How to Visit Mall of America

The Mall of America is located in Bloomington, Minnesota. It is the largest shopping mall in the United States, and Mall of America opened its doors in 1992. The mall holds special events, such as concerts, musicals and dance performances. It contains over 250 stores but has much more to offer than just shopping. Restaurants, attractions and entertainment are all under one roof. Because of its size a little planning is needed to get the most from your visit to Mall of America.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Allow more than a day to visit. The mall is over 12,000 square feet. There is so much to see and do; one day may not be enough. Keep in mind the mall is open most days of the year from 10 am to 9:30 pm. Check the Mall of America's website to ensure hours of operation during your visit and up-to-date admission prices for attractions.

2. Ride the Screaming Yellow Eagle at the indoor amusement park. Other thrill rides include the Timberland Twister and the Tree Top Tumbler. There are plenty of slower rides for families with young children and those with weaker stomachs.

3. Tour the underground aquarium. A moving walkway will take you through a tunnel where you can view sharks, stingrays and other sea life. Certified scuba divers can swim with sharks. The aquarium has a virtual reality ride which stimulates a submarine dive.

4. Drive a NASCAR or fly a jet. Mall of America is home to ACE simulation which operates a motional stimulator which allows riders to feel what it is like to fly a military jet. If that is not enough excitement for you, there is also a chance to drive a NASCAR stimulator so you can feel what its like to be in the driver's seat of a racecar.

5. Make time for other attractions. Mall of America has an 18-hole miniature golf course, a movie theater and an area of Lego creations that include a full size dinosaur.

6. Shop until you drop. As you would expect with a mall as large as Mall of America there is no shortage of stores. Most major stores such as Macys, Sears, Gap and Bloomingdales are in the mall along with about 250 other stores. Keep in mind there is no sales tax on clothing in Minnesota.

Tips & Warnings

• Take public transportation to the mall if possible. Many local hotels offer commentary shuttle service to and from the mall. Although there are over 12,000 parking spaces there can be a lot of traffic driving in and out of the parking lot.
• Be aware the Mall of America has a parental escort policy. On Friday and Saturdays after 4 p.m., children under the age of 16 must have an adult over 21 with them to visit the mall.