From palaces to presidios: 5 attractions to immerse yourself in the Asian and Pacific Islander experience
May is Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month. It's a time to celebrate those who descended from the Asian continent and the Pacific Islands of Melanesia, Micronesia and Polynesia.
In 2021, the celebration is particularly noteworthy amidst the increase in anti-AAPI hate crimes across the U.S.
There are many ways to recognize the rich history and culture of the generations of Asian and Pacific Islanders who have contributed to America's diversity. One of those ways is to visit one of the parks, memorials or historic sites spread across the U.S. that tell the stories of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.
While visiting a city's AAPI district (i.e. Chinatown in New York or Japantown in Los Angeles) is an easy way to experience that subgroup's culture, there are many places to immerse yourself that are under the radar.
Here are five of those lesser-known sites that you can visit this month, or any time of year.
Related: Review of Hotel 50 Bowery, a Hyatt hotel that pays tribute to its Chinatown neighborhood
Niles Canyon Transcontinental Railroad Historic District
Where is it: Between the towns of Sunol and (Niles) Fremont, California
If you've ever taken a train that crisscrosses the continental U.S., it's likely the hands of Chinese laborers that helped build it.
Completed in 1870, the Niles Canyon Historic District is the final segment of the First Transcontinental Railroad which provided the first-ever rail connection between the San Francisco Bay area and the rest of the U.S.
Thousands of Chinese laborers were forced to construct this section of the railroad and it's considered to be one of the most significant engineering achievements of the 19th century.
Today, Niles Canyon is incredibly well preserved and is a transit lover's dream. In fact, it's one of the only remaining railroad corridors that has not been substantially altered for modern transportation projects.
Related: California dreaming? 10 cool towns to visit in the Golden State
Presidio of San Francisco, CA
Where is it: San Francisco, CA
The Presidio of San Francisco, now a park, is located at the mouth of the San Francisco Bay. It's a major recreation hub with an idyllic setting near the base of the Golden Gate Bridge offering miles of trails, a golf course and various scenic overlooks.
Previously, the Presidio served as a military outpost, playing a pivotal role in the mass incarceration of Japanese Americans during World War II. In fact, this was the headquarters for the U.S. Army command responsible for forcibly removing 120,000 Japanese Americans and people of Japanese descent from their homes.
Related: 6 great road trips from San Francisco
Wing Luke Museum of the Asian Pacific American Experience
Where is it: Seattle, WA
The Wing Luke Museum is housed in a three-story building first built by Chinese immigrants in 1910. It has the distinction of being the only community-based museum in the U.S. exclusively dedicated to the history of AAPI immigrants.
Located in the heart of Seattle's Chinatown, the museum houses exhibits and art showcasing the history of immigrants to the area, including Bruce Lee memorabilia.
Seattle's Chinatown, along with the surrounding neighborhoods, eventually became one of the most diverse immigrant communities in the U.S., with people from China, Japan, Cambodia, Vietnam, Thailand, Laos, the Philippines and various Pacific Islands living together alongside African Americans.
Related: 8 fun things for families to do in Seattle
Iolani Palace
Where is it: Honolulu, HI
Hawaii was first settled by Polynesian voyagers as early as 400 C.E. before being exploited by U.S. interests in the late 1800s.
The Iolani Palace is the only royal palace in the U.S. and acts as a symbol of the former Hawaiian kingdom before U.S. forces overthrew it. The palace was the official residence of the Hawaiian Kingdom's last two monarchs: King Kalakaua and his sister and successor, Queen Liliuokalani.
The grounds around the palace are considered to be the site of an ancient heiau (place of worship). Today, the palace has been partially restored including the first and second floors, which are open to the public.
Related: I visited a reopened Kauai in Hawaii — 5 things to know before you go
Butte-Anaconda Historic District, Montana
Where is it: Butte, Anaconda and Walkerville, Montana
In its heyday in the early 1900s, this area of Montana produced one-third of the entire world's copper and was one of the centers of the U.S. labor organizing movement.
Chinese immigrants played a huge role in mining, with their arrival in the Butte area in 1868. However, they were eventually forced out of the industry, as economic depression heightened anti-Chinese sentiment. As a result, Chinese immigrants began opening various businesses -- from noodle parlors to laundry establishments -- to support the local community (and themselves). Thus, a Chinese enclave began to form.
Today, the Butte-Anaconda Historic District is a well-preserved reminder of the town's mining prosperity and highlights the Asian experience in Montana.
Interestingly, the Pekin Noodle Parlor in Butte is not only still in the original building, but it's also considered the oldest continuously operating Chinese restaurant in the U.S.
Related: 6 of the best Colorado ski towns
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits.Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits.Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.