LEGO mural outside LEGO Store MOA, photo copyright Stephany Wiestling
When people think of Mall of America®, they often think of two things: shopping, and Nickelodeon Universe® theme park. Of course no trip to the Mall is complete without these two, but did you know there are many more attractions outside the theme park? Here are six family attractions beyond Nickelodeon Universe® at Mall of America®.
1. SEA LIFE™ Minnesota Aquarium is an all-time favorite, and very well known attraction here. In fact, for my son, he will often skip the theme park, but can never skip the aquarium!
The all-new SEA LIFE Minnesota Aquarium at Mall of America brings you closer than ever before to more than 10,000 sea creatures, including sharks, sea turtles, rays, jellyfish, seahorses and more! Plus, fun interactive activities throughout the aquarium including a quiz trail, touch pools and play area make SEA LIFE Minnesota Aquarium the perfect family fun destination.
All new features include:
- All new Atlantis Temple exhibit within the famous, 300ft long Ocean Tunnel – featuring a new Giant Green Sea Turtle”
- Thousands of new sea creatures including an Octopus and Garden Eels!
- A Ray Lagoon exhibit featuring a variety of Stingrays, walkover deck, and special viewing bubbles for kids!
Technically this is in the theme park, but not actually part of it, so it truly belongs here. For many girls (regardless of age), this store is girly-girl mecca with enough activities to spend hours here. From the American Girl Bistro, to the Doll Hair Salon, and oodles of shopping in between, this is a girl’s dream store. If only they had a Mommy & Me mani-pedi spa…
3. What the American Girl Store is for girls, The LEGO store is for boys!
All the latest LEGO sets, a giant Pick-a-Brick wall, play tables – some with computers to design your own LEGO kit and share your designs online, and staffed with the most knowledgeable LEGO addicts ever. Ok, that last part is my my opinion, but if you need help of any kind with anything to do with LEGO, these guys seem to have never grown out of their “LEGO phase”. The store is also immersed in amazing LEGO creations, from scenes inside little peepholes inside the store, intricate murals made out of “one bumps” on the outside wall (see photo above), and ginormous LEGO statues overhead. This is my son’s mecca… more than a store, it’s a destination all its own.
Take full control of sophisticated flight simulators that are duplicates of those used to train military pilots. Fly both modern F/A-18 Hornet jets and classic WWII fighters such as the P-51 Mustang and F4U Corsair. Same day reservations are accepted.
A Gift Card to fly at A.C.E.S. makes an excellent gift and it never expires! Bring your friends and fly combat against each other! Or try your hand at landing on an aircraft carrier. Or both! Group Flights and Corporate Team Building available.
5. Moose Mountain Adventure Golf
This 18-hole miniature golf course is another of our family’s favorite activities at the Mall.
“The course features an original, whimsical design with an old-time north woods feel – complete with life size moose, horses and more! Moose Mountain Adventure Golf also contains fun cartoon vehicles including a logging truck, steam time and bi-plane. Not only will this custom crafted course be magical for all who play – it is also designed to be fully accessible – so everyone can enjoy the adventure!”
“Experience amazement as you navigate your way through this fun-filled, life-size maze of mirrors and glass. This unique attraction is a journey through the incredible! At 2,500 square feet, it is one of the largest mirror mazes in the world, with endless hallways, infinite reflections, and a new twist and turn waiting around every corner. A true mind-blowing masterpiece! Bring your family and friends in today and let the FUN BEGIN!”
Please share your experiences at these or any of the wonderful places in Mall of America® in the comments below!
hi, great article. thanks for the opportunity to learn even more.
this is an amazing article, thanks.