In Part I of this series, we outlined ways to reduce air ticket costs, find hotel deals and discounts in New York and cheap airport to hotel transport. In Part II, we explored cheap eats at decent restaurants in New York City’s five boroughs.

In this post, the final part, we outline how to experience New York, visit the landmarks and tourist attractions, save on transportation costs, and lastly a mini shopping guide for NYC, with the best shopping deals and shopping streets in New York.

Want to go sightseeing in New York? Got 3 days? Buy the New York City Pass, which grants admission to over 40 top New York City attractions, with Grayline New York Sightseeing double-decker top deck view bus transport (optional), which takes you from one attraction to the next. Free multi-language guidebook with detailed maps, tips and directions for every tourist attraction which the pass provides access to. $145 for an adult pass and $139 for children below age 12.

If you don’t want to go on a guided and timed tour group on the bus, you have the option of buying just the pass, and arranging your own transport. 1 day adult pass costs $69, a 2 day pass for $99, a 3 day pass for $104 and a 7 day pass for $135.

The full list of New York tourist destinations which this pass takes you to are listed here, and the top 10 most popular attractions out of these are the Empire State Building, Statue of Liberty, Madame Tussaud’s, New York Skyride, Circle Line River Cruise, Guggenheim Museum,  Natural History Museum, Museum of Modern Art, Rockefeller Center Tour and the New York Aquarium.

There are few more exhilarating experiences in the world for a budding shopping addict than a whirlwind shopping tour around New York’s famous boutique lined streets. And the shops on Fifth Avenue provide the ultimate high on this particular adventure. The list of the must visit shops along Fifth Anevue includes Bergdorf Goodman, Brooks Brothers, Bulgari, Cartier, Disney Store, Fendi, Ferragamo Women’s, Fortunoff, Gucci, H. Stern, Harry Winston, Henri Bendel, Kenneth Cole, Louis Vuitton, NBA Store, Prada, Saks Fifth Avenue, Sephora, Takashimaya, Tiffany & Co., Trump Tower, Van Cleef & Arpels and Versace.

Let’s bring down the budget a couple of notches with some discount shopping. The above listed stores are just perfect - For window shopping, and the occasional once in a lifetime splurge. But for the ordinary American tourist, these shops are a luxury. Besides, you can get the same designer duds at discount stores around New York. The trick is find these stores, and be able to pick out items in mint condition.

Century 21: www.c21stores.com, 22 Cortlandt Street, between Church St. and Broadway, (212) 227-9092, labelled as ‘New York’s Best Kept Secret’ (naturally everyone knows about it), offers steep discounts between 40% to 70% off retail prices, with 15 departments full of great bargains on a fine collection of designer clothing for men, women and children, shoes, accessories, lingerie, cosmetics, gifts, electronics, linen and houseware. In short, a shopper’s paradise. Which is why you’ll be literally fighting throngs of NYC residents and visitors to get hold of the best of the lot. Truly a memorable shopping experience….

Gabay’s: www.gabaysoutlet.com, 227 First Avenue, between 13th and 14th Street, (212) 529-4036. Gabay’s sells designer overstock for men and women from fine fifth avenue stores such as Bergdorf Goodman and Henri Bendel, at 50% to 80% off retail prices. Here, you’ll find the best brands and latest fashions, including handbags, shoes, eveningwear, suits, casual clothing, lingerie, sunglasses, swimwear and outerwear. Gabay’s stocks brand name items such as Yves Saint Laurent, Chanel, Gucci and Jimmy Choo for women, and Giorgio Armani, Ralph Lauren and Gucci for men.

Syms: www.syms.com, 400 Park Avenue, (212) 317-8200. Syms is the official off-price representative for over 200 designer and brand name products. Syms is particlarly helpful if you’re looking for bargains in gowns and men’s suits from designers like Oscar De La Renta. The Syms store in Park Avenue is generally stocked up well due to high demand, and you can get further discounts if you register on their website.

Ok. I guess that takes care of all the aspects of a cheap, expansive and memorable New York trip. If this three part guide helps you save money, that makes me happy. If you like New York a little bit more because of all this information, that makes me happy. If you decide you want to take a New York trip after reading all this, that makes me happy. But most of all, what makes me happy, is that New York is a city worth visiting, and writing about. Be safe.

Web links: www.iloveny.com, www.nyctourist.com, New York Times - Travel section