ABERDEEN, SD IS A BIG TRIP A SHORT DISTANCE AWAY

By Katherine Grandstrand

Aberdeen Area Convention And Visitors Bureau

There are fewer than 200 road miles between Fargo and Aberdeen, but the trip will transport you to a whole new world.

Relive your favorite nursery rhymes and fairy tales at Storybook Land, recreate Dorothy’s journey back home through the Land of Oz, live out your race car driver dreams at Thunder Road or make a big splash at the Aberdeen Aquatic Center.

Building the perfect family road trip to Aberdeen is easy.

Pick Your Accommodations

Are you a camping family, with a call to the great outdoors? Do you prefer a hotel with freshly made beds? Do you want to split the difference with a camper cabin, a rustic lodge with climate control?

Aberdeen has a variety of places to stay all over town.

Plan Your Activities

Wylie Park is not only home to Storybook Land and Thunder Road, it has more than 3 miles of paved trails, bike rentals, an observation zoo, a small lake for swimming and fishing, canoe, kayak and paddleboat rentals and event space.

The Aberdeen Aquatic Center features three full-sized waterslides, a lazy river, young child play area and eight-lane lap pool.

Whether to escape the heat or the rain, plan some indoor activities like a trip to the Dacotah Prairie Museum, Uptown Aberdeen mall, Allevity Entertainment or catch a movie at the Capitol Theatre downtown or Golden Ticket Cinema in the mall.

Plan Your Route

There are several ways to travel between Fargo and Aberdeen.

The most straight-forward route is down Interstate 29 and west on U.S. Highway 12. Drivers will encounter four lanes the entire trip.

More adventurous road trippers can plan routes that take them to unique stops along the way, like the

Plan a stop at Fort Sisseton Historic State Park and Sica Hollow State Park on your way home. Fort Sisseton is part park, part museum and has amazing programing throughout the summer. Sica Hollow is a sacred place in the Coteau Hills with amazing hikes throughout the park.

DON’T FORGET SNACKS

No road trip is complete without snacks, but road trip snacks are a different beast from regular snacks.

Think about things that can be easily vacuumed – popcorn, chips, crackers – and fruits and vegetables that don’t leave a mess behind, like carrots, apple slices, broccoli and cauliflower florets.

Try to avoid melty things like chocolate and sticky things like suckers or pop.

Pack lots of water and save those sticky or melty treats for stops along the way.

If you need more help planning your Aberdeen getaway, contact the Aberdeen Area Convention and Visitors Bureau by heading to www.visitaberdeensd.com or calling 605-225-2414.

The Downtown Fargo Street Fair is your premier summer event featuring over 200 artists, crafters, and food vendors from around the country! Admission is free and there is fun for all ages. This family friendly event is presented by the Downtown Community Partnership, and is the perfect opportunity for you to come explore the heart of Fargo and the many small independent businesses that call this neighborhood home. We are taking over 10 blocks of Downtown Fargo to allow you more room to spread out during this year’s event!

The Street Fair is a foodie paradise! Sample your favorite fair foods and pop in and out of our locally owned restaurants! With 36 food and snack vendors everyone is sure to find something to sink their teeth into! Love craft beverages? We have three local brewers, a distiller, and several Downtown bars showcasing our local flavors!

Looking for entertainment? This year we are kicking off the Street Fair with a concert in Broadway Square on Thursday night. To entertain the kids, check out the Kid’s Alley which will include a petting zoo and nature activities by the Audubon Society. The kiddos can also find a space to cool off in the Broadway Spouts! Plus catch street performers popping up throughout the fair!

What you need to know:

JULY 15TH-17TH 2021

On Broadway between Main Ave and 7th Ave

Thurs & Fri // 10AM to 9PM Saturday // 10AM to 5PM

For a parking guide, fair schedule, fair map, and a list of our vendors visit our website or follow us on social media!

WEBSITE downtownfargo.com

INSTAGRAM @downtown_Fargo

FACEBOOK @downtownfargo

Getting Around:

The Link FM Bus provided by MATBUS will provide free rides from the Moorhead Center Mall to the fair!

5 parking ramps within a minutes walk to the fair!

Ride MATBUS to the fair on their regular routes

JUNE

JUNE 24

PARK IT!

Meet the Park It! Staff at Elephant/Percy Goodwin Park and create take home arts and crafts. The fun travels to different neighborhoods throughout the summer! This event is free and all supplies are provided.

701.499.6060 | www.fargoparks.com

JUNE 29

G.O.T. (GATHERING ON TUESDAYS)

MOVIE IN THE PARK

This summer series kicks Party in the Park up a notch by pairing it with either a movie night or a fun family activity. Each Gathering on Tuesdays event starts with a party that includes a craft, a DJ and so much more! And the best part is the event is free.

All movies in the park are held at Rheault Farm and the activities are at a different park each week.

701.499.6060 | www.fargoparks.com

JULY

JULY 1

BARK IN THE PARK

Enter your dog in this fun and family focused dog show held at North Elmwood Park! Awards will be presented to winners in various categories and first place winners will compete for Best in Show!

701.433.5360 | www.wfparks.org

JULY 2

G.O.T. (GATHERING ON TUESDAYS) AT LINDENWOOD PARK

This new Summer Series pairs a movie night or a live show from a local band! Every G.O.T. event starts with a party that includes face painting, an art project, a DJ and more. This week’s event features a concert that starts at 7pm!

701.499.6060 | www.fargoparks.com

JULY 4

BONANZAVILLE 4TH OF JULY CELEBRATION

Don’t miss this Old Fashioned family celebration with fireworks, live demonstrations, train rides, horse-drawn carriage rides, a parade, old time games, costumed historical figures and so much more!

701.282.2822 | www.bonanzaville.org

JULY 4

MOORHEAD PROUD 5656 OOH & AAH FIREWORKS

The Moorhead Business Association is pleased to present the Moorhead Fireworks 5656 Ooh & Aah annual fireworks display. Join us at MSUM’s Nemzek Field House on July 4th for a concert and fireworks!

218.284.4643 | www.mhdmba.org

JULY 6

G.O.T. (GATHERING ON TUESDAYS) LEWIS & CLARK PARK

This summer series kicks Party in the Park up a notch by pairing it with either a movie night or a fun family activity. Each Gathering on Tuesdays event starts with a party that includes a craft, a DJ and so much more! And the best part is the event is free.

All movies in the park are held at Rheault Farm and the activities are at a different park each week.

701.499.6060 | www.fargoparks.com

JULY 7

MONSTROUS IMAGINATION

How big can you dream? Using nature as your inspiration, join Fargo Parks at Forest River Park to put your imagination to the test at this NEW, family-friendly STEAM focused event!

701.499.6060 | www.fargoparks.com

JULY 7

ARTNIGHT

Get out and create! Join the West Fargo Park District at Armour Park for this outdoor, all ages event. ArtNight will feature local artists, food, yard games, free youth art projects and live music.

701.433.5360 | www.wfparks.org

JULY 8

PARK IT!

Meet the Park It! Staff at Lemke Park and create take home arts and crafts. The fun travels to different neighborhoods throughout the summer! This event is free and all supplies are provided.

701.499.6060 | www.fargoparks.com

JULY 9-18

RED RIVER VALLEY FAIR

More Fun in the Sun! Free Grandstand concerts with your paid gate admission, featuring Theory of a Deadman and Kip Moore! Livestock & Horse Shows, carnival rides and much more. Be ready for 6 days of fun at the Red River Valley Fairgrounds!

701.282.2200 | www.redrivervalleyfair.com