The fifth star of 'Sex': New York City

— -- As in the Sex and the City TV series, Manhattan plays a starring role in the film version, which opens nationwide May 30.

"There could be no better advertising campaign for New York City," says Chris Heywood of NYC & Company, the city's tourism arm.

Sex and the City: The Movie promotes the city's attractions "without costing us anything," Heywood says. It even rates a special spot on NYC & Company's website, nycvisit.com/sexandthecity.

The HBO series had fans swarming to the city's Jimmy Choo shoe boutiques to totter on the pricey stilettos coveted by heroine Carrie Bradshaw. It brought aficionados to the Magnolia Bakery in Greenwich Village for melt-in-your-mouth cupcakes and to trendy bar/restaurants such as Tao New York for the series' signature Cosmopolitans.

The movie adds new locales. Without giving away key plot points, they include:

•Hotel Giraffe at 365 Park Ave. South at East 26th Street. Its Piano Suite events area was converted into Mr. Big's apartment.

•Diane von Furstenberg clothing boutique at 874 Washington St. in the Meatpacking District.

•New York Public Library on Fifth Avenue, site of wedding festivities.

•Lumi Italian restaurant, 963 Lexington Ave. at East 70th Street, where Charlotte runs into Mr. Big.

•Bryant Park, where Carrie, Miranda, Charlotte and Samantha attend Fashion Week.

•Hot Asian restaurant Buddakan, 75 Ninth Ave. at West 16th Street.

Some movie sites have been added to the 7-year-old excursions run by On Location Tours. On Location (212-209-3370; screentours.com) also plans a special May 30 tour, private screening of the film and after-party for $130 a person.

"We've added about four" locales to the $40 tour and will put on more after the movie's release, On Location marketing director Cathy Epstein says. Then, the significance of the sites can be revealed, and the suspense won't be spoiled for those wondering how Carrie and Big's story ends, she says.

Until the movie is out and fans have had a chance to see it, "we're not giving away the plot."