Four Itchy Feet

May 27, 2025. Bloomington, Minnesota. Day 6 of 170

We arrived in Minneapolis, Minnesota. After a seven-hour drive we unloaded our luggage at the Airbnb and it was time to stretch our legs. Since it was raining outside, the obvious choice was to take a walk in the Mall of America (MOA), located in Bloomington, Minnesota. MOA is a truly massive and unique destination. It’s not just a shopping mall; it’s a full-fledged entertainment complex that attracts around 40 million visitors annually.

The mall, which opened in 1992, is the largest shopping mall in the United States, the largest in the Western Hemisphere, and the twelfth largest worldwide. It spans an impressive 5.6 million square feet, with over 2.8 million square feet of retail space. It’s so big it even has its own ZIP code! It houses over 520 stores, ranging from major anchors like Macy’s and Nordstrom to a vast array of specialty shops, luxury brands, and fast-fashion retailers. A significant draw for shoppers is that there is no sales tax on clothing or shoes in Minnesota.

What truly sets the Mall of America apart is its extensive array of attractions. Here are some of the offerings:

• Nickelodeon Universe: The nation’s largest indoor theme park, located in the center of the mall. It features over 25 rides, including roller coasters (like SpongeBob SquarePants Rock Bottom Plunge and Fairly Odd Coaster), thrill rides, and kid-friendly attractions. It even has a log chute and a mini-golf course (Moose Mountain Adventure Golf).
• SEA LIFE Minnesota Aquarium: A 1.3-million-gallon aquarium with a 300-foot-long underwater tunnel where visitors can see sharks, stingrays, and other sea creatures. There’s also a stingray touch pool.
• Crayola Experience: A 60,000-square-foot attraction with 25 hands-on activities related to Crayola crayons, including making personalized crayon wraps.
• FlyOver America: A flight simulation ride that takes guests on an immersive, 4D journey over scenic American landscapes, complete with wind, mist, and scents.
• The LEGO Store: A massive store with play areas, a pick-a-brick wall, and impressive larger-than-life LEGO models, including a 34-foot-tall robot.

The mall also features two miniature golf courses, an escape game, a mirror maze, a comedy club (Rick Bronson’s House of Comedy), a bowling alley (GameWorks), laser tag, virtual reality experiences, axe throwing, and a movie theater (B&B Theatres).

There are plenty of eating opportunities, with over 60 restaurants. MOA offers a diverse culinary experience, from food court staples to fast-casual eateries, and upscale dining. There are also unique spots like the M&M’s Mall of America store and a revolving sushi bar.

The first question one asks when strolling through such massive enclosed spaces is, “How do you heat or air condition such a large space?” Despite Minnesota’s cold winters, the mall’s common areas are largely unheated, relying on heat generated by lighting fixtures, electric devices, and the people within. Air conditioning is often used even in winter during peak hours.

The site itself holds deep sports history, as the mall is built on the former Metropolitan Stadium, which was home to the Minnesota Vikings and Twins. There are nostalgic artifacts, such as a stadium seat marking Harmon Killebrew’s longest home run and a plaque for home plate in Nickelodeon Universe.

Although our intention was a simple walk in a sheltered space, we were in awe and inspired by the architecture. The Mall of America is truly a destination unto itself, offering an experience that goes far beyond traditional shopping. It was a great experience to visit and stroll around the mall – an experience to be had for all visiting Minnesota.