Mall of America

State: Minnesota. Type: shopping and entertainment complex in Bloomington, Hennepin County, part of the Minneapolis-Saint Paul metro area. Opened August 11, 1992. About 5.6 million square feet of gross leasable area, described as the largest mall in the United States (12th largest globally) with over 520 stores at peak occupancy. Roughly 32 million visitors annually. Owned by Triple Five Group (Ghermezian family).

Mall of America sits in Bloomington, just outside downtown Minneapolis and Saint Paul, and has grown since its 1992 opening into one of the largest retail and entertainment complexes in the country. Beyond hundreds of stores and department-store anchors, the mall houses Nickelodeon Universe, an indoor amusement park with roller coasters and other rides built directly into the building's central atrium, and Sea Life Minnesota Aquarium, which includes a long walk-through tunnel beneath its tanks. The complex was developed through a joint venture involving Triple Five Group, Melvin Simon & Associates and TIAA-CREF, and Triple Five gained full ownership after a legal dispute with Simon Property Group resolved in 2006. Rather than conventional central air conditioning for its common areas, the mall is notable for relying substantially on heat generated by skylights, lighting and crowds. A dedicated light-rail and bus station connects the mall directly to downtown Minneapolis and the airport, making it easy to visit without a car.

The mall's own site lists its address as 2131 Lindau Lane, Bloomington, MN 55425, near the Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport; an older address of 60 E Broadway, Bloomington, MN 55425 is also associated with the property and appears in some references. It sits within the Minneapolis-Saint Paul metropolitan area in Hennepin County.

Minnesota has a continental climate with cold, snowy winters and warm, humid summers, but because Mall of America is almost entirely an indoor complex, outdoor weather has little effect on a visit. The mall itself is known for relying on internal heat sources (skylights, lighting, body heat) rather than conventional air conditioning to regulate its common areas.

Because the mall is indoor and climate-controlled, it can be visited comfortably in any season, making it a popular option during Minnesota's cold winters. Weekday mornings tend to be less crowded than weekends, evenings, and school holiday periods.

Mall of America opened on August 11, 1992, developed jointly by Triple Five Group, Melvin Simon & Associates, and TIAA-CREF. A legal dispute between Triple Five and Simon Property Group over control of the mall was resolved in 2006, after which Triple Five (led by the Ghermezian family) gained full ownership. Since opening, it has grown to include Nickelodeon Universe and Sea Life Minnesota Aquarium alongside its retail anchors, and it remains one of the largest shopping complexes in the United States.

Visitors shop across more than 500 stores at peak occupancy, ride roller coasters and other attractions at the indoor Nickelodeon Universe theme park, and walk through Sea Life Minnesota Aquarium's underwater tunnel. The mall also hosts numerous dining options and periodic special events and promotions.

Nickelodeon Universe is the mall's indoor amusement park, built into the building's central court with roller coasters and family rides. Sea Life Minnesota Aquarium features a roughly 300-foot walk-through tunnel beneath its tanks. The mall's retail wings house its 500-plus stores and multiple anchor department stores.

Mall of America sits close to Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport, and the adjacent Mall of America transit station is described as Minnesota's busiest transit hub, served by the METRO Blue Line light rail (connecting to the airport and downtown Minneapolis) and the METRO Red Line bus rapid transit route. Driving in, the mall offers its own parking ramps and lots.

As of research, general mall hours were Monday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Individual stores, restaurants, Nickelodeon Universe and the aquarium may keep their own hours that differ from the general mall schedule; confirm current hours on mallofamerica.com before visiting.

There is no admission charge to enter the mall itself. Nickelodeon Universe and Sea Life Minnesota Aquarium are separately ticketed attractions with their own pricing, including bundle packages, but specific current ticket prices were not confirmed in this research; check mallofamerica.com for current rates before visiting.

A few hours covers a casual shopping visit, while a full day allows time to add Nickelodeon Universe, the aquarium, and a sit-down meal.

Bloomington, immediately surrounding the mall, has a concentration of hotels serving both airport travelers and mall visitors, ranging from airport-style business hotels to properties marketed specifically toward mall guests. Downtown Minneapolis and Saint Paul, a short light-rail ride away, offer a wider range of hotel brands for visitors who prefer to stay in the urban core.

The mall itself contains a large number of restaurants and food-court options spanning many cuisines. The surrounding Bloomington area, close to the airport, adds further chain and independent dining options for visitors staying nearby.

Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport is a few minutes away by light rail. Downtown Minneapolis and downtown Saint Paul, both reachable via the METRO Blue Line, offer additional museums, parks and riverfront attractions for visitors extending their trip.

The Mall of America light-rail and bus station sits directly at the mall, connecting to the METRO Blue Line (serving the airport and downtown Minneapolis) and METRO Red Line bus rapid transit; it is described as Minnesota's busiest transit hub. Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport is minutes away.

As with any large, crowded indoor venue, keep track of children and personal belongings, especially near the amusement-park rides and busy retail corridors. Follow posted height, age or health restrictions before riding Nickelodeon Universe attractions. For any emergency, dial 911.

Comfortable walking shoes are useful given the mall's size, along with a phone charger for a full day of use. Light layers work well since indoor temperatures are managed differently than typical air-conditioned buildings.

Buying attraction tickets or bundle packages online in advance can save time at Nickelodeon Universe or the aquarium. Arriving via the METRO Blue Line avoids parking-ramp congestion during busy periods. Visiting on a weekday morning generally means smaller crowds than weekends or school breaks.

Dial 911 for any emergency. The mall's general information line, per its official site, is 952-883-8800.

Mall of America - https://www.mallofamerica.com

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.