Exploring Aberdeen, South Dakota – #IGTravelThursday

Last Updated on October 1, 2014 by Jody Halsted

After our fun learning about Laura Ingalls Wilder in DeSmet, the girls and I headed north- to Aberdeen, South Dakota.

Wylie Park Campground, Aberdeen, SD
Playgrounds dot the parkland around Wylie Park Campground in Aberdeen, South Dakota

We couldn't have asked for a better place to camp than Wylie Park Campground.  Play structures dot the park.  This one was just outside our camper – which meant I could watch the girls as they played from air conditioned comfort.

Just beyond the trees was the entrance to Storybook Land.

Storybook Land, Aberdeen, South Dakota
Excited to visit Storybook Land!

A free park filled with storybook characters like Jack & Jill, Jack & the Beanstalk, and an entire Yellow Brick Road leading you through the Land of Oz.  

Jack & Jill at Storybook Land, Aberdeen, South Dakota
Sliding down Jack & Jill's Hill

Sliding, climbing, swinging…  There are even 3 amusement park rides (these carry a fee)- a carousel, a train and the Yellow Brick Road ends at the Wizard's Balloon Ride.

Yellow Brick Road, Land Of Oz, Storybook Land, Aberdeen, South Dakota
Follow the Yellow Brick Road

But we didn't only play in Aberdeen…  The girls learned about other cultures here in the United States.

First at the Grassland Hutterite Colony, a completely communal colony.  The girls helped pick rows of carrots and potatoes, then we saw their industries:  custom cabinetry, custom granite, turkey and hog farming.

Hutterite Colony, Aberdeen, South Dakota
Picking carrots

It was an education for my city girls.  We also learned about Native American culture at the Native American Cultural Center and learned about Aberdeen history at the Dakotah Prairie Museum.

We also go to explore the Aberdeen Community Theater – where we found a treasure trove of costumes!

Aberdeen Community Theater
Shelves and boxes of hats!

And we got up close and personal with Sampson at Ben Victor's Studio on the NSU campus.

Sampson by Ben Victor
Isn't this just stunning?

With all the amazing things we saw you might be surprised at what my girls remember most fondly…

The Twist Cone, Aberdeen, South Dakota
Treats at the Twist Cone

Strawberry Butter – with eyes!- at the Twist Cone.

Strawberry Butter with Eyes at the Twist Cone, Aberdeen, South Dakota
Strawberry Butter with Eyes!

We had to go twice…

 You can follow Family Rambling on Instagram and be sure to click the logo below to check out more #igtravelthursday posts!

Family Rambling wants to thank Visit Aberdeen for showing us all the amazing things in Aberdeen, South Dakota!

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7 Comments

    1. alisonchino skimbaco I noticed that thre were 2 Aberdeens- right in a row- for #igtravelth. Serendipity, I guess. 🙂

  1. Looks like you had a great time, especially the kids of course! Thank you for sharing with us on #IGTravelThursday

  2. You really have found some amazing destinations for families! And I also noticed the two Aberdeen posts side by side, funny!!! 🙂

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