Navigating the Mall of America - What to Know Before You Go

Up north in Bloomington, Minnesota close to the twin cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, travelers find a destination like no other: The Mall of America. The name is no misnomer. This truly is a mall that is large enough to encompass enough shopping to please anyone in America. Four stories high and anchored by Bloomingdales, Nordstroms, Sears and Macy's, the Mall of America is an amalgam of every kind of store you can think of. Activities also abound here and the restaurant choices are huge. Spend a day at the Mall and you'll have a deliciously exhausting shopping experience. Spend a weekend here and you have a shopaholic's vacation paradise! Bring the family for a weekend getaway and find something for everyone!

The Stores. Searching for jewelry? Home goods? Clothes? Electronics? Candles? Magnets? Bath and Body? Purses? Shoes? Athletic gear? Books? American Girl dolls and accessories? Candy? Music? Games? Toys? All of this and more is available at the mall. Some stores specialize in one item, some carry everything under the sun and some kiosks specialize in the quirky and the unusual. From Clarks of England to Coach, the mall has your shoes and accessories covered. From the Children's Place to Gymboree to Gap Kids, there are more than enough places to find clothes for the kids. And it just keeps going from there. More than 30 shops for shoes. Nearly 20 places to find electronics. More than 100 places selling apparel. Head to www.mallofamerica.com and search out the directory to make your plan of attack. And bring plenty of plastic to snap up bargains and treasures!

The Restaurants. With 65 plus places to eat and drink at the mall, shoppers can stop to refresh before heading back into the shopping fray. For those who can't agree on where to go, a large and open food court on the third floor features places like Johnny Rockets, Baja Tortilla Grill, Panda Express, Ruby Thai Kitchen and Long John Silvers and more. Something for everyone is here and best of all? It's quick and gets you back into the stores as quickly as you like. Specialty places for snacks can be found all over the mall. Caribou Coffee, Cinnabon, Coldstone Creamery, Haagen Daz, Magic Pan Crepe Stand and Auntie Anne's Pretzels are among just the few you will encounter. And for something a little more formal and sit down? Ruby Tuesdays, Famous Dave's, Bubba Gump's, Napa Valley Grill, Tucci Benuch and the Rainforest Café are all favorites. So if you're looking for a cup of java or a shrimp Caesar salad, the mall has you covered.

The Attractions. Yes, the mall has plenty of shopping. And sure, you can find no limit on dining options. And while the Mall of America may have more than its share of these places, so do most malls. But what about an indoor theme park, complete with a glass ceiling and thrill rides? An indoor aquarium with a shark tunnel? A huge Lego store featuring huge Lego sculptures and a play area? These attractions truly set the Mall apart from all the rest. The Nickelodeon Universe theme park is located in the center of the mall and takes up all four levels. It is truly a sight to behold and can entertain a family for hours! The Underwater Adventure Aquarium is an impressive and huge attraction that takes guests through the upper Mississippi of Minnesota and Wisconsin down south to the Caribbean. More than 4500 sea creatures are found here, including some huge and very impressive sharks. Both the Nickelodeon Universe and the Underwater Adventures do take a separate admission fee, but both are well worth it.

The Mall of America is more than just a shopping excursion. It is truly a destination in its own right and can be the place for family vacations year round. The mall is surrounded by hotels that offer a complimentary shuttle and is also located very close to the Minneapolis/St Paul MSP airport. For a girls' weekend away or a family adventure, try Minnesota's Mall of America!