New York need not be pricey – no matter what happens in the dizzying dance of the US and Aussie dollars. Louise Goldsbury reports that there are plenty of ways to save on a bite or two of the Big Apple…

New York never fails to shine.

The first thing to do when you land in New York is to buy a City Pass (US$74). This will get you free entry to more than 40 attractions, including the major museums and the Empire State Building, as well as a cruise to the Statue of Liberty. At some places, flashing the pass will even let you skip the long queues, or get discounts at Bloomingdale’s and Macy’s. The cheapest way to buy the pass is online (www.citypass.com).

To get around town, the MetroCard is unbeatable in terms of value and convenience. Over-65s are eligible for a reduced-fare MetroCard. (Apply in advance by calling +1 718 243 4999.) Manhattan is such a great place to walk around, so just get off at any of the main stops and explore the differences between the most charming neighbourhoods: Greenwich Village, East Village, Upper West Side, Soho and the Meatpacking District.

Even former no-go areas, such as Harlem, are now considered safe for a day trip. But the flavour of the month is Brooklyn. Catch the train over to the borough to check out the galleries and Botanic Gardens and then walk back over the Brooklyn Bridge for free!

Context Travel has launched several walks led by local professors and scholars. The architecture walk along 42nd Street provides a fascinating insight into the history of the city. It traces the movement of the cultural centre of New York from Wall Street and the Hudson River to the midtown section of Times Square, the theatre district and iconic art deco institutions, such as the Chrysler building.

Probably the best deal in New York is the Staten Island ferry, which is free of charge and passes the Statue of Liberty. To get onto the island and gain access to the statue, a round-trip ticket costs $9.50 for ‘seniors’, or is included in your Citypass.

About one in four Australian visitors to New York is aged over 55 and most of New York City’s major attractions have discount rates for mature travellers. Enjoy the view from the Empire State’s observatory for $14.50; or for $18, soak up an unobstructed 360-degree panorama from the new Top of the Rock at the Rockefeller Center.

For $10 you can spend the day exploring the Metropolitan Museum of Art. But if you time it right, entry to most museums and art galleries is free on certain days or at night; otherwise, visitors are encouraged to make a ‘suggested donation’.

Sports lovers can experience a baseball game for only $5 between April and August, with limited seats available to over-60s at the Yankee Stadium two hours before the game starts at the advance ticket window.

Of course, no trip to New York is complete without going to see a Broadway show, but you don’t have to fork out hundreds of dollars – there are lots of ways to get cheap tickets. TKTS has same-day tickets to Broadway and Off-Broadway productions at up to half price, depending on availability. Booths are located in Times Square and at South Street Seaport ­– for opening times, see nycvisit.com.

Avoid queueing up and wasting precious time on your holiday. Book in advance at www.broadwaybox.com, which provides free discount coupon codes to save up to 50 per cent and allows you to choose the show and preferred date and organise it all before you travel.

The Theatre Development Fund (tel.: +1 212 221 0885) offers discount vouchers to retirees for Off-Off-Broadway productions: $28 buys four vouchers, which are redeemable at the box office of participating theatres.

NYC Sunday Stays is a new program that gives 20–30 per cent off the price of hotel rack rates, as well as room upgrades, discounted room service and complimentary breakfast. Go to nycvisit.com to book a Sunday night special. This website also allows you to browse by venue, date and category to find out how to skip queues and save money on entry fees and dining at restaurants.

The pick of the budget-friendly accommodation is Hotel Beacon (tel.: +1 212-787-1100; www.beaconhotel.com) which has a strong contingent of Australian guests. According to the manager, this is because of its Upper West Side location (central but not chaotic) and the self-contained rooms (a kitchen is a rarity in New York). The Fairway across the road sells fabulous foods of all descriptions. This is an excellent place to buy breakfast, fresh produce, meats, salads or smallgoods from the deli to whip up a meal back in your room, or pack a bag of goodies for a picnic in Central Park.

With all of these savings, you can afford to splurge on some shopping. Be sure to look in the windows on Fifth Avenue, but catch a coach to Woodbury Common for its 220 discount fashion outlet stores.

(All prices quoted are in US dollars.)

Top 10 NYC bargains
1. Staten Island ferry
2. Picnic in Central Park
3. Reduced Fare MetroCard
4. Free entry days at museums
5. Brooklyn Bridge walk
6. Yankees baseball game
7. Empire State Building
8. City Pass vouchers
9. Hotel rooms on Sundays
10. Discount theatre tickets