Did you know that The Mall of America could hold 7 Yankee Stadiums, 32 Boeing 747’s or 24,336 school buses? More than 1,000,000 people visit it annually, that’s more than Disney World, Graceland and the Grand Canyon combined! It’s the most popular attraction in Minnesota and by some accounts the third most popular tourist destination in America. Let’s not forget it’s basically just a mall on steroids. However, when have you seen a full size amusement park in a mall? It’s impossible not to be impressed by the sheer size of it. My mouth literally dropped open for the first few minutes when I was wandering around
It’s not quite the charming place in the middle I was expecting though. First of all its at the center of a whole bunch of highways (makes sense) the hotels around it are really expensive and the airport is about 12 feet away so there are planes zooming over your head all day, fortunately they don’t seem to keep up that pace at night.
It has 520 stores and 50 restaurants. If you forget where you park your car, you’re in big trouble. I would just report it stolen and let the cops find it, that’s why I left mine at the hotel and walked over. I wandered through the mall for hours and didn’t see the entrance I came in once. It’s most definitely worth a visit and the people watching as you can imagine is the best part, but it’s not a place I feel compelled to come back to any time soon. With that being said, I’m glad I can say I’ve been to The Mall of America
Those of you that saw my Facebook post asking my friends to decide if I should go back will know that the overwhelming decision was YES GO! Glad I did, took a few more photos climbed to the top of The Ghostly Gangplank and rode the coaster–woo hoo!
Yes, that is a picture of me sitting on the Forest Gump bench in front of the Bubba Gump Shrimp Company with my feet in his shoes. You’ll probably also recognize the big kid in the front car of the roller coaster!
The best part of the visit for sure was watching all the families enjoying themselves and taking the time to look around at all the beautiful faces surrounding me and they were everywhere!
There used to be a TV show on TLC called “Mall Cops” – all about the security team at the Mall of America. They actually have officers on bikes that help you find your car when you forget your parking spot. Only in America I guess! Great pix!
I thought I would check in to see how your progress is coming! Glad you appreciate downtown… for a mid-western city we are quite socially progressive and appreciative of the arts!
MOA: Yes, great to go if you’re here… I probably go twice a year, mostly because that is the only place we have a Nordstroms in MN. We actually went last week because we saw the Cirque de Soleil show on Saturday night.
Glad to see you are having fun in MN!