Many of the buildings in King William's town date back to the Frontier Wars and the Amatola Museum displays the life and times in the town during that era. The museum also holds the second largest mammal collection in Africa, including the body of Huberta - the much loved hippopotamus who walked more than 1500 km from KwaZulu Natal to the Eastern Cape in the early 1900s, only to be shot dead by hunters one month later.

King William's town is well worth a visit for its natural beauty too. In spring, the jacarandas come into flower, lining the streets. The Rooikrans and Maden Dams, near King William's town, are wonderful places for fishing and water sports and some very popular Amatola Mountain hiking routes start in the area. The botanical gardens are also worth a visit.