Your Guide to the Mall of America

If you're planning a visit to the Mall of America, you're not alone. In an average year, the Mall hosts more than 40 million visitors! More people visit the Mall of America than Disneyworld.

What attracts shoppers to the Mall of America (also known as MOA)? For starters, there are 500+ stores, ranging from small specialty boutiques to large department stores like Sears, Nordstrom's and Macy's. There are other attractions besides the shopping, too: the Underwater Adventure Aquarium, a huge LEGO display, Dinosaur Walk Museum, A.C.E.S. Flight Simulation Center, a 14-screen movie theater, and a Nickelodeon-themed amusement park for the kids.

Like any large tourist destination, a successful trip to the Mall requires a bit of planning. Fortunately, the Mall of America webpage, www.moa.com, has a helpful visitors guide featuring directions, maps, an updated store directory, a list of special attractions and events, and a restaurant directory. While the website is a good start, there is some other information that you need to know as you plan your visit.

First, expect the Mall to be crowded. The Mall is large enough to hold the population of a medium-sized city. On an average day, there are 12,000 employees working in the Mall. That's a lot of people, and that doesn't even count the shoppers. If you don't do well with crowds, visit the Mall on a Monday; you'll find it far less crowded.The busiest and most crowded times for the Mall are weekend afternoons. Also, you'll want to keep the Mall's impressive size in mind: the Mall of America covers over 4.2 million square feet. That means you'll be doing a lot of walking, so wear comfortable shoes.

Getting to the Mall of America is easy. The area is accessible by several major highways, and driving directions are posted on the Mall's website. The Mall of America is literaly across the highway from the Twin Cities International Airport, so if you're flying into the area, you won't have to go far for your shopping adventure. Most major hotels in the area offer shuttle service to the Mall, and if you're staying in downtown Minneapolis, you can take the quick, easy Light Rail train between downtown, the Mall, and the airport. If you're driving to the mall, you'll find that Mall of America has plenty of free parking, with 12,550 on-site spaces divided between two covered garages, and 22,000 overflow spaces. You'll want to write down the location of your parking space; it's easy to forget which level you parked on..

When you arrive, be sure to visit the Guest Information Service Desk, for updated maps and information. The desks are on the first floor right next to each of the entrances. Perhaps the easiest way to explore the Mall of America is to go completely around the Mall, one floor at a time. This seems like a lot of walking, but you'll find it's actually a more efficient use of your time than constantly darting back and forth between floors.

As always, your personal safety is something you need to consider, but the Mall of America is extremely secure. The Mall has its own 100-person security force, and many of the security officers are, in fact, off-duty law enforcement officers. They walk through the Mall constantly and make a point of being visible, so criminals are usually deterred. More than one hundred security cameras scan the crowd as well, increasing safety. If there is trouble, there are more than one hundred call boxes, and nearly 50 help phones to notify security of a problem. These devices are well-marked and easy to find. In case of medical emergencies, a well-trained staff of paramedics is on hand, and there are first-aid kits complete with defibrilators for those with heart conditions located throughout the Mall.

The Mall of America has no shortage of choices when it comes to dining. There are about twenty full-service, sit-down restaurants, and nearly twice that number of quick-service and fast food restaurants. For sit-down service, it's best to visit the restaurant and get your name on the list a few hours before you want to eat, especially during busy periods such as weekends. You can put your name in for a table, and then continue shopping. You'll want to be back at the restaurant about 15 minutes before the time they quote you, just in case a table opens early.

The Mall of America is an exciting, vibrant place, and an amazing shopping destination. With the information in this article, you're now prepared for a smooth, hassle-free shopping experience. Enjoy!