The history of Macau dates back to the sixteenth century and is rich with interesting tidbits.  More information on the history of the area is available online at http://www.tripadvisor.com/Travel-g29... .  This history is restored and opened for exploration by travelers in the many museums of Macau.  Some of the top choices for museums to visit include:

• Fortaleza do Monte ( http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction... ) is an ancient military fort which contains the Macau Museum.
• Grand Prix Museum ( http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction... ) is a specialty museum which adds an interesting bit of character to the area.
• Macau Museum of Art ( http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction... ) is an art and cultural center which offers visitors a visual exploration of the complex history of the area.  There are long standing exhibits as well as changing exhibits making it possible to enjoy this museum on a first trip to Macau as well as on any subsequent trips to the area.
• Maritime Museum ( http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction... ) provides information about the history of the sea in the Macau area.
• Pawn Shop Museum ( http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction... ) is an unusual place where visitors may enjoy spending a few hours.
• Wine Museum ( http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction... ) is enjoyed by enophiles as well as those merely interested in wine production.
• Taipa Houses Museum, comprising a row of four beautifully restored Portuguese style dwellings which contain artifacts and costumes showcasing the lifestyles of Portuguese people living in Macau in the early 20th century.
• Cotai History Museum, near the old Taipa Village, which has exhibits tracing the development of Taipa Island, Coloane Island and the reclamation project linking these two islands (the Cotai Strip).

More information about attractions in the area can be found by visiting http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction... .

An article on Macau's attractions would not be complete without mentioning the casinos that have made the city famous and prosperous. It is the only city in Asia that never sleeps, and is often referred to as the Las Vegas of the East. There are more than thirty casinos in this former Portuguese enclave, and all of them operate 24/7. Big name players in Las Vegas have established a sizable presence in Macau over the past couple of years - Sands, Wynn, the Venetian and the MGM Grand have brought Vegas glitz and glamour to Macau, transforming the casino scene overnight. The Venetian Macau has surpassed its Las Vegas counterpart in terms of its size and gaming variety. Even the grand old dame Lisboa has reinvented itself in the form of the Grand Lisboa which is set to begin operations in 2008. Whereas the old style casinos sought to provide slot machines and a variety of table games, the new Vegas style casinos boast of shows and events that seek to attract visitors who are not interested in casino games as well. The Venetian Macau is a thematic attraction in itself with three indoor canals and gondola rides with serenading boatmen to boot. It also has the biggest selection of stores under one roof in Macau to draw shoppers. The Wynn has two world-class multimedia shows to attract non-gaming visitors - an outdoor fountain show on the edge of the lake and an indoor rotunda show, where the ornate golden ceiling opens to reveal a chandelier that descends to meet a life sized 'prosperity tree' that emerges from the basement. These attractions draw busloads of mainlander tourists and many daytrippers from nearby Hong Kong to this bustling city even on weekdays.