Mall of America: America's biggest entertainment center
Touted as the largest mall in the United States, Minneapolis’ Mall of America harbors an aquarium, a theme park and the proverbial Gap all under its roof. Despite promoting endless consumerism since 1992, MOA is a rite of passage while visiting the Midwest.
Formerly Metropolitan Stadium where the Twins and Vikings played, the location in suburb Bloomington offers ample parking spots – over 12,000 – and enough acreage for years of expansion. Ikea, the Minneapolis/St. Paul airport and a couple of hotels are a stone's throw from the mall, making it an ideal weekend jaunt. The mall’s 4,200,000 square feet, three levels and over 500 stores aren't anything to scoff at, but it’s not as overwhelming as it may seem. The retail oasis boasts four department stores on each corner of the mall: Sears, Bloomingdales, Macy’s and Nordstorm, a tiered Best Buy and of course clothing, accessories, shoes, souvenirs and tech stores. Typical fast food fare resides throughout the mall, but sit-down restaurants and a gelato joint offer a reprieve from the banality of Taco Bell and Panda Express.
Nickelodeon Universe occupies the most space with its full-sized Ferris wheel, roller coasters, climbing wall, mini golf course, Legoland and a myriad of other rides to entertain the kids. Reaching high into the skylights, the open atmosphere gives way to the largest indoor theme park in the nation. Like any mall, MOA gets pretty packed on the weekends and during the holidays, so be prepared to fight traffic in and out of the mall. Also be aware the stores and some parking garages are the only parts of the mall using central heat while the majority of the other heat comes from the skylights and warm bodies. With enough space to hold up to 900 stores, the mall has a long way to go to reach capacity, but every year new stores and restaurants open, giving the largest mall in the world, West Edmonton Mall in Edmonton, Canada, severe competition.
Posted by Garin Pirnia
