Aberdeen-
Aberdeen is one of the five
largest cities in the state. Looking at
from Google Maps in Ann Arbor, you would not think it. But after visiting the
other cities in this state, it is by far the largest that I have seen. As previously
stated, most of the Aberdeen is comprised of one giant strip mall. For several
miles, you drive down 6th Avenue and pass store after store after
store, with very little off to the north or south. Occasionally there will be a
stretch of north-south streets that have more of a “Down Town” feel to them (i.e.
the streets with the bars near Northern State University) but for the most part
they are either residential neighborhoods or smaller, less exciting shops.
Casinos and auto part stores
seem to dominate the landscape. Why those two are the most common, I am not
sure, but if you are low on cash and need to repair your car, Aberdeen is the
place to be.
Aberdeen is large enough to have
multiple branches of its public library. Though each is larger, has a better
selection of books, and greater resources than the Redfield equivalent, the
Redfield Library is still the better choice (see Redfield).
Lakewood Mall, one of the premiere
shopping destinations in Aberdeen is not terribly exciting. There are about a
dozen or so of the usual mall stores; J.C. Penny, Sears, fashionably clothing
stores, and a few others. And that’s about it. The selection pales in comparison
to both Briarwood and Westland Malls, while the Mall of America (a mere five
hours away) makes Lakewood look like a
dime store. The best part of the Lakewood mall, is the fact that is houses a 3D
movie theater, one of about five in the state.
