With its charming Dutch-Colonial architecture, Oranjestad, Aruba, is a wonderful place to explore on foot.
In Wilhemina Park, on the waterfront next to Renaissance Marketplace, is a statue of Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands. On her birthday (30 April), Arubans put flowers at its base.
Across the street is Fort Zoutman, a restored 17th-century fort on Zoutmanstraat. In 1869, the people of Aruba wanted to honor Wilhemina's father, William III, then king of the Netherlands, on his birthday. So they built the stone William III Tower at the fort. They topped it with a lighthouse instead of a candle. Unfortunately, William III had more pressing business at home and never did visit Aruba.
While you're downtown, stop at the Aruba Numismatic Museum, also known as Mario's Worldwide Coin Collection. Also, walk over to the Archaeological Museum of Aruba.
