Family Guide to Mall of America

With 5.6 million square-feet of shopping, dining and entertainment, Mall of America in Bloomington, Minn. is a family fun land like no other. It’s a must-do childhood experience with activities for all ages, from toddlers to teens and beyond.

The gigantic attraction just outside the Twin Cities is so incredibly vast that a successful visit needs some advance planning. We’ve got you covered!

Here you’ll find the lowdown on top things to do for families, the most kid-friendly restaurants and, of course, shops that will keep everybody engaged! Plus, we’ll share tips on how to get to Mall of America and the most convenient places to stay in Bloomington.

Mall of America Shops that Kids Love

With more than 500 stores including your favorite name brands and one-of-a-kind shops you’ve never even seen, you could spend days browsing Mall of America. Your kids will probably want to spend most of that time in a few of the most interactive destination spots.

Here’s a rundown of five top kid-friendly stores you won’t want to miss on your visit to Mall of America:

• Build-A-Bear Workshop at Mall of America – Make a stuffed animal come to life with your own personal touches including a voice message that you record. The mall has two locations including a new Build-a-Bear x Hello Kitty & Friends Workshop.
• Crayola Store at Mall of America – Create a custom box of crayons or markers at the Crayola Store, then get really creative with the ticketed Crayola Experience that has more than 20 hands-on activities and personalized souvenirs you won’t believe!
• The LEGO Store at Mall of America – Look up at a LEGO robot standing more than 3 stories tall and make your own masterpiece on one of the play tables around the store, drawing inspiration from the giant wall of LEGO bricks
• M&Ms at Mall of America – Marvel at the Wall of Chocolate, snap photos with characters and make your own batch of the iconic candies in this 24,000-square-foot M&M immersion.
• Toys ‘R’ Us at Mall of America – This flagship store for the longstanding toy seller features free play zones where kids and adults can try out the latest items and classic toys, too.

See All The Stores At Mall Of America

Family Entertainment at Mall of America

Mall of America is a shopping mall, yes. But it is So. Much. More.

For starters, Nickelodeon Universe is the largest indoor amusement park in North America. It occupies the entire multi-story central atrium of the mall, about 7 acres! There are more than two dozen rides including five roller coasters and an indoor log ride with a 40-foot plunge. (Note: You will get wet!) You can pay per ride or buy a wristband for unlimited fun the whole day.

If thrill rides aren’t your thing, there’s lots of other stuff to do. Mall of America is home to two miniature golf courses, the SEA LIFE at Mall of America, a bowling alley, arcade, 4D flight simulator, go-kart racing, axe throwing, Paw Patrol indoor playground…and that’s just a small sample! You can take an old-time photo of the whole family, explore a mirror maze, pit parents versus kids on a Nerf battlefield and tackle Dutchman’s Deck, which has the longest indoor zipline in North America and the world’s tallest Sky Trail ropes course.

See All There Is To Do At Mall Of America

Food Your Kids Will Eat at Mall of America

Never fear. There are more than 50 restaurants inside Mall of America including full-service, sit-down dining, fast-casual order-at-the-counter spots and a food court, too. There’s no shortage of treats for dessert, either. Be sure to try the 24-scoop King Kong Sundae at Sugar Factory!

Some family favorites for sit-down include Rainforest Café, set inside a jungle environment with animatronic animals and aquariums, and the Forrest Gump-themed Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. If you want a dramatic flair to your dining, check out Benihana, where chefs cook and toss ingredients right in front of you.

Of course, there are kid-friendly quick eats all over Mall of America, too. You can get hot dogs and root beer at A&W, burgers at Burger Burger, quesadillas at Chipotle, nuggets at Chick-Fil-A and boneless wings at Buffalo Wild Wings. Plus, wherever you are in the mall of America, you’re never far from an Auntie Anne’s pretzel shop. And there are more than a few places to satisfy your family’s sweet tooth, from Cinnabon and Cold Stone Creamery to Beard Papa’s cream puffs and pastries from Carlo’s Bakery.

See All The Places To Eat At Mall Of America

How To Get To Mall of America

Located right off I-494 just south of Minneapolis and St. Paul, Mall of America is an easy driving destination from all over the Upper Midwest. Here’s a look at road trip drive times from the nearest major cities:

• 3 hours from Des Moines and Duluth
• 4 hours from Fargo, Madison and Sioux Falls
• 5 hours from Green Bay, Milwaukee and Omaha
• 6 hours from Chicago and Kansas City

Parking is free at Mall of America. Many hotels in Bloomington also offer free shuttles back and forth to the mall.

If you plan to fly into the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP), you don’t even need a car to visit Mall of America. You can take a train straight to the mall or shuttle to your hotel and then take hotel transportation back and forth to the mall.

See All The Ways Of Getting Around Bloomington And Mall Of America

Where Families Stay When Visiting the Mall Of America

Bloomington has more than 40 hotels all close to Mall of America including many that offer free shuttles back and forth. For the ultimate in convenience, the Radisson Blu Mall of America and the JW Marriott Minneapolis Mall of America both are attached to the mall so you can walk right in. Both hotels have heated indoor swimming pools and suites for families.

There also are kid-friendly hotels within walking distance of Mall of America such as Country Inn & Suites by Radisson Bloomington Mall of America. Hotels close to Mall of America with indoor swimming pools include the Wyndham Bloomington Mall of America, Hampton Inn & Suites Minneapolis/St. Paul Airport and TownePlace Suites Minneapolis Mall of America.

Great Wolf Lodge Minneapolis Bloomington is another popular option for families, with an indoor water park right on site.

Save Money With This Mall Of America Stay & Play Package

How Much Time You Need and Other Things to Know About Mall of America

You could spend every day for a week at Mall of America and experience only a fraction of everything there is to see and do. It’s a good idea to prioritize so you can hit the top destinations on your list in whatever time you have in Bloomington. Here are some pointers to keep in mind:

• With about 40 million visitors per year, Mall of America can get busy! So, it’s nice to have a game plan before you get there. Chart a plan using this Mall of America directory and map.
• Mall of America is open 7 days a week, but it does close early on Sundays. And be aware that some mall attractions have different operating hours than the mall itself. Be sure to check opening and closing times for specific mall destinations you’d like to visit.
• Wear comfortable shoes! The distance you’ll walk around the mall is measured in miles. In fact, walking each of the mall’s three levels is the equivalent of completing a 5k!
• Depending on the age of your kids and the mobility levels of everyone in your family, it may be helpful to use a stroller or other assistive device while you’re at Mall of America. Get details on accessibility here.
• As with many major tourist attractions, certain times of day tend to be busier than others. If you can make it to Mall of America right when it opens, you’ll have the best chance of getting into your preferred attractions as soon as possible. The same can be said about the end of the day, as many visitors tend to leave after dinner.
• Speaking of meals, restaurants often are the busiest around lunch and dinner, as you would expect. If you are willing and able to eat a little earlier or later than the norm, you’ll likely encounter shorter wait times and faster service than at prime lunch and dinner times.

Everything To Know About Mall Of America