It's a shame Loz, that you think N.Y. is only for shopping, what a treat you are missing. I have a friend who lives in Florida and they have bought a small flat in N.Y. because they love it so much there. She totally hates shopping, has no interest at all. She loves N.Y. for all it's attractions, the fabulous theatre, the wonderful Art Galleries and Museum, the vibrant street life around every corner. It's possible to spend 2 weeks in N.Y. with a full calendar of things to do and never see a shop.
I love shopping and N.Y. is the cheapest place to shop I have ever visited, but this does not mean that all you can do is shop.
Buddy, IMO A long weekend is not enough taking into account the eight hours to get there and the jet lag you are just settling in and then are going back, but for a taster if that is all you can manage, go for it. I would not know where to start with things to do. It's a 24 hour City. Briefly, visit Central Park, it's massive, but beautiful and the lovely thing is everyone does their own thing there, people jog, do yoga, dress up and sing, or just walk around, take one of the horse and carriage trips, the driver will point out all the things of interest and you can stop at Strawberry Fields and see the John Lennon Memorial. Take a trip out to the Statue of Liberty, the boat trip is very good. If you don't want to pay or stop at the island, get the Staten Island Ferry, it's free, go past the statue and then when it docks come back on the next ferry. Go to a Museum, the Natural History Museum is wonderful, but it would probably take 3 days to see it all, but, you can just take a dip in and spend a few hours. Visit the theatre, it's a must, but, don' t pay full price for tickets, Go to the South Seaport for 11.00am there is a box office there for half price theatre tickets. The South Seaport has a fabulous Seafaring Museum which is so interesting and there are old ships outside you can go aboard. The History of N.Y. with old documents is in this Museum and some wonderful model boats, Phil's favourite Museum. The South Seaport has a large shopping centre with restaurants that look out across the river, the seafood there is lovely and there are always street entertainers. We watch a guy with a rubber body doing so many tricks, including putting himself in a tiny plastic box. If you want to shop, you can get the bus out to Woodbury Common. The ride on the bus is so good as it go through the countryside, West Point the Military Academy is near this place. Woodbury looks like a quaint old American town with lots of small white wooden buildings. All the designer outlets are there. As it's in a Forest it's great for taking photographs, we watched huge eagles soaring in the sky above us.
Back in N.Y. take one of the open top London Buses that give you a tour of the town, they are good, because there is a running commentary and if somewhere looks good, i.e. China Town, you can hop off the bus and then hop back on the next one after your visit. I have only brushed the surface here and missed out so much you can see and do. I strongly advise a visit, but be warned you will want to return.
As for accommodation, keep away from Time Square, it's very noisy. The Madison Square Garden area is good because is handy for lots of places, 10 minutes walk to Time Square, 30 minutes walk to Central Park, 10 minutes to Brian Park. Accommodation is not cheap in Manhattan, so look around for deals.
I forgot to say, get taxis, they are cheap in N.Y. and everyone uses them. Just flag them down in the street.
