Eight Ethnic Neighborhoods to Visit with Your Child in New York City

1. Greek: Astoria, Queens - Enjoy a Frappe (whipped ice coffee), as you and your child people watch at a trendy Mediterranean style cafe on 30th Avenue. It is very common to see young Greek couples with strollers pulled up to the table. Top cafes include: Balu, Grand Cafe, Avenue, and Athens Cafe. Shop for honey-almond biscuits at Artopolis, and let your child play with the neighborhood kids at Athens Square Park. The park features a sculpture of Athena, which was sent as a gift from Greece. It is located on 30th Avenue and 30th Street. To end the afternoon, visit the Socrates Sculpture Garden, with its whimsical kid friendly creations and a flawless view of the Manhattan skyline.

2. Chinese: Chinatown, Lower Manhattan - Start your adventure in the heart of Chinatown, which is at Mott Street and Canal. Begin with a tapioca-bubble tea at Ten Ren's, located at 79 Mott Street. Not far, you will find the Chinatown Ice Cream Factory, at 65 Bayard Street, just off of Mott. There are many little shops along Mott, Canal and other nearby streets that sell one of a kind toys that you will only find in Chinatown. Pearl River Mart at 477 Broadway, is a large Chinese novelty store that is worth the visit. They carry musical instruments, Chinese dolls, arts & crafts supplies, decorations, traditional Chinese clothing, shoes, and much more. The Museum of Chinese in America, is located at 70 Mulberry Street (in 2009, visit them at their new location, 211-215 Centre Street). They offer events for families, which include performances, book readings, walking tours, and interactive games. If you are making your trip in early February, don't miss the Chinese New Year festivities. Here is a link to an impressive performance by the New York United Lion Dance Troupe. Submitted to Youtube by "Iopchurng." http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mCSMkv026M4

3. Indian: Jackson Heights, Queens. The center of this "Little India, " is at 74th Street and 35th Avenue. Start with a feast at the Jackson Diner, which offers a menu of individual dishes as well as their phenomenal buffet of Indian food. They are located at 37-47 74th Street. Nearby is the Patel Brothers Supermarket. Step inside, and you will feel like you have been transported across the world to India. You will find yourself surrounded by exotic produce, fresh curry leaves, perfumed rice, baked goods, and all varieties of spices. They are located at 37-27 74th Street. If your children are old enough to sit through a movie, bring them to see a Bollywood film at the Palace Theater on 37th Road. (Incidentally, Jackson Heights hosts an annual children's film festival in September. This is not an Indian film festival, but noteworthy films are featured from the United States and around the world.) Before leaving Jackson Heights, visit the Butala Emporium, at 37-46 74th Street. They have a wide selection of Indian merchandise.

4. Italian: Arthur Avenue, Bronx - This is a great area to go to after a visit to the Bronx Zoo. Bring your children to the Arthur Avenue Retail Market, at 2344 Arthur Avenue. There you will find fresh mozarella, parmesan breadsticks, italian cold cuts, cookies, cigar makers, butchers, florists and more. Since 1940, vendors have been selling their goods at this large indoor market. Afterwards enjoy a remarkable Italian lunch at Dominick's, a family friendly restaurant. They are located at 2335 Arthur Avenue.

5. Polish: Greenpoint/Williamsburg, Brooklyn - Venture up Manhattan Avenue and you will find keilbasa shops, Polish bakeries and restaurants. A dish that many children love is pierogies (polish dumplings). Order them with a side of apple sauce and sour cream for dunking. Visit Little Poland at 136 Greenpoint Avenue, or Kasia's at 146 Bedford Avenue for a good lunch. Then, take a stroll, or let your children have fun in the playground at McCarren Park, located at Nassau/Bedford Avenues, Bayard, Leonard and North 12th Street.

6. West African: West 116th Street, between Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Boulevard and Morningside Park, east of Colombia University - This section of Upper Manhattan is known as Le Petit Senegal (Little Senegal). A visit to this neighborhood is a feast for the senses. You call smell incense in the air. See recent immigrants from countries such as The Ivory Coast, Ghana, Mali and Guinea walk past you in beautiful clothing of their native countries. African languages such as Wolof is spoken on the streets, as well as French and the tongues of other West African nations. Take a walk past colorful boutiques, bakeries and restaurants. Buy your children a yard of fabric in an exotic pattern, which can be used at home for crafting. Have lunch at a West African bistro, and before you leave, get your child's hair braided and beaded in an intricate pattern at one of the many hair salons.

7. Korean: Koreatown - In the heart of Manhattan, not far from the Empire State Building, you will find Koreatown. It is located between Fifth and Sixth Avenues, around 32nd Street. Your children will enjoy watching korean dumplings being rolled from green and orange dough, at the sidewalk window of Mandoo. Apart from mouthwatering dumplings, they make delicious soups, and rice and noodle dishes. Another place on this block that your children will enjoy is Pinkberry. Their Korean recipe for frozen yogurt has drawn a following. In addition, the design of the store is modern, colorful and appealing to kids.

8. Hispanic: Loisaida, Manhattan - The neighborhood below 14th Street and East of Avenue A, has a vibrant Latino community. The area can also be referred to as Alphabet City, and is considered part of the Lower East Side, and the East Village, but the name Loisaida captures the flavor of this part of the city. "Loisaida," is derived from the deeply accented, Puerto Rican pronunciation of "Lower East Side." For May visitors, there is the Loisaida Festival and Carnival Celebration held on Loisaida Avenue (Ave. C). It takes place every Memorial Day Weekend, on Sunday. For an authentic Latin American meal, visit Casa Adela at 66 Avenue C. After lunch, bring your children to one of the beautiful community gardens in the area. Each garden is a city oasis. They are maintained by local residents and open to the public. The Children's Garden (12th Street, between Avenues B and C), Jardin de Paradiso (5th Street, between C and D), and although not considered a "community" garden, the Toyota Children's Learning Garden (603 East 11th Street) are great places to bring your children. To see a map of all the community gardens, visit: http://www.earthcelebrations.com/ .