If you find yourself in Aberdeen, South Dakota, during the summer months, you’re bound to have some fun! Here are the best things to do in the Hub City!
Winters are long and cold in South Dakota, but summers are the perfect time to get out and explore. Aberdeen is no exception! You’ll find there are plenty of things to see, do and eat in Aberdeen!
About Aberdeen, SD
Located in Northeast South Dakota, Aberdeen is a small rural city of about 30,000 people. Known as the Hub City, Aberdeen is about three hours north of Sioux Falls, S.D., and two and a half hours south of Fargo, N.D.
Aberdeen, S.D. is known as a great central location for avid outdoorsmen and women looking for a headquarters for their hunting and fishing expeditions. Aberdeen is also a great location to bring your family for a day trip or longer. Travel from Sioux Falls to Aberdeen is under three hours, and travel from Fargo to Aberdeen is also under three hours, so its an easy day trip drive!
Many may not consider a quiet, rural city a hub of entertainment, but Aberdeen is known as the Hub City, and boasts quite a few things to do for families, couples, and individuals!
What to Do in Aberdeen
There are plenty of fun and unique experiences to take in while visiting Aberdeen, South Dakota. Here is a list of some of our favorite things to do in Aberdeen, S.D. in the summer.
Visit Wylie Park and Storybook Land
Do you need things to do with your kids in Aberdeen, S.D? Wylie Park and Storybook Land are the perfect family-friendly adventures for you and your kiddos! Wylie and Storybook Land are probably the two most recognizable landmarks in Aberdeen–and for good reason.
Located just off of Highway 281 in the northwest corner of town, Wylie Park and Storybook Land offer a one-stop shop for outdoor entertainment.
Camping, fishing, trails, mini-golf, go-carts, and paddleboards are amenities found at Wylie Park, while a petting zoo, a small adventure park with amusement rides, and even a castle can be found at Storybook Land. If traveling with your family, I recommend checking out the train ride through Storybook Land to see the whole park at once!
The parks are open year-round, but the rides, train and concessions in Storybook Land are open Memorial Day to Labor Day.
Also located near Wylie and Storybook Land is Thunder Road Family Fun Park. Thunder Road is a miniature golf and go-kart park that offers more fun for all ages.
Play Frisbee Golf at Three Different Courses
If you’re a frisbee golf novice, or even an advanced player, there are multiple courses around Aberdeen for you to enjoy.
Melgaard Park on the south end of Aberdeen houses a frisbee golf course close to Northern State University, and also has tons of other amenities like basketball court, tennis courts, sand volleyball, playground equipment and camping spots with hook-ups. The old Presentation College campus houses the other course on the north end of town, and also has a fitness center that is open to the public for a small daily admission fee.
The third course can be found at scenic Richmond Lake, just 20 minutes outside of Aberdeen. No equipment? No worries! You can rent disc golf equipment from the state-run recreation center, and you can also rent other equipment like kayaks, fishing poles, lawn games and more.
Bike, Walk or Run through Aberdeen
Aberdeen has an impressive city-wide trail system, the Moccasin Creek Trail, that extends from the north edge of town to the south edge of town. North-to-south, the paved trail is just around three miles long, is well maintained and can be used for biking, running, or walking. Much of the trail is tree-lined making it nice and cool in the heat of the summer.
You can find details on all the trails in and around Aberdeen, SD by clicking here.
Enjoy Watersports at Mina or Richmond Lake
If you find yourself looking for things to do in Aberdeen, S.D. in the summer, you can head out of town and get on the water at Mina Lake or Richmond Lake.
Mina Lake offers a State Recreation Area that includes campsites, camping cabins, picnic areas, kayak and fishing pole rentals.
Richmond Lake has plenty of multi-use trails around the lake offering great views of the water.
Both lakes boast restaurants, and public water access to launch your boats, jet skis or any other watercraft.
Shop at Antique Stores
While there are not a lot of people in Aberdeen and Northeast South Dakota, there are an abundance of fun antique stores to explore!
In Aberdeen, some of the best antique and treasure stores to check out are Red’s Market in the Red Rooster, the Hitchin’ Post Western Store (which is an awesome western store to check out anyway; the back of the store is all antiques! It’s so cool!), or head an hour east of Aberdeen to Fritz’s Furniture and Antiques in Bristol, SD. It’s worth the drive!
Take in a Performance or Movie at the Capitol Cinema
If it’s hot outside the Capitol Cinema on Main Street offers cool relief in a nostalgic venue. The Capitol Cinema is one-screen theater that will take you back in time with its historic and vintage touches.
The Cinema runs as a non-profit so monetary gifts are accepted and concessions are offered with free-will donation pricing.
Between musicals and plays performed by local volunteer talent, and current film showings, you’re sure to find something entertaining. View the cinema’s current schedule by checking out their website.
Listen to Free Downtown Aberdeen Concerts
If you’re visiting Aberdeen, SD in the summer, you’ll have the chance to take in some live entertainment downtown. At least once a month, the Aberdeen Downtown Association hosts a concert as a part of their Summer Concert Series.
These free concerts are family-friendly; traffic is blocked for the evening, and vendors, food trucks and local businesses all partake in the festivities.
Other live music is offered by the Aberdeen Downtown Association throughout the summer, so make sure to check out their website to keep up to date.
Where to Stay in Aberdeen, S.D.
Aberdeen hosts multiple high school state tournaments every single school year, so there are plenty of great hotels to choose for accommodations. My recommendation is to ditch the chain hotels and go for the Alonzo Ward Hotel.
The Alonzo Ward is a recently restored historic boutique hotel that was built in 1928. After years of playing host to numerous businesses as well as apartments, the Ward was restored to its glory in 2022. Now the boutique hotel is a cornerstone of Downtown Aberdeen. It’s charm and elegance are a must-experience while visiting!
Best Places to Eat and Drink in Aberdeen, S.D.
Aberdeen has a few great local restaurants that Aberdeen natives adore, and visitors leave loving as well. Here are some of the most iconic Aberdeen restaurants to check out on your next visit to the Hub City.
Sammy’s
The best breakfast restaurant in Aberdeen, S.D., is hands-down, Sammy’s Restaurant & Omelets Shop. This restaurant is the epitome of a home-cooked breakfast spot.
We love going to Sammy’s on Saturday mornings for their two egg breakfast and their MASSIVE caramel rolls. They are so delicious!
The Market on the Plaza
Coffee beans roasted on site, a menu curated by a licensed nutritionist, rotating regionally-brewed beers on tap, South Dakota-made gifts, and a bright, airy, welcoming space can all be found at the Market on the Plaza.
322
322 has become a staple of Aberdeen’s main street with an exceptional menu and unique cocktails, there is something to satisfy everyone’s taste buds.
The seasonal menu at 322 changes quarter or so, and features flavors of the season like fall cocktails or summer main dishes. If you don’t want to order off the seasonal menu, I recommend trying the sticky chicken and noodles or one of the bruschetta boards.
Twist Cone
One thing you must do if you visit Aberdeen, SD, is get yourself a soft-serve cone from the famous Twist Cone. Located on North Third Street, Twist Cone has been an Aberdeen staple for over 50 years. On any given evening in the summer, it's common to see the line for ice cream all the way to the road. But don't be dismayed, the line moves very quickly, and the short wait is worth it!
We recommend trying Twist Cone's flavor of the week, or the restaurant's namesake, the chocolate-vanilla twist cone!
One-Legged Pheasant
Another great local business to visit is the One-Legged Pheasant. Located on South Main Street, the One-Legged Pheasant is brewery that offers a great variety of beverages from IPAs, to porters, to lagers and seltzers. There is something on-tap (and brewed in-house) for everyone!
If you get hungry during your visit, you can order a pizza from another local business–Jimmy’s Pizza, and it will be delivered to your table quickly and taste delicious!
Red Rooster
If you need a morning cup of coffee or an afternoon pick-me-up, check out the Red Rooster on Main Street–this coffee shop is unique in that it doesn’t just serve coffee; it’s a used book store, a space for working and conversations, readings and concerts, and is full of treasures from vendors for you to peruse and purchase.
From vinyl records, to antiques, to vintage clothing, The Red Rooster is packed with treasures and finds that are fun to discover. Grab a latte and stroll through!
Maverick’s
South Dakota is farm and ranch country, and Maverick’s is the perfect spot to enjoy a home-grown steak. Known for delicious steaks and barbeque, Maverick’s is a great local dinner option after a day of exploration.
We love to share the barbeque platter or The Maverick steak. Don’t forget to grab the Moo Shoo egg rolls for an appetizer! They’re a local favorite that originated at a now-closed downtown restaurant–Aberdeen just couldn’t let them go (and for good reason)!
There are so many great things to do in Aberdeen, SD, in the summer, and we hope this list helps you plan your next trip! Tell us what you love to do in Aberdeen in the comments!
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