It’s no secret that the best time to visit Macao is during autumn, between the months of September and December, when the weather is cool and the sky is mostly clear.
Not only are there numerous international events celebrating from sport, to arts and culture, this popular East Asian city also has plenty of activities for the whole family to experience and enjoy.
This makes Macao the perfect travel destination during the upcoming school holidays. With some careful planning, the whole family can get their fill of fun even in a compact 3D2N travel itinerary based around one or more key events.
Whether you are a foodie, a thrill-seeker, or a lover of arts and culture, here are the top eight experiences everyone can enjoy in Macao.
INTERNATIONAL EVENTS
18TH MACAU FOOD FESTIVAL
The Macau Food Festival brings more than a hundred famous local restaurants to showcase Macao’s unique fusion of Chinese and Western food culture together at Sai Van Lake Square, which is located near the iconic Macao Tower.
It is also the leading event in a year that has seen Macao named a Unesco City of Gastronomy.
The festival this year, with the theme ‘Happy Faces with Variety of Food, World Famous City of Gastronomy’, invites locals as well as international visitors to explore new and fun ideas in the culinary world.
There will also be game booths, live performances, and a beer competition during the festival.
Dates: Nov 9-25, 2018
Opening hours: Monday to Thursday, from 5pm to 11pm; Friday to Sunday, from 3pm to midnight
URL link: http://en.macaotourism.gov.mo/events/majorevent_detail.php?id=6
SUNCITY GROUP 65TH MACAU GRAND PRIX
The legendary Suncity Group 65th Macau Grand Prix pits the best motorcycle, WTCC, and Formula 3 racers in the world against each other in dedicated competitions along the narrow, twisting Guia street circuit of Macao city.
There will also be numerous family-friendly pre-race events, starting with the Grand Prix Family Carnival (Nov 3-4) at Tap Seac Square. Visitors can also enjoy race-themed interactive games, where they get an insight into the workings behind the Grand Prix, on and off the track.
Meanwhile, the 65th Macau Grand Prix Opening Ceremony and Auto Show (Nov 10-11) will also be showcasing the participating Macau GT Cup – FIA GT World Cup and Macau Motorcycle Grand Prix racing vehicles, allowing visitors to get a close look at them.
Then, the 65th Macau Grand Prix Celebration – Guia Circuit Fun Run (Nov 11) allows participants to run the whole length of the 6.2km track and experience its unique features for themselves, as well as win themselves commemorative medals and towels.
Finally, there is the actual Macau Grand Prix (Nov 15-18) where race fans from all over the world come to enjoy the spectacle and cheer on their favourite teams.
Dates: Nov 15-18, 2018
URL link: http://www.macau.grandprix.gov.mo
FAMILY FUN
PLANET J
Planet J Theme Park is a live-action role-playing (LARP) theme park at Sands Cotai Central, covering approximately 9,300 square metres. It houses eight gaming zones with more than 200 games, including AR & VR games.
Participants may interact or battle against other Planet J visitors or the theme park’s resident characters, in order to advance in the games. They have to be prepared to use their dexterity, intelligence, logical thinking, and body coordination to overcome the various challenges and quests presented to them in order to succeed.
Opening hours: Monday to Friday – 10am to 7pm; Saturday, Sunday and public holidays – 10am to 8pm
URL link: https://www.planetj.com/en/
GOLDEN REEL
Suspended between the twin hotel towers of Studio City at a height of 130 metres, the Golden Reel is the world’s first and Asia’s highest figure-8 ferris wheel.
It features 17 steampunk-themed cabins, each accommodating up to 10 passengers on a memorable ride around the uniquely-shaped figure-8 track.
Once aboard, you can admire the breathtaking views of the city at different angles.
Tickets can be purchased at Level 3, Studio City, Estrada do Istmo, Cotai.
Opening hours: Monday to Friday – 12pm to 8pm; Saturday, Sunday, and public holidays – 11am to 9pm
URL link: https://www.studiocity-macau.com/en/entertainment/detail/golden-reel/index.html
NATURE
ROCKSCAPE ALONG THE SOUTHERN COASTLINE OF COLOANE
Coloane houses most of the natural rockscapes of the outlying islands of Macao, with many bizarre and well-known rocks scattered across its terrain. These unique, natural formations are closely associated with the history, legends and folkways of Coloane Island.
Not only are they a part of Macao’s admirable landscape, these rockscapes are closely intertwined with traditional customs that are kept alive in the collective memories of the islanders there.
Total walking time: 1 hour and 24 minutes
URL link: https://macaostreets.iacm.gov.mo/e/culturaltraildetail/detail.aspx?id=9
GLASS SLIDING AT TAIPA GRANDE NATURE PARK
Enjoy some thrills sliding down the grass-skiing field on grass sleds at Taipa Grande Hill located at Taipa Grande Nature Park.
After that, sit down for a barbecue or picnic at the barbecue grounds that can be found at two different levels halfway up the hill. You not only get to relax among nature but also enjoy the panoramic view of the surrounding greenery and Macao International Airport down below.
Opening hours: Tuesday to Friday – 2pm to 5pm; Saturday, Sunday, and public holidays – 9am to 12.30pm and 1.30pm to 5pm.
URL link: https://m.cityguide.gov.mo/e/sightseeing/Detail/garden?id=f46bb9d3-c79b-44d6-9368-1736e239ec24
FOOD
POLI CAFÉ
If you or your little ones are fans of the adorable South Korean animated children’s TV series Robocar Poli, then this place is for you.
Poli Cafe is the biggest Poli-themed restaurant of its kind in the region, and serves up tasty, Western-Chinese dishes.
Best of all, little ones have the opportunity to meet Poli and his friends in person, and even take part in some fun games and activities. It is the perfect place for children’s birthday parties, and as a fun outing for the whole family.
Opening hours: Daily – noon to 10pm
URL link: www.facebook.com/policafemo/
HOT POT SENSATION (non-halal)
When the weather turns cold, Food Street at Broadway Macao in Cotai will warm the cockles of your heart – and your stomach – with some great hot pot food.
With over 40 restaurants in one location serving some 60 sizzling hot pot and claypot dishes, there’s plenty to choose from to cater to every palate.
Indulge in braised lamb brisket casserole, braised Chongqing spicy chicken casserole, braised frog with chilli in claypot, assorted seafood and suckling pig hot pot, braised sea cucumber and fish head with Chinese yam casserole, and more at Broadway Macao’s Food Street.
Dates: From now to Feb 28, 2019
Opening hours: Dependent upon individual restaurants
URL link: https://www.broadwaymacau.com.mo/offer/hot-pot-sensations/
