I've been to all those places, I was never shot at. If you hear loud *crack*s, then just pretend the sound is a firecracker...
As for 'sights', well, there's the Jersey Shore (AC or the 'Canadian Riviera', Wildwood) - I'd say take him to see the creepy abandoned buildings in Asbury Park, but I think they finally tore them down...
And, if he has time to sitesee, then there are any number of NYC landmarks; MOMA, Ms. Liberty, the Empire State building, etc, etc...