Art lovers check out masterworks at the Harlem Studio Museum, which is the first stop on the ArtCrawl trolley tour. (Zalcman, Daniella/Zalcman, Daniella)
 
Memo to tourists: New York is — thankfully — not just Midtown Manhattan.

Indeed, visitors should remember there are five varied boroughs to explore and celebrate. And who's a better guide than New York's Hometown Paper — and its dozen reporters who cover the Bronx, Queens, Brooklyn, Staten Island and uptown Manhattan every day? Here's a list of places to go and things to see.

BROOKLYN

1. The City Reliquary
   All the quirkiest pieces of New York City history under one roof. Statue of Liberty postcards, terra-cotta fragments of landmark buildings, subway tokens, geological core samples, paint chips from the L train — and these are just some of the items on display.
2. Prospect Park Central Park's better half is full of activities, including horseback riding and an amazing newly opened ice-skating rink.
3. Brooklyn Museum The 560,000-square-foot Beaux Arts-style building is one of the largest museums in the world. In addition to a renowned collection of Egyptian Art and European paintings, current exhibits include a retrospective on the work of fashion designer Jean Paul Gaultier.
4. Brooklyn Bridge The 19th entury landmark connects the once-independent cities of New-York and Brooklyn. The longest suspension bridge in the world when constructed in 1883, the bridge provides some of the most spectacular views of the city. Best to walk from Manhattan to Brooklyn, then get pizza at Grimaldi's.
5. The Brooklyn Heights Promenade There's no better view of Lower Manhattan than from the elevated walkway along the Brooklyn Heights waterfront.
6. Borough of neighborhoods More than any other borough, Brooklyn is a city of neighborhoods. Farther out in the borough, take a Williamsburg/Bushwick tour. Start off in trendy shops in Williamsburg, including Malin Landaeus and Bird for refurbished and fashionable clothes, and Catbird for vintage jewelry. Roberta's Pizza in Bushwick is the place to refuel. When in Red Hook, try wine-tasting at Red Hook Winery, dining at the outdoor terrace at Fairway Market, a slice from Steve's Authentic Key Lime Pie and then stop at the quirky stationery store Foxy & Winston on Van Brunt St. to complete the trip. In Park Slope, stroll along the array of boutiques, restaurants and bars along the two main thoroughfares, Fifth and Seventh Aves. Stop at only-in-Brooklyn highlights like Brooklyn Superhero Supply Co., which celebrates all things superhero. The neighborhood is chock-a-block with great architecture — and you can see firsthand why Mayor de Blasio wrestled with whether to move out of his home here on 11th St. Within walking distance: the Brooklyn Museum, the borough's main public library branch and Barclays Center.

QUEENS

1. Queens Museum
   The newly renovated museum is adjacent to the famous Unisphere from the 1964 World's Fair. Current exhibitions include thousands of objects from the 1939 and 1964 fairs, and Mexican artist Pedro Reyes' "The People's United Nations" sculptures, preaching world peace.
2. American Museum of the Moving Image
   Queens' place in movie history is secure thanks to this standout shrine to film, television and digital media. The main exhibit features 1,400 artifacts and clips of films from "Nanook of the North" to "Black Swan." Super Bowl visitors will appreciate the "Madden NFL" exhibit, which features five editions of the video game classic. After, head to Break Bar & Billiards for pool or Louisiana fare at Sugarfreak.
3. The best Chinatown Flushing wasn't the first, but it's now the city's best Chinatown. There are plenty of shops and eats along these bustling streets. Gems include the Northern Chinese mecca Yi Lan Halal and the surprising mix of flavors at Hunan Kitchen. Get sensory overload in the open storefronts on Main St. or go indoors to New World Mall, where the food court is a destination in itself.
4. Forest Hills The borough's premier residential and shopping district has 200 shops and restaurants of every variety on Austin St. and Continental Ave.Kids or the young at heart will appreciate the spectacle and variety of sweets at Emily's Sugar Rush. The style-savvy can find new digs at trendy boutiques like DivaNY or Magic Corsets & Lingerie. For food, try the wine and cheese at Keuka Kafe, the classic slices of Gloria Pizza, or any of the Turkish, Mexican and Thai restaurants dotting Eatery Row.
5. MoMA PS1 This contemporary art space anchors the new hub in Long Island City. The museum specializes in live events like a performance by Sonic Youth singer Kim Gordon for the non-tailgating crowd on Feb. 2, and multimedia exhibitions like the current surprising (and sometimes not child-friendly) installations of Mike Kelley.
6. Louis Armstrong House Celebrate one of the great American musicians right in the middle-class home he cherished in Corona. Just a subway ride away, it's must-see for his fans — and a surprisingly insightful look at mid-20th-century life for almost anyone. Take a tour of the small, full-of-personality structure and listen to Armstrong's jaunty singing while standing next to his desk. Pick up a CD or book in the little gift shop.

BRONX

1.  New York Botanical Garden and Bronx Zoo
   Come for the flora, stay for the fauna. The Botanical Garden's newest installation, "Tropical Paradise," showcases plants from around the world. After, cross the street to the Bronx Zoo, one of the best zoological parks in the world.
2. The Bronx Documentary Center
   Part gallery, part movie house, this offbeat art center is home to avant-garde documentary programming from both well-known and upcoming artists and filmmakers. The latest exhibition, "Too Young to Wed," chronicles the lives of child brides from around the world.
3. The Bronx Beer Hall
   There are plenty of places to grab a brew in the big city, but only one is in the heart of Arthur Ave., New York's real Little Italy. Sit back and sip a brew surrounded by authentic Italian-American eateries, bakeries and butchers.
4. Andrew Freedman Home
   A former retirement home for wealthy seniors, this luxurious mansion on the famed Grand Concourse is as diverse as the borough itself. This center for art, culture and creativity is just a block from the Bronx Museum of the Arts.
5. Poe Cottage
   Feeling eerie? Stop by the farmhouse where Edgar Allan Poe wrote the classic poems "Annabel Lee," "The Bells" and "Eureka." The ever-restless Poe brought his ailing wife Virginia to the borough in 1844 for the country air. The bed she died in is still here.

UPTOWN MANHATTAN

1. The Apollo Theater
   This world-renowned music hall on 125th St. is at the historic center of New York's African-American community. Back in the day, the Apollo hosted legendary entertainers Billie Holiday, James Brown, Duke Ellington and the Temptations. It will celebrate the Super Bowl next week with events that include gospel, jazz and R&B.
2. Studio Museum in Harlem
   The Studio Museum opened in 1968 and showcases masterpieces from artists of African descent. Increasingly it's an artistic focal point in the city.
3. Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture
   The Schomburg is one of the leading institutions that focus on African-American, African Diaspora and African experiences. Its latest exhibition is "Motown: The Truth Is a Hit."
4. Fort Washington Park
   In the heart of Washington Heights, the park is home to Manhattan's only lighthouse — also known as the Little Red Lighthouse (yes, from the children's book). Parkgoers here can catch amazing views of the New Jersey Palisades and the George Washington Bridge.
5. Dining
   Wine, dine and listen to live music at the Red Rooster. The comfort food eatery is the brainchild of Andrew Chapman and chef Marcus Samuelsson. And if you're in Harlem, you have to eat at the ultimate Southern food shrine, Sylvia's. Try the fried catfish and smothered pork chops.

STATEN ISLAND

1. Staten Island ferry
   Here's the best way to find stunning views of the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island and the skyscrapers along lower Manhattan — and it's free. The five-mile journey is covered in just 25 minutes.
2. Historic Richmond Town
   The city's only historic village features 28 buildings, some dating back to the 17th century. The modern-day reality: a series of workshops and reenactments, which add to the authenticity.
3. Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden
   The former home for retired sailors is now an arts complex of 28 buildings. The Music Hall — it's like having a Carnegie Hall on Staten Island — will feature "Cabaret" in March, but visitors now can enjoy always-changing visual art exhibitions and the stunning grounds. The New York Chinese Scholar's Garden, which opened in 1999, draws tourists from around the world.

BEST CHEESECAKE

New York's signature desserts are the cheesecake and the black and white cookie. But there is so much controversy over the cookie, that, to keep the peace, we offer a definitive cheesecake list:

1. Two Little Red Hens Bakery,
   1652 Second Ave.
   This Upper East Side bakery serves a cheesecake with a browned top and thick graham cracker crust. Plan ahead: it takes 24 hours to set, so there are usually no slices available on Monday and Tuesday mornings.
2. S&S Cheesecake, 222 W. 238th St., Bronx
   Ring a bell to gain entrance at this Kingsbridge bakery, which for more than 60 years has sold cheesecake right out of the kitchen.
3. Michael's Pastry Shop, 2929 Avenue R, Brooklyn
   The cheesecakes at this Midwood shop are covered in a sweet glaze and served with strawberry topping.
4. Eileen's Cheesecake, 17 Cleveland Place
   This SoHo shop sells a dizzying array of flavors, including Salted Carmel and Red Velvet.
5. Junior's Cheesecake, 386 Flatbush Ave. Ext., Brooklyn
   Junior's is a Brooklyn institution that ships cheesecake across the country. P Diddy notoriously sent contestants on "Making the Band" on a walk across the Brooklyn Bridge to grab the sweet treat.