With its charming Dutch-Colonial architecture, Oranjestad, Aruba, is a wonderful place to explore on foot.
Fort Zoutman, a restored 17th-century fort on Zoutmanstraat, is a main attraction. In 1869, the people of Aruba wanted to honor 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 Archaeological Museum of Aruba, located close to the bus station on Schelpstraat, where historic artifacts showcase the island's pre-settlement history.
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