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Archaeological Museum of Aruba
Description: Squeezed between St. Franciscus Roman Catholic Church and the parish rectory, this small museum highlights the island's Amerindian heritage. Pottery vessels, shell and stone tools, burial urns, and skulls and bones are among the artifacts on display. Pick up the museum's booklet The Indians of Aruba ($3) for a concise history of the island's original inhabitants. A must for archaeology and history buffs. The adjacent lab is ground zero for the study of Aruba's archaeological treasures.
Location: J.E. Irausquinplein 2A.
Details: Free admission.
Hours: Mon-Fri 8am-Noon and 1-4pm
Fort Zoutman, Willem III Tower, and Museo Arubano
Description: During the 18th century, Oranjestad's harbor was menaced by pirates who raided horses and anything else of value. To defend the island, the Dutch erected Fort Zoutman in 1796. Aruba's oldest example of Dutch architecture, the bastion is situated on what was once the shoreline (landfill construction in 1930 altered the coastline). In 1867, Willem III Tower, named after the then-reigning Dutch monarch, was added. Over the years, the site has served as an aloe garden, jail, courthouse, junk room, and tax office. The fort was restored in 1974, the tower in 1983. Since 1992, the complex has housed the modest Museo Arubano, which displays prehistoric Caiquetio artifacts and remnants from theDutch colonial period. On Tuesdays, from 6:30 to 8:30pm, the museum hosts the Bon Bini Festival, a fair with local arts and crafts, food, music, and dance.
Location: Zoutmanstraat z/n.
Details: Admission $1.25
Hours: Mon-Fri 9am-Noon and 1-4pm
Cas di Cultura
Description: This architectural melding of futuristic and Caribbean tropical elements is Aruba's cultural center. Programs include film screenings, lectures, dance performances, folkloric shows, and art exhibits.
Location: Vondellaan 2 (at the traffic circle off L.G. Smith Blvd. between the airport and downtown Oranjestad).
Details: Free admission.
Hours: Mon-Sat 10am-4pm, Sun 10am-2pm
Numismatic Museum of Aruba
Description: This small museum looks un promising from the outside, but its meticulous, homemade exhibits tell the history of the world through coins. Dedicated numismatists can spend the better part of the morning perusing the 35,000 specimens from more than 400 countries, but anyone with a passing interest in coins or history will appreciate this labor of love. The amazing collection was compiled by a single Aruban, who also researched and wrote the detailed historical notes for each item.
Location: Weststraat z/n, Oranjestad, next to central bus station
Details: Free admission, donations appreciated.
Hours: Mon-Fri 7:30am-3:30pm
Web Sites: http://www.museumaruba.com/
http://www.museumaruba.org/
"Rococo Plaza" Museum of Antiquities
Description: Louis XV Antiques & Curiosities can be found inside a complex built with antique building materials from the 17th century. The roof and the onion shaped towers in red copper house 23 showrooms of unusual items from Aruba and South America.
Location: Tanki Leendert 158-G.
Details: On the last Sunday of the month, local Aruban people sell their goods at a flea market. For information & free pick up from the hotels call : (297)741-5640
Hours: 9am - 5pm week days and Saturday from 10am-2pm
Aruba Aloe Balm Museum
Description: The museum exhibits the 160 years-old history of Aruba's Aloe. Watch how farmers harvest the aloe gel using century old techniques. Take a tour when visiting the island and experience the Aruba Aloe difference.
Location: Located nearby the hotel area, Pitastraat 115.
Hours: Open Monday trough Friday, 8.30 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. and Saturday, 9.00 a.m. to 1.00 p.m.
For more information visit: www.arubaaloe.com
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