Advise needed:
Trying to plan a trip to NYC+ New Jersey- never been to the upper East
We plan to fly to either city,,, we don't want to rent a car,, so subways, uber & trains are our plans & we are looking forward to the trains

may even take a train from Houston to NYC,,, not sure yet.
If I understand correctly,, there are 5 buroughs in NYC,,, we want to see them & eat the food of the locals not commercial foods like McDonald's or Applebee's
Not really interested in more than 15 minutes -2 hours at any common tourist destination,,,not interested in Broadway shows,, more interested in the local life & natural attractions-Central Park---possibly Niagra Falls - by train.- then uber? Hire a guide w/ car?
New Jersey- Atlantic City Boardwalk? / Others?
Hotels? 1will have to have shuttle services to the airport,, no problem ,,,, but we don't want to stay a week at an airport hotel,,, thinking about hotels near Queens so we would be close to the Burroughs,,, we don't need 5 star hotels,, but Don't want motel 6 either for this trip.
Again we know nothing about the areas,,, any advice would be great! Dying to see China Town.