NY with a toddler

[piscis]

We are going to NY in April with DD (nearly 2).
Has anyone been there with a toddler? Have you got any travel advice on what to see, child friendly places to go, but interesting for us too!
Also, what do you do to entertain a toddler during the flight? DD has taken quite a few flights in her life but all of them 2 hour long maximum. And what about jet lag? Do toddlers cope well with it?

Hi
I did nyc with a 7 month old. They were very welcoming. As lots of children live in apartments the parks are very child friendly. Central Park, the zoo, there is a fire museum somewhere and the intrepid (planes and space shuttles) is meant to be a great museum.
Where are you staying?
As for flights, my toddlers never seemed to suffer jet lag too badly. Just get them onto the new timings ASAP. I also had a no rules policy On flights, they could watch tv, have dummy, eat (take snacks) etc when they wanted. If they are happy with an iPad then let them
Have that!! Just as long as they were quiet and didn't disturb anyone that was good. If it's a night flight obs try and get them
To sleep. Take a pillow/pjs.

We'll be staying in either Brooklyn or Manhattan (no hotel booked yet)

Jetlag is more of an issue on the return leg as its an overnight flight arriving into the UK early the next day.

Catch the free ferry to Staten Island and back again. It has some of the best views of the Statue of Liberty. You can easily take a pushchair onto the ferry, but the outside areas where people crowd in to get pictures of the Statue of Liberty will be too crowded for you to bring your pushchair.
Gulliver’s Gate is an amazing miniature world that adults find just as interesting (if not more) than children. Your DD will get in free. Pushchairs are allowed in. It’s quiet inside and the lighting is low, so it could be a good attraction to time when she’s having a nap.
The Gazillion Bubble Show is hugely entertaining for any age. gazillionbubbleshow.com There are reduced priced “Lap Tickets” available in person at the Box Office for children under the age of 2 who will be sitting in their parent’s lap.
There are a few carousels in NY. The SeaGlass one in Battery Park is my favourite but it’s $5 per ride. There’s a list of them all here www.timeout.com/new-york-kids/things-to-do/carousels-in-new-york-city I’d also recommend the one in Brooklyn Bridge Park which is a bit cheaper and children under 3 ride free with a paying adult. Brooklyn Bridge Park is also one of the few parks with play areas specially designed for toddlers. It’s also really pushchair friendly.
There are several zoos but the best one for toddlers is Central Park. There’s an amazing petting farm, a walkable rainforest zone and easy to view sea lion feedings.
Both the Brooklyn and Manhattan Children's Museums are excellent. Brooklyn has pay as you wish hours on Thursdays from 2PM to 6PM, and on Sundays from 4PM to 7PM. The Totally Tots area is the best for toddlers www.brooklynkids.org/exhibit/totally-tots/

Thank you so much for the recommendations and advice so far!