New York for 2 days - what would you do?

Maybe it's cliché but the museums and central park.  The natural history museum, museum or art, and Guggenheim are all "sort of" clumped together.

I would see a show. 

When my wife went, she booked a tour which included a guided bus trip around the city and some boat ride.  She went with a friend who was born and raised in NY (outside of the city).  Her friend said that she learned more about NYC on that one day trip than she'd learned her whole life.

Lived there for 3 years, and here's what I typically would do when family visited:

- Top of the Rock (much less crowded, quicker, and arguably a better view than Empire State Building)
- South Street Seaport (street vendors, nice cafes, on the water)
- Grey Line boat tour of Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island (you don't necessarily have to get off the boat. It's a great way to see the Statue of Liberty up close, since it's tiny from Battery Park)
- Times Square (it's just such a spectacle. Lots of touristy shops, and photo opps. My family were fascinated, especially at night)

Regarding the choice between a Yankees game and a Broadway show, I would suggest a Yankees game.
In my opinion, there's nothing special about Broadway, it's the same as a performance in any other city, and it might struggle to keep the interest of all your group.
Also, sitting outside on a nice summer's evening trumps being cooped up in a theatre 100% of the time.
You could probably get Stubhub tickets to a Yankees game for ~$10/person.

From an athletic perspective, if you have time, run on the outer path at Central Park (6 mile loop), or around the reservoir (1.5 mile loop). Definitely my favourite thing to do in the city.

Just going over my last trip there in my memory banks.  We did the ferry as well got a bit closer to the statue of liberty.  I need to get out there one day.

Also, I'm a bit of a foodie, so I try as many fun things to eat as I can.  China Town, some pizza places, a couple delis for bagels and a pastrami sandwich, etc.

We did a couple Broadway shows to say we did it, but honestly, not that special.  The same show here in Vegas or San Fran is probably better and the venue is a bit nicer.

I've been to New York on Business 50 times in the last seven years.

My favorite things to do are; walk the high line, people watch in Central Park, hire a bike and cycle up and down the bike path on the West Side - have an early evening drink The Standard Hotel (meatpacking district) which has an amazing roof garden to see the sunset from (and the elevator is great fun too) but leave early enough before the 'too cool for school' crowd arrive.

 Strange actually - I've never been able to go to the 9/11 memorial.  We had offices in one of the towers and our main office is on Wall St (you could say our main office IS Wall St) and it was a momentous moment in my life but the thought of going upsets me too much.  I often stay at a hotel nearby and even overlooking the memorial and that's about as close as I can be.  Just makes me so sad.   

These are great ideas.  I would still do a show over Yankees but that's more individual preference.    Worst case twofor tickets that day.  The new park doesn't hold the same interest for me so it would be like seeing any team in any city.

I would want to make sure I ran in Central Park and saw the Statue of Liberty. Not the most exciting things to do, but that is something for me.

We used the Hop on/Hop off bus system to see what we wanted and get dropped where we wanted.  Statue of Liberty up close on the island is very cool.  There is way too much to see in the 3 days we were there.  We walked a lot to see things and take pictures.

I think Central Park is great but a New Yorker pointed out to me that it's intention is more as a city-dwellers escape into nature while I feel the highline is more of a beautiful juxtaposition.  Try going just after you visit Times Square for more effect. It is one of my favorite places in the world and I think all of the ages would enjoy it.

Walk the Brooklyn Bridge (if everyone in group is able, or take subway) down into the Brooklyn Bridge Park (which is beautiful) and then taking the E. River Ferry to Williamsberg is awesome. Williamsberg has amazing music, food etc. Really anything you would want. Plus you can look back across the water for a great perspective of Manhattan. 

In that vein - i did the skyline tour - it went across to Brooklyn so you could get skyline shots.  It wasn't a long tour so it didn't take up the whole day and was fun. See many of the highlights and getting to go across the bridge was fun. 

Coney Island.

Not over a weekend, it will be Tuesday morning through Thursday morning. Strange timing I know. 

Thank you to everyone for the recommendations - I am researching them as we speak! Love all of the ideas!

Great suggestions above.  But if you're on this forum, then you probably swim/bike/run a lot.  My favorite thing to do when I go to the city, is to get up before the rest of your family and run Central Park.  Get out there on a nice weekend morning and there are throngs of runners doing the loop (a little over 6mi as I recall).  It's just fun.  Great scenery of the skyline and the park.