11 Best Sights in Oranjestad and Environs, Aruba

The creators of award-winning Bodegas Papiamento Rum have set up their artisanal distillery in a beautifully renovated historic building that was once an ice factory, and you can see where the magic happens with a free walkabout. There's also a great bar for handcrafted cocktails, a fun food truck in an open courtyard, and a large cigar room. The gift shop that sells their spirits has a “Chocoglam” outlet that sells quality homemade chocolates. For one of their guided sampling experiences, you must reserve ahead: Choose from different options like express tasting tours, chocolate and rum tours, five-course gastronomic journeys, VIP tastings, or mixology classes. Though the property is secreted off a side street beside the cruise terminal, it’s hard to miss the incredible outdoor mural crafted by local artists if you wander down that way. The "Free Wi-Fi" sign outside attracts cruise passengers to venture in as well.

This delightful private-island experience encompasses all ages, even toddlers, but it has numerous adult-oriented enclaves with premium seating, beach cabanas, and big luxe cabana rentals with VIP service and private bars. They also have two flocks of flamingos in protected areas, one of which is family-friendly. All-inclusive packages include all food and drink, access to a colorful kids' water park, adult body-drop waterslides, banana boat rides, snorkel equipment, guided snorkel tours, and fun activities like salsa lessons. Additional add-ons include their signature Seatrek experience, an underwater air-helmet walk, as well as SNUBA deep-dive snorkeling, and spa services. The water taxi to the island is free, and hotel pickup and drop-off options are available. The island is completely accessible, including the water taxi, and they offer a complimentary amphibious wheelchair. The reef is home to huge, neon-blue, ever-smiling parrotfish, so bring an underwater camera!

Plaza Turismo, off Surfside Beach, is the anchor of Linear Park which, when completed, will connect both main tourist beaches along the coast by boardwalks and walking paths. The first leg is a smooth paved biking and jogging trail that runs from Downtown Oranjestad along the sea all the way to the airport. There are many cafés, bars, and snack stops along the way, and there are also fitness pit stops with free-to-use public fitness equipment. It's a popular stretch for local fun runs and fitness initiatives. The second leg begins at the Ritz-Carlton Aruba and runs toward the Malmok area all the way to Arashi Beach. Both stretches have become popular treks for electric scooter riders; there are many new app-operated rental spots. When complete, Linear Park will be the longest of its kind in the entire Caribbean.

Walking around Downtown Oranjestad, look for a blue ceramic horse and an ancient canoe out front of a massive mustard-yellow and olive-green complex. This beautifully restored heritage home was once owned by the Ecury family and it's since been transformed into an ultra-modern, air-conditioned museum with interactive exhibits showcasing over 5,000 years of Amerindian culture. More than 10,000 artifacts are on display, and special exhibits by local artists are hosted on a regular basis. For cruise visitors, it's a short walk behind the Royal Plaza Mall if you get off at that trolley stop. It's also a stop on Aruba Walking Tours.

This super-lively casino right on the waterfront, across the street from the Renaissance Marketplace, is open until 4 am. With more than 300 modern slots, four blackjack tables, Caribbean stud, roulette, and regular poker, there are also state-of-the-art race and sports book operations. The casino is behind the giant flamingo statues.

Aruba has the ideal conditions to grow the aloe vera plant. It's an important export, and there are aloe stores all over the island. The museum and factory tour reveal the process of extracting the serum to make many products used for beauty, health, and healing. Free guided tours are available in English, Dutch, Spanish, and Papiamento every 15 minutes, or you can do a self-guided walking tour after their audiovisual presentation. There's a store to purchase their products on-site, but they are also available online. Look for their reef-safe sunscreen; it's available island-wide.

One of the island's oldest edifices, Aruba's historic fort was built in 1796 and played an important role in skirmishes between British and Curaçao troops in 1803. The Willem III Tower, named for the Dutch monarch of that time, was added in 1868 to serve as a lighthouse. Over time the fort has been a government office building, a police station, a prison, and a small museum (now closed). The courtyard is where the weekly Bon Bini ("welcome") Festival takes place every Tuesday night at 6 pm.

Housed in a recently restored historic home with a lovely courtyard garden, this artisanal distillery in the backstreets of Downtown produces spirits well worth sampling and taking home as souvenirs. Beyond their signature rum and gin, they also produce a spirit made from locally grown aloe vera, as well as a tinned sparkling version of the island's famous signature cocktail, the "Aruba Ariba," using their rum. Self-guided tours are free, and there is a great bar for cocktails and a gift shop. You must reserve ahead for their special guided tour titled the “Barrell Experience,” which includes food and spirits tastings and in-depth information on their distillery process.

This 40-acre tropical oasis is accessible only to guests of the Renaissance Wind Creek Aruba Resort unless you buy a day pass (which are only available when resorts are not at full capacity). Free boat shuttles pick up nonresort guests in the lower lobby of the marina resort. Iguana Beach is family-friendly, while Flamingo Beach is limited to adults and hosts half a dozen resident flamingos. (Children may visit the flamingos for a photo op daily 9–10 am but must have an adult present.) The waters are clear and full of colorful fish; swimming/snorkeling is in a protected area, and there’s a full-service restaurant, beach bars, and waiter service on the beach. Rent a full-service cabana for more luxuries. Nonguests can book a treatment at their Okeanos Spa and gain access to the island afterward for free. Amenities: food and drink; showers; toilets; water sports. Best for: snorkeling; swimming.

The complex beside the Oranjestad marina and the park around it is the place where you're most likely to happen upon some great free entertainment, including pop-up festivals. Although there's live entertainment every night at the far end in the common area bandstand, many of the bars and cafés also have their own music. You'll also find small shops, a casino, movie theaters, a modern arcade, and virtual sports simulator suites that are all open late. Occasionally, there's a big gala music festival, and every Friday night there's a local artisans' market from 7–10 pm. It's a wonderful spot to explore in the evening to experience a truly enchanting tropical night full of colorful lights and sounds along the water. Look for the statue of giant flamingos to find it.

Part of the Renaissance Aruba Wind Creek Resort, this glittering casino evokes Monaco's grand establishments. There are lots of modern slots, table games like blackjack, roulette, Baccarat, and different types of poker. This casino is popular among cruise-ship passengers, who stroll over from the port to watch and play in tournaments and bet on sporting events. There is live music nightly from 11 pm to 3 am, except Monday.