Exterior of Mall of America
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What's New at Mall of America

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Mall of America in Bloomington

What's New at Mall of America

By Caitlin Hannah

Mall of America has always been big, and it's not done growing. The famous mall, home to more than 520 stores, 50 restaurants, a theme park and an aquarium, continues to add trendy shops, exciting entertainment options, restaurants and major events that bring 32 million visits through its doors each year.

Big Attractions

Find fun and excitement at The Fair on 4, where your family can savor fair-inspired foods like cheese curds & house-cut fries, compete in axe throwing (with parent or guardian), drive a go-cart and more.

Calling all candy fanatics! Spanning more than 24,000 square feet, M&M’S Mall of America location pays homage to the state, featuring Minnesota-themed M&M’S products while dipping guests into a free-to-enjoy interactive M&M’S experience. This “sweet” store includes a series of cool components unique to the M&M’S Mall of America location, including “Peanut Peak,” a rooftop celebration of local landscape inspired by marvelous Minnesota views. The store also features a personalization station, signature M&M’S, “Wall of Chocolate,” photo ops with larger-than-life characters and exclusive in-store merchandise.

In addition to seeing the store in person, fans can “visit” via virtual tour at MMS.com. Fun fact: Mars Candy Factory, Inc. opened in Minneapolis in 1920. The Mars Retail Group is proud to return to its roots to introduce the M&M’S Mall of America store.

Check out the #OnlyinMN monument, snap a photo with it in front of the monument and then share it (using #OnlyinMN, of course) to reveal the getaway you're planning. Visit the Explore Minnesota information area at the North Entrance, Level 1, near the wall of travel information to help you plan your next vacation.

For even more fun with friends, work together to solve clues and escape from one of the immersive experiences inside The Escape Game. Challenges have included breaking out of a jail cell, fixing your Mars rover to get back to Earth and rescuing a stolen painting from an art gallery. 

MOA’s popular indoor theme park, Nickelodeon Universe, is home to 27 attractions and counting including the longest indoor zip line in the country, and a nightly light show. Attractions feature your favorite Nickelodeon characters from Spongebob SquarePants, Blues Clues and Paw Patrol. Learn more about the attractions at Nickelodeon Universe with our guide to the park.

Adjacent to Nickelodeon Universe, FlyOver America simulates soaring over national landmarks. The seats move and swing gently, creating a sense of flying. The immersive experience features wind, mist and scents to enhance the images on the screen. Next to FlyOver, the 5D Extreme Attraction gives riders the choice between a wild ride through a mystery mine or a trip underwater with prehistoric beasts.

At SEA LIFE Minnesota Aquarium, the newest exhibit takes visitors into the rainforest for face-to-face interaction with cockroaches, piranhas, crocodiles, snakes and other creepy critters. Another family favorite, Crayola Experience offers kids 25 hands-on activities like naming and wrapping their own crayons, as well as a massive retail store.

Finally, if you're kids are into collecting and/or playing with toy cars, the country's fourth Ridemakerz location opened last holiday season and offers custom mini vehicles as souped-up with premium rims and tires as anything you'd find in The Fast and the Furious series. 

Radisson Blu Hotel in Bloomington

Radisson Blu is one of two hotels connected to Mall of America via skyway

Big Hotels

Mall of America has two on-site hotels, the JW Marriott and Radisson Blu. Both hotels feature full-service restaurants and bars, fitness centers, pools and meeting space, as well as direct access to the mall. Several other hotels in the area offer shuttle service to the mall, including the Great Wolf Lodge with a water park, arcade, bowling alley and interactive games.

Two women shopping at Mall of America

Did we mention that Mall of America has shopping?

Big Stores

Name any popular clothing store and Mall of America probably has it. While it boasts some of the country's biggest chains, it also has several unique and hard to find stores. Some of the newest stores to open include Karl's Fishing & Outdoor, Squishable, Draper James, Vuori and Royalty.

The Mall of America also spotlights many local merchants throughout its sprawling, 5.6 million square foot space. The past few years has seen everything from a new Love From Minnesota shop (a.k.a. The Neighborhood) to a clothing line from Brandon Barnes that combines streetwear and rowing. Can't get much more Minnesota than that!

Bussin' Birria

Bussin' Birria

Big Eats

Culinary on North, an upscale food court on level three, features a dozen fast-casual restaurants with food served on actual plates with silverware. Diners can dig into Italian-style street food at Piada, burgers and milkshakes at Shake Shack and a brand new taco concept from the Hot Indian crew (Bussin' Birria). 

Other new eateries include a custom cream puffs chain (Beard Papas), a stand that specializes in locally made fruit drinks (Juicebox), custom bundt cakes (Nothing Bundt Cakes), a revolving sushi bar with Japanese roots (Kura Sushi), and donuts so fresh they're made right on the spot (Duck Donuts). 

Friends at Transit Center at Mall of America

Leave your car at home and arrive via bus or light rail / Sara Fish, courtesy Mall of America

Big Services

MOA's transit center makes it easier than ever to get to the mall via light rail, bus or bike. Valet parking, formerly available at Nordstrom and the Radisson Blu, now includes the option for shoppers to drop their car off on one side of the building and pick it up on another. Park Assist shows shoppers where there are open parking spots.

Once inside, the mall offers free Wi-Fi throughout the building, a mobile app and interactive digital directories in 10 languages.

Families with kids on the autism spectrum can rest assured they'll be well taken care of thanks to the mall's new designation as a Certified Autism Center, with sensory guides available for each ride at Nickelodeon Universe. The park also offers a designated quiet space for guests with sensory issues. The space provides a safe and calming environment and is located behind Guest Services, near the exit of Pepsi® Orange Streak. The room features dimmable lights, soft seating, air conditioning, soundproof walls and more.

Having recently hit a major, 30-year milestone, the Mall of America also has a lot of history to share. Gain insider access to hidden mall highlights during a 90-minute VIP tour and covers "amazing stories, fascinating facts and unbelievable anecdotes at every turn." 

Plan your next getaway to Mall of America.

Caitlin Hannah

Caitlin Hannah is Explore Minnesota's social media strategist and resident Disney expert. She grew up spending summer weekends at her family's lake cabin in Detroit Lakes, and brings that "up north" attitude to everything she does. When traveling around the state, she likes trying new restaurants and taprooms, or watching Minnesota hockey.