Opened in 1992—with several expansions since—the Mall of America is dedicated to all types of indoor entertainment: It contains everything from a massive LEGO store to an underground aquarium to a stand-up comedy club to a 7-acre (2.8-hectare) theme park to a miniature golf course.
Located on the site of a former Minnesota Twins baseball stadium (look for a plaque marking home plate), MOA technically sits in Bloomington, about 15 minutes from the Twin Cities. There are some 12,000 parking spots, and just walking around one level—four in total—gets you a mile-plus workout.
If you’re not staying at a nearby hotel with a free shuttle, you’re probably arriving by car. The signage will be clear (near the intersection of I-494 and MN-77), and you can choose between two connected parking garages—they’re free. If they’re full, head to the North Lot across Lindau Lane or the East Lot across 24th Avenue South. You can also take the METRO Blue Line from downtown Minneapolis.
Like most tourist attractions, you’ll want to avoid weekends and holidays for a calmer, more crowd-free experience. “High” season is July and August, though the winter holidays—aka gift-buying season—are extra busy, too. Visit early morning or around dinnertime into the evening for the most elbow room.
There is a symmetry to Mall of America: Each of the four levels centers around an open atrium, which comes full of natural light and more than 200 trees. For shopping, focus on levels 1 and 2; for food, head to level 3. For the movie theatre (and some more food options), that’s level 4. Carry a map with you or download the app to simplify things.