Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) culture is vibrant and an important yarn in the tapestry of America. AAPI Heritage Month, held each May, celebrates these special cultures through a variety of events. Many cities have large AAPI populations, where shops, restaurants and residents share their backgrounds with the world, and these cities are ablaze with festivities throughout May. With more and more institutions offering interactive learning opportunities, people can be inspired by these traditions year-round, but especially during AAPI Heritage Month. This is just one example of the many amazing activities visitors can experience.

  America is lucky to have a paradise like the Pacific Islands in its beautiful and diverse land. The people of Hawaii, Guam, American Samoa and the Northern Mariana Islands pay tribute to their heritage in food, clothing, music and daily life. Every destination has a culture, with local heritage sites, institutions and festivals keeping the custom alive and waiting for you to discover.The Island of Hawaii offers numerous opportunities to enjoy natural beauty and experience island culture. Hawaiians hold festivals throughout the year to commemorate their ancestors, and visitors are welcome to watch and participate. In Honolulu, visit the Bishop Museum, where exhibits highlight local Hawaiian traditions, followed by Iolani Palace, the royal palace of Hawaii’s last monarch. On Guam territory, you can sample local cuisine, shop for traditional crafts at the Chamorro Village Market, and visit the Guam Museum to view well-preserved crafts and exhibits.

In the Northern Mariana Islands, festivities at tourist spots like Reti Dean Beach and Tumon Bay pay homage to colorful fashion, and petroglyphs at Kalabera Cave continue to surprise visitors. The South Pacific Islands of American Samoa have unparalleled natural beauty, such as the American Samoa National Marine Sanctuary and National Park. Don’t forget to visit the capital, Pago Pago, and visit the Jean P. Haydon Museum here to learn about the history. Take part in specially designed activities about the territory; then, head to Fagatogo Market to taste delicious local seafood served on traditional plates.

  Beginning in the mid-19th century, immigrants from across the Pacific began to settle in the United States, from California to Washington state. Enjoy special cultural cuisine, music and festivals at these vibrant spots. San Francisco’s Chinatown is one of the oldest in the Western Hemisphere. Browse the shop-lined streets and immerse yourself in the 18,000 masterpieces at the Asian Art Museum, then learn about the history of Chinese immigration at the Chinese Historical Society of America Museum. In the Los Angeles area, countless cultural attractions and experiences can be found in Chinatown, Little Tokyo, and Koreatown. Los Angeles’s Chinese American Museum, Japanese American National Museum, and Korean American National Museum showcase rich culture, while the area’s vibrant Middle Eastern grocery stores and markets offer Dishes that excite people, they all touch the human soul. Head all the way north to Seattle, Washington State, and enlighten your soul by participating in various celebrations and art exhibitions at the Seattle Asian Art Museum and the Wing Luke Museum, which collects pan-Asian exhibits.

Like the West Coast, the East Coast of the United States hosts AAPI celebrations year-round and is home to many important historical sites. Chinatowns in Baltimore, Maryland, and Washington, D.C., are filled with historical sites and delicious food. New York City has the largest Chinese population outside of Asia, so the Museum of Chinese in America is an ideal first stop before heading to all 12 of New York City’s Chinatowns, which span five neighborhoods. Other institutions hosting AAPI celebrations in New York City are the India Heritage Museum in Macedonia and the Asia Society and Museum in Manhattan, both of which are not to be missed. Head south to the Asian American Center in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, where you can explore Asian American race, culture and history. Stroll through six beautiful Japanese gardens in Delray Beach, Florida, and join in a celebration of Japanese culture at the Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens.

  Celebrations and institutions honoring Asian American and Pacific Islander heritage can be found throughout the United States. Chicago, New Orleans, Detroit, Cleveland, and Houston all have many vibrant areas, in addition to several other cities and towns. Dearborn, Michigan is home to one of the largest Arab-American communities in the United States and is filled with authentic restaurants, museums, and events celebrating Arab heritage. You can delve deeper into Asian art and beliefs at the Lentz Center for Asian Culture in Lincoln, Nebraska, and the Crow Museum of Asian Art in Dallas, Texas. Chicago’s Devon Avenue features an international market lined with Indian, Bangladeshi, Southeast Asian, Middle Eastern and Pakistani restaurants and shops. Learn about the Chinese experience in the South at the Mississippi Delta Chinese Heritage Museum in Cleveland, Mississippi. The final stop is the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center, an immigration museum that hosts celebrations at various tourist destinations across the United States.