Aberdeen, S.D., is having a milestone year — and families are invited to put their stamp on Aberdeen.

This summer marks the golden anniversary of Storybook Land, a place where generations of kids have wandered straight into the pages of their favorite fairy tales. If Aberdeen isn’t already on your Upper Midwest family road-trip radar, it should be.

The state’s third-largest city blends small-town warmth with big-time fun, offering standout dining, a lively downtown and some of the best city parks you’ll find anywhere in the region.

Aberdeen is where core memories are made. Little ones feel like the world was designed just for them, while older kids can branch out in search of bigger adventures.

At the heart of it all is Storybook Land. Here, nursery rhymes and fairy tales spring to life in colorful, larger-than-life scenes. Kids can set sail with Captain Hook, huff and puff alongside the Three Little Pigs, or climb and slide through the old woman’s famous shoe.

Fans of “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz,” which was first published 125 years ago, can follow the Yellow Brick Road through the Land of Oz, reliving Dorothy’s journey from the Kansas plains to the Emerald City. Visitors are wise to keep an eye out for the Wicked Witch of the West and her mischievous flying monkeys.

Beyond Storybook Land, Wylie Park stretches out with camping areas, miles of paved recreation trails, and a zoo where bison, elk, and goats are always a hit. Friendly but fast-paced competition awaits at Wylie Thunder Road or enjoy a more relaxed challenge with 18 holes of Thunder Mountain Mini Golf.

When temperatures rise, water is never far away. Wylie Lake features a swimming beach, paddleboats and kayaks, while the Aberdeen Aquatic Center features waterslides and pools right in town.

Arrive by Thursday evening on a summer weekend and you can cap off the day with a crowd favorite: the Aberdeen Aqua Addicts Waterski Team, performing high-energy shows at Dahme Lake.

Families that prefer indoor adventures, Aberdeen delivers there, too. Allevity Entertainment packs multiple attractions under one roof, while Uptown Aberdeen combines movies, shopping, recreation and creative experiences. Film lovers can settle into a seat at Capitol Cinema, inside the 100-year-old Capitol Theatre for a classic night out.