Asian American and Pacific Island cultures have made major contributions to the history, innovation and arts in the U.S. We can honor that history by observing AAPI Heritage Month, which began as a week-long celebration during the administration of President Jimmy Carter in 1978. It wasn’t until 1992 that AAPI Heritage Month was celebrated in May.

Travel is a great way to mark AAPI Heritage Month. Visit these East Coast and West Coast cities for AAPI Heritage Month to explore history, support AAPI-owned businesses, and immerse yourself in local culture:

1. San Francisco

The San Francisco Bay area is rich in AAPI cultural heritage sites. Visit the Angel Island Immigration Station museum to learn about the discrimination and other hardships faced by early Asian American immigrant communities, and their resilience. Angel Island is known as the Ellis Island of the West Coast.

Stroll through the Hakone Estate and Gardens, one of the oldest residential-style Japanese gardens open to the public in the Western Hemisphere, designed in the early 1900s.

Eat your way through San Francisco Chinatown, the oldest Chinatown in North America. Pick up a Chinatown Tasty Award Passport to commemorate your visit with stamps earned at award-winning restaurants.  

Visit the Asian Art Museum to view giant installations by Osaka-born, Berlin-based artist Chiharu Shiota. The walk-through works of art explore Shiota's experience as a resident of "two home countries."

2. Los Angeles

The L.A. Thai Town is the only officially recognized Thai town in the United States, and L.A. is home to the largest population of Thais outside of Thailand.

Immerse yourself in Thai culture for AAPI Heritage Month. Visit the locally loved Sapp Coffee Shop. “The soups here are extremely authentic – they taste just like what you would order on the streets of Bangkok,” writes Dave’s Travel Corner.

Historic Filipino Town is another incredible L.A. cultural enclave. You’ll know you’ve arrived when you pass under the Historic Filipino Town Gateway, which spans Beverly Boulevard.

“This small neighborhood often gets overlooked by tourists, but it’s brimming with delicious eateries, historic landmarks, and cute coffee shops that are totally worth checking out,” writes Jen on the Run.  

3. New York

The largest concentration of Chinese Americans calls New York City home.

Visit Manhattan Chinatown to explore historic Mott Street, "clearly part of the modern heart of Manhattan’s Chinatown," writes City Lore. "Visitors can find a thriving marketplace where sidewalks are lined with brightly colored awnings and bulk bins of richly hued fruits and vegetables, grains and seafood."

An ideal afternoon would be relaxing at Nom Wah Tea Parlor after taking in the sights on bustling streets or walking through the galleries of the Museum of Chinese in America.

Brooklyn and Flushing are also home to well-established Chinatowns that are less touristed. Visit The New World Mall and Golden Mall food courts for authentic, regional cuisine.

Satisfy your sweet tooth and get your caffeine fix at Fay Da, Tai Pan, and Mai La Wai bakeries, or Kam Hing Coffee Shop.

4. Seattle

Asian American communities in Seattle, the largest city in Washington, have shaped urban life in the area since the 19th century. The Chinatown-International District is home to vibrant Chinese, Japanese and Filipino communities. The city also has a large Samoan population.

Head to one of the many AAPI Heritage Month celebrations hosted throughout the city, including programming by the Seattle Aquarium, Pacific Bonsai Museum, Seattle Art Museum and more.

Visit the Wing Luke Museum, a Smithsonian Institution affiliate and the only pan-Asian Pacific American community-based museum in the United States.

5. Washington D.C.

If you’re headed to D.C.’s Chinatown, be sure to stop for a photo in front of the ornate Friendship Archway, which has a place in D.C. history. Though D.C. has a smaller Chinatown than many large metros, there is still plenty of incredible cuisine.

Grab lunch at Tiger Dumplings, which received this glowing Yelp review:

"Great spot for dumplings hands down. The soup dumplings were among some of the best. I was surprised that they were good as Chinatown in NYC. But DMV has arrived." Some other great spots include China Boy, Reren Lamen & Bar, and Da Hong Pao.

Head to the National Museum of Asian Culture and Art for the month-long IlluminAsia Festival. Watch live performances at the Eastern Market every Friday in May, including Taiko drummers and a Lions Dance show.

Don’t forget to pack travel insurance

Travel delays and emergencies can be costly. Travel insurance with trip cancellation benefits can make the difference between losing the money you invested in your trip or postponing for a better day.

Let’s say your flight is cancelled due to an unforeseen weather event. An Allianz Travel Insurance plan with trip cancellation benefits may help by reimbursing certain non-refundable expenses, such as hotel and airline costs. 

As part of our wide-ranging list of benefits, many of our plans also offer baggage protection benefits that can reimburse certain non-refundable expenses if your baggage is damaged, delayed or stolen.  

Get a quote today to learn how we can help you travel with more peace of mind.

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