SOME go for the shows, some for the galleries — but fuhgeddaboudit: the real reason to go to New York at the moment is something far less cerebral . . . yup, shopping.

With so many great weekend break offers about and the exchange rate at an incredible $1.80 to the pound, and, as a general rule — for American brands at least — goods priced at approximately the same number of dollars as they are in pounds, you’re looking at saving almost 50 per cent.

Nowhere do you get more choice for your dollar than Manhattan. You might be tempted by the boutiques of SoHo or Madison Avenue, but at this time of year, when New York gets seriously cold (reaching minus 15C last weekend), the department store comes into its own.

Try Bergdorf Goodman (754 Fifth Avenue) for old school opulence, Barneys New York (660 Madison Avenue) if you consider Prada undies are a reasonable investment, and Henri Bendel (712 Fifth Ave), for the New York equivalent of Harvey Nichols.

For less OTT prices, try Bloomingdale’s (1000, Third Avenue) and Macy’s (151 W. 34th St) — although be warned: Macy’s claims to be the largest department store in the world, and it requires the kind of stamina that eludes jet-lagged weekend visitors.

And it’s at the department stores that you will find the best sales bargains. Offers of 75 per cent off at Barneys will still put many of its clothes beyond many budgets, but try Macy’s for a great range in jeans (DKNY £26, Polo Ralph Lauren £38, Calvin Klein £27, Tommy Hilfiger £27) and Bloomingdale’s for a fantastic sale on winter coats (one Guess sheepskin jacket, for example, was reduced by 40 per cent to £60). For year-round clothing bargains try Century 21 (22 Cortlandt St), but be prepared to rummage.

It’s worth looking for technical bargains, too. Try Circuit City (52-64 East 14th Street) for deals on computers and audio goods, and for photo and video goods, B&H Photo (420 Ninth Avenue) is the biggest and possibly the best.

WHAT ELSE? You need only spend a penny (voluntary donation) to make the most of the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s (1000 Fifth Avenue at 82nd Street, New York, www.met museum.org; closed Mondays) fantastic collection, whether you’re looking for a sphinx or one of its 30-plus Monets.

Many locals prefer the largesse of the 19th-century industrialist Henry Clay Frick. His personal collection is housed in the family’s former mansion (The Frick Collection, 1 East 70th Street, between Madison and Fifth Avenues, www.frick.org; closed Mondays).

WHERE TO STAY The New Yorker Hotel (481 Eighth Avenue, 001 212 971 0101, www.newyorkerhotel.com) is far from glamorous, but it is midtown (one block up from Macy’s) and £37 per person per night.

The brightest, shiniest newcomer on the burgeoning New York hotel landscape is the Maritime Hotel (363 West 16th Street, 242 4300, www.themaritimehotel.com). Strikingly decorated with white ceramic tiles and porthole style windows; the rooms are designed to look like ships’ cabins. Rooms from £139.

FOOD AND FUN Not only does Lombardi’s (32 Spring St) claim to be the oldest pizzeria in New York, it’s also one of the best: pretty cheap and ideally located for a bit of light relief from SoHo boutique shopping. Be warned, though — it doesn’t take credit cards. Republic (37 Union Square West) is handily situated halfway between Macy’s and SoHo, and serves fantastic noodles, fast. And, if after all that bargain hunting all you really want is a drink, take refuge in Von (3 Bleecker St) with uneven wooden floors, extensive wine list and European beers.

John W. Campbell’s former office on the ground floor of Grand Central Station, meanwhile, may not sound glamorous, but one cocktail at Campbell Apartment (15 Vanderbilt Avenue) and you’ll think you are the Great Gatsby.

NEED TO KNOW Travelbag (0870 8901459, www.travelbag.co.uk) has three nights’ room-only for £315 per person at the New Yorker Hotel. Further information: 020-7202 6368, www.nycvisit.com.

JOANNA HUNTER

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