Mall Of America
If you’re planning on visiting Minnesota, there’s a good chance that Mall Of America has come up. Located in Bloomington, just outside the Twin Cities, this massive shopping mall is what some consider to be the main tourist attraction in Minnesota. Not only is it visited by nearly 40 million people each year, but it’s also set up like a full blown tourist destination with restaurants and hotels in the immediate surrounding area. With all this being said, it seems hard to argue that Mall Of America is worth taking a look at, but what exactly can you expect from a visit? That’s exactly what we’re going to talk about today!
There are a lot of different reasons that you might find yourself wanting to visit Mall Of America. From the long list of movies that were filmed inside the mall to the indoor amusement park, it’s one of those places that some people just have to see in their lifetime. It’s also massive. Known as the largest mall in the United States, Mall Of America is 4,879,000 square feet of shops, stalls, restaurants and more. That’s enough space to fit 7 Yankee Stadiums inside. . . . . WOW!
Inside that massive space, you’ll mostly find what you’d come to expect from any other shopping mall. However, there are a few unique offerings that you might not find at the mall down the road from your house. There’s miniature golf and some restaurants that you don’t see every day, but there’s also an amusement park in the center of the mall known as Nickelodeon Universe. We’ll take some time to dive into Nickelodeon Universe some other time, but it probably goes without saying that this is the most unique feature of Mall Of America.
Mall Of America also has temporary installments and/or offerings throughout the year. Of course, these vary depending on the year and what the current events are at the time. This could be an art installation or even screen used costumes on display from an upcoming film. The information about these offerings can sometimes be found on the Mall Of America website or posted on their social media.
While there are some unique features and offerings at Mall Of America, one of the biggest misconceptions people have about the mall is that it’s particularly unique. Don’t get us wrong, while there are some things about Mall Of America that are unique [like rollercoasters], the mall itself isn’t much to write home about. With the exception of a few Minnesota specific shops, Mall Of America consists mostly of stores that you can find in shopping malls around the country. While this might be something that mallrats will enjoy, if you find a family trip to your local mall to be somewhat stressful, this isn’t going to be the destination for you.
We’ve talked a little bit about Mall Of America and how it’s similar to your local shopping mall. However, if you’re planning a visit to the Mall Of America in the near future, there are a few things you should be aware of in order to have the best time possible.
Temperature Inside The Mall
One of the things you might not be thinking about when planning your visit to Mall Of America is the temperature. . . . but you probably should! The temperature inside Mall Of America is kept at 70 degrees all year round. While this might seem like a somewhat comfortable temperature, it’s important to keep in mind that 70 degrees can get quite hot in the winter months if you’re dressed for the freezing temperatures outside. This is something you’ll want to take into consideration if planning a trip to Mall Of America during the winter months. We’ve also found that it can get quite a bit warmer than 70 degrees in some of the smaller and more crowded shops in the mall. Again, this is something you’ll want to be aware of if you’re planning a visit.
Admission Cost
There are no parking or admission fees for Mall Of America. Just like your local shopping mall, you can park and enter Mall Of America for free. However, there are admission fees for attractions and/or experiences within the mall. We recommend visiting the Mall Of America website to see what attractions are available during your visit and what the current admission price is.
Wheelchair, Stroller & ECV Rentals
Mall Of America has wheelchairs, shopping carts, strollers and ECVs available to rent for guests who need a bit of assistance getting around. These can be rented from Guest Services on Level 1 at a fee of anywhere from $7 to $40 for the day. You can find out more information about what is available for rent and where you can get those items HERE.
Of course, there are a few things that you may also want to be aware of if you’re planning a visit for 2022. During your visit, Mall Of America may have health and safety protocols in place to ensure the safety of their guests and staff members. The most up to date information can be found at the Mall of America website and/or posted on signs around the mall. It’s also important to keep in mind that some offerings may not be available during your visit. This includes, but is not limited to, restaurants and/or attractions. Currently [March 2022], a number of storefronts and restaurants are still closed. If you’re planning a trip to Mall Of America and have some “must do” restaurants or shops you’d like to visit, we strongly recommend checking the Mall of America’s directory before planning your visit to ensure that the shop and/or restaurant is still available during the time of your visit.
Mall Of America is quite the structure and, if you happen to be in the area, we definitely think that it’s something you might want to consider checking out. That said, we wouldn’t recommend Mall Of America as anything more than a day trip. Of course, we’d love to hear what you have to say! Join the Jamboree to share your thoughts with us!