Check out a new neighborhood

BUBBLE TROUBLE Bubble tea comes in a rainbow of flavors at Saint’s Alp Teahouse in Chinatown.

Photo: Martha Williams

CHINATOWN Even picky eaters may find something to love in the bins of colorful candy at Aji Ichiban (2117 S China Pl, 312-328-9998), where tasting samples are plentiful and packaged gummy hot dogs will tickle young funny bones. Follow candy with a free tour of Golden Dragon Fortune Cookies (2323 S Archer Ave, 312-842-8199). Aren’t you sweet? Visit the riverfront Ping Tom Park (300 W 19th St) to let the kids burn through some of that sugar in the pagoda-style gazebo and bamboo garden (don’t miss the annual dragon boat race July 25). Finish your trip with bubble tea ordered from the walk-up window at Joy Yee’s Noodle Shop (2139-A S China Pl, 312-328-0001) or taro milk tea at Saint’s Alp Teahouse (2131 S Archer Ave, 312-842-1886) and a quick run around the gigantic Chinese zodiac statues (at the entrance to the Chinatown mall, 2130 S Archer Ave), where your kids can check to see if their birth year makes them an ox, rabbit or some other critter.

PILSEN The National Museum of Mexican Art (1852 W 19 St, 312-738-1503, nationalmuseumofmexicanart.org) offers free family tours and hands-on art activities on Sundays, and older kids will want to check out the street-level DJ booth at local radio station Radio Arte (1401 W 18th St). There’s no age limit on eating buñuelos, cinnamon-and-sugar-dusted tortilla chips made at Del Rey Tortillería (1023 W 18th St, 312-829-3725). While you snack, check out the neighborhood murals; our faves are at 1831 South Racine Avenue and 1645 West 18th Place. Still hungry? Nibble on tamales, elote (corn on the cob with mayo and cheese) and paletas (ice pops) from myriad street carts or visit Galería del Pastel (1236 W 18th St, 312-733-9790) for killer butter cookies.

DEVON AVENUE Take an international culinary tour on this United Nations of thoroughfares. Levinson’s Bakery (2856 W Devon Ave, 773-761-3174) has European-style kosher pastries, bagels and amazing challah bread. Argo Georgian Bakery (2812 W Devon Ave, 773-764-6322) has Eastern Euro snacks and flatbreads, including potato pies that a picky kid might eat. Sukhadia’s (2559 W Devon Ave, 773-338-5400) has Indian desserts, snacks and a cooler stocked with imported Thums Up cola; grab some samosas to go and head to nearby Indian Boundary Park (Lunt Ave and Rockwell St), where kids can watch ducks frolic in a pond while they eat.

NEXT>>