Adam, keep in mind that there will probably be an orange alert that weekend, if not nationwide, than clearly in NYC. To that end you might want to avoid some of the marquee attractions like the Intrepid, Empire State Building etc. You might want to look and see if any of the harbor cruise lines are offering a fireworks cruise that would allow you to view them over the water. Don't go to Ellis Island, they won't allow you into the statue of liberty from what my mother told me, she was there a month ago. But you can take the ferry around the harbor and see the statue of Lady Liberty and get some great photos. You like Italian food? Have to go to Little Italy for lunch or dinner. Wave can tell you the places that give cops free calamari, I recommend Angelo on Mulberry's. You'll be there on the weekend? Find a little coffee shop near Central Park and have a good cup of coffee, a NYC bagel and read the Sunday Post. Don't forget to take a walk in Central Park, what a great sanctuary in the middle of one of the world's craziest cities.
Enjoy!