Aruba Attractions?

[JustinCruise]

Visiting Aruba for the first time in August. Has anyone been that could give me some must see attractions/excursions/casinos? Staying for just 5 days due to work schedule so I really want to make the most of it. I am not the type that likes to lay on beach all day every day, need some activities. I don't necessarily trust tripadvisor reviews because I know how many fake ones are planted on there. Thanks in advance

 

[JudgeWapner]

Nice golf course on the North end. Also a very good Italian restaurant in the Lighthouse near there. The California Dunes in the same area are very cool, especially at night. Baby Lagoon down on the south end is a nice place to spend the day.

 

[CoachCB]

The Natalie Holloway Disappearing American Tourist Exhibit.

 

[pocketrockets]

Swimming with sharks is a must for you, just make sure you take a pee while doing so.

 

[MikeB]

The Natalie Holloway Disappearing American Tourist Exhibit.

That is so wrong but it made me LOL.

 

[tanner12oz]

Rent an SUV and hit the other side of the island..its like being on the moon compared to the hotel side.

 

[Betallsports]

Nice golf course on the North end. Also a very good Italian restaurant in the Lighthouse near there. The California Dunes in the same area are very cool, especially at night. Baby Lagoon down on the south end is a nice place to spend the day.

+1

 

[groundhog11]

Are u taking a female? If so , take her to a restaurant called passions.... Also, their are safari jeep tours...they will take u around the island,off roading some,etc...they got sunset cruise ..

 

[Betallsports]

I'll give you the BEST restaurant on the Island

madame janette

it's not a cheap place, but it's Not Overpriced ....

call ahead, and you want to be outside

 

[JustinCruise]

Are u taking a female? If so , take her to a restaurant called passions.... Also, their are safari jeep tours...they will take u around the island,off roading some,etc...they got sunset cruise ..

going with my wife

we are staying at the Hyatt and we'll be doing their pampered in paradise dining experience which from my research looks like about the same thing as passions. private dinner on the beach sort of deal


we definitely want to do a tour of some kind but we would really like it if it was an ATV type thing where we get to drive

 

[JustinCruise]

I'll give you the BEST restaurant on the Island

madame janette

it's not a cheap place, but it's Not Overpriced ....

call ahead, and you want to be outside

Thanks betall we will check it out

 

[MikeB]

going with my wife

we are staying at the Hyatt and we'll be doing their pampered in paradise dining experience which from my research looks like about the same thing as passions. private dinner on the beach sort of deal


we definitely want to do a tour of some kind but we would really like it if it was an ATV type thing where we get to drive

I rented a Jeep and went to the other side of the Island and checked out the natural bridge amongst other things. Well worth it.

We did a booze cruise too. We met some fun people and kinda brainstormed a couple of times on what we thought would be fun.

I recommend the Jeeps though.

 

[GoSooners]

The Natalie Holloway Disappearing American Tourist Exhibit.

Or the Joran van der Sloot How To Get Away With Murder museum...

 

[Willie99]

Aruba is amazing, the restaurants and the water and the climate are as good as it gets

the casinos are small, by American standards, but OK. They're just an extra benefit, but not the reason you go to Aruba

Party boats, sunset cruises, private boats, rent a car for a day and drive to baby beach and the national park (make sure you rent a jeep for off road travel)

drive to the light house, eat at the Italian restaurant Judge and BAS mentioned (again, sunset would be best)

Flying Fishbone
Barefoot (get a table in the water)
Madame Janette's
Zeerovers (fried catch of the day, no preset menu)
El Gaucho Argentinian Steakhouse (downtown)
Smokey Joes
Azzurro (nice Italian)

all great restaurants with a variety of cuisine

truth is, there are a ton of great places to eat, I'll do as many as I can when I visit

near the water, on the water, in the water......................................their seafood is the best

 

[Willie99]

I'm there 8/1 through 8/17, if you want to hook up

 

[Willie99]

PS: if you can find a popular local place, give it a try

 

[JustinCruise]

I'm there 8/1 through 8/17, if you want to hook up

Wow 16 days I'm jealous. I'd do the same if I could but with my wife and I work schedules that's damn near impossible

I get there on the 16th and leave the 22nd

I've had a ton of people recommend the barefoot restaurant you mentioned. I'll have to eat there for sure

 

[JustinCruise]

Aruba is amazing, the restaurants and the water and the climate are as good as it gets

the casinos are small, by American standards, but OK. They're just an extra benefit, but not the reason you go to Aruba

Party boats, sunset cruises, private boats, rent a car for a day and drive to baby beach and the national park (make sure you rent a jeep for off road travel)

drive to the light house, eat at the Italian restaurant Judge and BAS mentioned (again, sunset would be best)

Flying Fishbone
Barefoot (get a table in the water)
Madame Janette's
Zeerovers (fried catch of the day, no preset menu)
El Gaucho Argentinian Steakhouse (downtown)
Smokey Joes
Azzurro (nice Italian)

all great restaurants with a variety of cuisine

truth is, there are a ton of great places to eat, I'll do as many as I can when I visit

near the water, on the water, in the water......................................their seafood is the best

Thanks for the great tips

Just made my reservations for barefoot and requested a table in the water

 

[JustinCruise]

PS: if you can find a popular local place, give it a try

Willie do you know anything about Carte Blanche?



Azzuro looks great btw

 

[CHOPTALK]

A f2f with Willie and JC must happen