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Sage Scott
Mind-Blowing Facts About the U.S. Mall That Attracts More Visitors Than Disney
2024-07-19
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With more than 520 shops, a wide variety of eateries, the country’s biggest indoor amusement park, and other unique attractions, Mall of America differs from most other malls. No wonder it’s one of the top tourist attractions in the United States, welcoming approximately 40 million visitors annually. Here are some unbelievable facts about Mall of America.
The entrance of Mall of America in Bloomington, Minnesota.Photo bySage Scott.
1. Mall of America is Gigantic
This Bloomington, Minnesota, destination is not America’s biggest mall by an inch or two. Rather, Mall of America is nearly 70 percent bigger than the second-largest mall in the United States — the King of Prussia Mall near Philadelphia.
The mall boasts more than 2.78 million square feet of retail space (not including the amusement park). That’s almost 64 acres! If you plan to see it all, you have your work cut out for you. Spending just one minute per store, it will take you nearly nine hours to visit them all!
2. On-Site Stylists Can Help with Your Clothes Shopping
Need help putting a look together? Mall of America has a solution. Don’t let the numerous clothing shops overwhelm you! You can meet with an experienced stylist who will provide personalized advice about what colors and styles will look good on you. Use this service to make your visit more efficient and less stressful. Visit the stylist page for a complete list of services and prices.
3. You Won't be Charged Sales Tax on Some Purchases
Here’s a budget-friendly Mall of America fact: Whether you use a stylist or select your own outfits, you’ll be thrilled to learn that there is no sales tax on clothing or shoes at Mall of America (or anywhere else in the North Star State). So whether you are building a wardrobe for the upcoming season, prepping your kids to go back to school, or just really need that pair of cute shoes in the window, you won’t have to worry about any sales taxes on these items when you shop at Mall of America.
A roller coaster in the amusement park inside Mall of America.Photo bySage Scott.
4. There's More to Do Than Shop at Mall of America
From soaring across the atrium on a zipline to diving in the ocean at the SEA LIFE Minnesota Aquarium, from dining with dinosaurs at Rainforest Cafe to catching a flick in one of the mall’s movie theaters, Mall of America offers much more than shopping.
Whether you’re shopping, enjoying rides, or taking in a show, at some point, you’ll likely want a bite to eat or something to drink at Mall of America. With approximately 50 eateries, you’ll find a full range of options ranging from food court classics, like Qdoba and Panda Express, to full-service restaurants offering everything from sushi to steak. There are also plenty of spots for just a little pick-me-up, like a matcha tea, chai latte, or sweet treat.
5. Mall of America is Built Around an Indoor Amusement Park
At the heart of Mall of America, Nickelodeon Universe is America’s largest indoor theme park. On seven acres in a soaring, glass-ceiling atrium, visitors can enjoy more than 20 amusement park rides, from kiddie favorites and a Ferris wheel to thrilling roller coasters. One of my favorite experiences is FlyOver America, a flight simulation ride that feels like seeing the country on the back of a giant bird.
6. And Includes an Aquarium
If you’d rather dive with exotic sea life than soar, you’ll be glad that Mall of America also includes an aquarium. Glide through a 300-foot underwater glass tunnel as sharks, fish, and other aquatic animals swim around you in 1.3 million gallons of water. Or feed the stingrays when you visit.
Sage Advice: You can save money on aquarium admission by also buying tickets to Nickelodeon Universe.
7. Mall of America Welcomes More Visitors Than Disney
This Mall of America fun fact may really surprise you. With approximately 40 million annual visitors, this Midwestern tourist destination welcomes more than five times the number of yearly guests as the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. To put 40 million people into a different context, that’s about as many visitors as the combined population of Canada, Wyoming, Vermont, and Washington DC. Or seven times the current population of Minnesota.
8. Mall of America Brings the Cha-Ching!
Whether it’s on happy hour cocktails, Shake Shack burgers, Minnesota Vikings jerseys, LEGO sets, amusement park rides, or something else, the average visitor spends just over $160 per visit to Mall of America. Multiply that by the millions of visitors each year, and Mall of America generates multiple billions of dollars in revenue annually in the Land of 10,000 Lakes.
Metropolitan Stadium marker at Mall of America.Photo bySage Scott.
9. Mall of America Sits on the Site of the Old Metro Stadium
Before it was the nation’s biggest shopping mall, this site housed the Metropolitan Stadium, the former home of the Minnesota Vikings football and Minnesota Twins baseball teams. In 1965, a little band from Liverpool, England, known as The Beatles, performed at the Metropolitan Stadium.
Mall of America includes a few shoutouts to the old stadium. When you visit Nickelodeon Universe, look for a bronze plaque embedded in the floor in the northwest corner. It marks the spot where home plate once stood.
And when you ride the Log Chute, watch for a red stadium chair affixed to the wall near a sign that reads “Harmon Killebrew, thank you for the memories.” It marks the spot where the Twins’s first baseman hit the longest home run in Old Met history, 520 feet from home plate.
10. Consistently Comfortable Temperature Year Round
No matter what weather Mother Nature has planned for the Twin Cities on a specific day, you can count on Mall of America to be a perfect 70° F. But despite winter temperatures consistently dipping below freezing, Mall of America has no central heating. Instead, the comfortable indoor climate is maintained by the sun streaming through 1.2 miles of skylights, the residual heat from lighting fixtures, and the body heat from the approximately 100,000 people who visit daily.
From its massive size to its unique attractions, Mall of America continues to captivate millions of visitors each year with its blend of retail therapy, entertainment, and surprises. Whether you're a shopaholic, thrill-seeker, or curious tourist, Mall of America offers an experience that's as expansive as its square footage.
Portions of this article originally appeared on Everyday Wanderer. Check it out for more fun facts and other helpful tips for visiting Mall of America.
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