One thing to remember with the restaurants that might surprise them at first, is that space in NYC is at a premium, so the restaurants, stores, etc. in Manhattan are sometimes narrow and deep. My husband loves Carnegie Deli (I've never seen sandwiches that big anywhere else - expensive but so worth it!). If they can figure out transportation, a trip to Connecticut to the Mystic Aquarium might be nice. Also, I grew up on the beaches of LI so maybe someone can tell us how they could get to Jones Beach or a closer one - you have to experience the Atlantic Ocean if you're going to be that close! And don't forget library preschool programs.
www.nypl.org