Minnesota's Mall of America: More than just shopping!

I've never been to the Mall of America, but fortunately for Midwest Guest readers, Jessie Voigts has, and she generously shares her list of must-dos, along with some beautiful photos of the mall's attractions, here today.

You’ve probably heard of the Mall of America – it's one of the largest malls in the world. And, since it is indoors, you don’t have to worry about inclement weather.

Mall of America is the nation's largest retail and entertainment complex. The 4.2 million-square-foot complex is home to more than 520 world-class shops; Nickelodeon Universe® the nation's first Nick theme park; Underwater Adventures® Aquarium, a 1.2 million gallon walk-through aquarium; a 14-screen movie theater and more. The Mall opened in August of 1992 in Bloomington, Minnesota, which is about 20 minutes from downtown Minneapolis and St. Paul.

Along with more than 520 stores, there are 76 restaurants, 14 movie screens, and 12,550 parking spaces (plus a station for the Light Rail System, which runs to downtown Minneapolis or the MSP airport). Key attractions include Nickelodeon Universe® and Underwater Adventures® Aquarium, as well as LEGO® Imagination Center, Moose Mountain Adventure Golf, A.C.E.S. Flight Simulation, NASCAR Silicon Motor Speedway, The American Girl Store & Bistro, Bloomingdale's, Macy's, Nordstrom and Sears.

Nickelodeon Universe® is an amusement park, right in the middle of the Mall of America. The cool thing about Nickelodeon Universe® is that it is completely family friendly. There are rides for all ages - from Dora and Diego rides for small children to Fairy Oddparents and Spongebob rollercoasters for teens and adults. We saw a wide range of people and ages - and they all were happy!

At Underwater Adventures® Aquarium, you come nose-to-nose with 5,000 sea creatures including sea turtles, sharks, stingrays, seahorses, an octopus, puffer fish, and crabs. Also see why Discovery Channel calls Underwater Adventures® Aquarium, under the Mall of America in Bloomington, Minnesota, the World's Best Shark Encounter!

The aquarium is very unique - you’ll walk through a 300-foot long curved tunnel! You feel like you are underwater, watching the marine life swim by. You are 14 feet underwater, and feel that you are right in the middle of the ocean.

Underwater Adventures® Aquarium is devoted to the conservation of water and the animals that live in it. From Shark and Sea Turtle conservation to water recycling, Underwater Adventures is working to make a difference in the world around us, and has a great deal of outreach and education - field trips, interactive classes, behind the scenes tours, overnight programs, snorkeling, hands-on activity rooms, and more.

The combination of world-class shopping, top attractions, more than 350 free events annually, great restaurants and excellent value make Mall of America a popular vacation choice for many people. Have you been? Did you do more than shop (and eat)?

For more information, please see: http://mallofamerica.com/

Also be sure to check out Jessie's recent two-part series about Twin Cities foodie finds here and here.

Jessie Voigts is the publisher of Wandering Educators, a travel resource for global educators. Love to learn about the world? Head to http://www.WanderingEducators.com

Photos and text © Jessie Voigts 2012 All rights reserved, used with permission

 

Comments

[Traci]

I went there the first year it opened, but haven't been back. This one's definitely on my radar to bring the "Go BIG" fam!

[Dominique King]

We've learned that the aquarium recently expanded and now operates as Sea Life Aquarium at Mall of America. As if the 5,000 sea creatures Jessie was able to see during her visit weren't enough, the expanded aquarium now has over 10,000 sea animals! That's even more reason to check it out, don't you think?

[Dominique King]

Traci-Sounds like it's time to go back soon!

[wandering educators]

thanks for the update - 10,000 sea animals would be even MORE incredible!!!