Aruba’s Dutch heritage is always present, and nowhere more so than in the capital of Oranjestad, characterized by pastel-colored gabled buildings and a windmill brought piece by piece from Holland, now used as a restaurant. There are four museums here open to the public: the Historical Museum, the "Rococo Plaza" Museum of Antiquities, the Archaeological Museum and the Numismatic Museum. The first is housed in the Fort Zoutman, the oldest building on Aruba (1796) with the Willem III-Tower having been added in 1868. The Bonbini Festival is held every Tuesday 1830-2030 throughout the year in the courtyard of the Historical Museum and offers the opportunity to get an insight into local customs, music and cuisine, as well as a chance to get to know the islanders. Oranjestad has a daily market in the Paardenbaai (Schooner Harbour), where traders sell fresh fish straight from the boat, and fruit and vegetables from the mainland are available. The capital is also famous for its shopping district, centered on Caya Gilberto François (Betico) Croes.
One of the roads north from the capital runs inland, passing the Bubali Bird Sanctuary. Birdwatching and natural wildlife tours, as well as archaeological and geological trips, are available in various languages.