local knowledge of relatives but your top tips would be appreciated.

As you will be there in the summer, go for a walk along the High Line park on a disused railway line on the west side of Manhattan. Lots to see.

We loved the Circle Line boat ride. We went on the one that goes all the way round Manhattan. Yes it was expensive, but imo worth doing.

Agree with the High Line. We walked North to South. We stopped off at Chelsea Market for lunch. We also walked from Brooklyn back across the Brooklyn Bridge. Both these sights are likely to be busy in summer. If you choose well, there are some great things to see in MoMa or The Metropolitan Museum of Art. If your 8 year old is interested in any form of Art, the Met might be worth investigating. It is expensive though. It is near Central Park and that is always worth a visit. You can go up the Top of the Rock or the Empire State Building. My children enjoyed a visit to the Radio City Music Hall. The Staten Island Ferry is a cheap way to get a great view of the Statue of Liberty and a visit to Ellis Island is also good. Have a great trip.