The Mall of America is the country’s largest and most well-known shopping and entertainment venue. It’s only 15 minutes away from downtown Minneapolis and is almost next to St. Paul International Airport! You don’t have to go far to get a premium shopping experience and plus, everything you could need is all under one roof!
The mall has become one of the most frequented tourist attractions in America and this isn’t only because of its size. Of course, the 4.3 miles of store frontage is a huge crowd-pleaser, but there are things that make this mall so interesting. There are indoor theme parks, 3D and Virtual Reality experiences and a lot more! You shouldn’t be surprised to hear that it receives around 40 million visitors annually.
Not only is it accessible from the city and through the airport, but there is also no sales tax on clothing and shoes. This no tax policy holds all throughout the state with no exceptions, making Minnesota the perfect place to have an all-out shopping spree. What’s more, there are two grand hotels attached directly to the mall and over 50 hotels nearby. The hotels also offer free shuttle services to the mall and the latter has free Wifi. All of this means that once people come, they don’t really want to leave.
If you want to tour the whole mall, it will take you more than one or two days. There is simply too much to see and do. So if you’re planning on a visit, make sure it’s an extended one. Otherwise, you might miss out on some of the best attractions there are.
The Stores at Mall of America
MOA has over 500 stores, which is a whopping number in itself. That’s over 500 brands all under one roof, just waiting for you to come and sample their goods. There are also around 60 restaurants and these include some big names and chains. You’re sure to find whatever food you like when you’re roaming around the mall. Plus, there’s Nickelodeon Universe to explore, which is a 7-acre indoor amusement park, Sea Life Aquarium, gaming and entertainment centers, and a comedy club.
Whether you go alone, with friends, or with family, there’s something for everyone at MOA!
Mall of America Shopping
Before you dive right into the shopping bit, you should make a list of items that you need. Additionally, you should study the mall directory beforehand so you know what you want and which store to get it from. This will save you a lot of time, money and confusion and you won’t be sprinting from one place to another. Keep in mind that nearly everything you could need is packed under one roof. You will have a ton of options available which is why it’s best to categorize all of them properly.
MOA hosts fashion retailers, massive department store chains, local and artisanal shops, home goods, furniture and so much more. There is also a range of mid-range to high-end and luxury stores so whatever your requirements, you’re sure to find whatever you like. You can find the latest trends or some classic pieces. Here are some of the stores that MOA features:
For Locally-Made, Artisanal Products:
- Love From Minnesota
- Fourpost
Major Department Stores:
- Macy’s
- Nordstrom
- Sears
For Luxury Items:
- Swarovski
- Vera Bradly
- Michael Kors
For Fast Fashion:
- Abercrombie & Fitch
- Ann Taylor
- Burberry
For Tech and Gadgets:
- Apple
- Microsoft
- Best Buy
- Bose
As you can see, there’s pretty much nothing you can’t find. And if you keep in mind that there’s no tax on clothing, you’re good to go and shop all day!
Fun for the Whole Family
The best thing about MOA is that you will have no trouble keeping the kids and family occupied when you’re there. There is so much to do for kids and adults alike and you won’t run out of new experiences! Keep reading to find out just what you can do at MOA.
Nickelodeon Universe
As mentioned above, this indoor theme park is all of 7 acres in the area. That’s phenomenal for any kind of theme park, especially one that’s safely inside a mall! There around 27 rides, the longest indoor zip line in the country, costumes, food and other activities to keep you and your kids busy. The park offers photo-ops, several attractions and a whole lot of other things to do!
Fly Over America
This is one of the best experiences to be had at MOA. it’s a multi-sensory 4D experience that makes you feel like you’re literally flying over the US. You’ll be able to see the country in a way that you could never hope for!
The LEGO Store
There are so many features packed into this store that your kids won’t know where to start! There’s an all-inclusive play area and gigantic, larger than life LEGO sculptures that your kids will love. Plus, they can build their own figurines!
Sea Life Aquarium
This immersive underwater experience has over 10,000 aquatic creatures to see! The aquarium is filled with an incredible 1.3 million gallons of water and includes a 300-foot aquarium tunnel that you and the family can walkthrough. The kids can pet stingrays, starfish, and other sea creatures as well. And for an additional price, you can snorkel or scuba dive with these majestic creatures!
The Escape Game
This is one of MOA’s most popular attractions. It features a room where you’re locked in as part of a team. The whole team must work together to figure out an escape plan. You’ll be faced with multiple fun challenges that you must solve before you can leave! The puzzle uses your smarts and problem-solving skills in a relaxed environment.
Why Visit MOA
If you’re still in any doubt about planning a possible visit, don’t be! The list is given shows that you will find everything you could possibly want under one roof. Just make sure you’re ready for several days of activity and engagement as you shop, eat, and enjoy yourself.