I decided to travel to Minnesota for the following reasons: I recently read a blog about Minnesota and Mall of America, my old college currently lives there, and I had a 3 day weekend.
What I failed to take into account was the COLD WEATHER. Weather app predicted -1 degree with the possibility of snow. As I prepared for the trip, I couldn’t find proper attire. I looked in stores like Burlington Coat Factory, Sears, Big 5 and Forever 21. The clothing stores didn’t have my size or were completely out of stock for winter clothing. I decided that I would wear a coat from my closet.
As the weekend approach, I unenthusiastically packed my suitcase. I was not looking forward the possibility of snow or leaving my sunny 70 degrees California weather.
I then remembered that I had the perfect coat: a pleather jacket lined with faux fur. After picking up the coat, I realized that the pleather was cracking and peeling. I decided to wear it on the plan anyway.After getting off the plane, I noticed that jacket continued to shed on the airplane floor.
At last, I had arrived in Minnesota and first stop was Mall Of America.
Mall of America Facts:
Biggest Mall in the USA 4.87 Million Square Feet
There is a light rail that can take you from the Minneapolis/St. Paul to the Mall of America
It has over 520 stores
You can get Married a the Chapel Of Love
No sales tax on clothing in Minnesota
Mall of America used to be Metropolitan Stadium, home of the Vikings and the Twins
1/3 visitors are tourist from another state or country
I’m not much of a shopper, so I was only interested in the amusement park: Nickelodeon Universe and other attractions. You can purchase an all day wristband for 34.99 which includes unlimited rides. They had rides such as Log Chute Ride, Bumper Cars, Zip Lining, Ropes Course Carousel, Character pictures, Ninja Turtle ride etc. You may be lucky, while standing at the kiosk, at least 2 different people offered a wristband for only $20. Although the rides looked fun we decided to go to the Sea Life Aquarium and Fly Over America for $35.
I really enjoyed the aquarium because we were able to interact with some of the animals, saw interesting exhibits and there was a really cool fish tank.
Fly over America can be best described as virtual reality ride. You watch a safety video and then are taken to your seat. While seating in the chair, you watch a screen that is filled with images from around the world. Several senses such as sight, touch and smell are awakened. I felt gushes of wind as we flew over mountains and felt the breeze while flying over beaches.
After our activities we decided to eat at the food court, I ate at Thai restaurant which was tasty and brought back memories of my Thailand trip. As my friend and I were talking in the food court, I heard someone calling my name. I looked up and it’s my cousin’s friend whom I had not seen in years. This was coincidence as she didn’t know I was visiting Minnesota and the Mall is huge. What are the odds that we run into each other? I was happy to see her and glad we ran into each other.
If you are wondering what I did with the jacket, I decided that this was no longer a functioning jacket and I left it in Minnesota. LOL
I went in October and had fun. It was cold then too. I loved Fly Over America.
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I may have read your blog or video that prompted me to take a trip there. I loved Fly over America as well.
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My mom keeps pressing us about visiting the Mall. I kind of feel like it would be fun the first day but what do you do on day 2 and 3? The aquarium looks awesome! Love the jellyfish exhibit.
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Do you live in Minnesota? I was only in town for the weekend and on day 2 or 3. I went to Paisley Park and some community events for MLK day. Yes I loved the aquarium.
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I can’t wait to see how you expand your winter wear since you travel so much. I have a friend who also just visited the Mall of America w/ her partner and they had a blast.
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I live in Los Angeles, so we don’t really have winter but I guess I should probably stock up on some winter clothes if I decided to go where its snowing. LOL I do have a couple items from when I lived in DC a couple years ago.
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I would LOVE to go here. I need to make it my business to go. Looks like you had a great time.
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This seems like it would be a great place to go and visit!
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I had no idea Mall of America had their own aquarium! I didnt know about the plastic bag info either good to know.
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What are the odds of seeing someone you know in this ginormous space indeed!!! Must have been quite the surprise. I’ve heard about this mall and l think l would be bored after an hour. I usually get bored at malls after like 20 minutes :-). I just hate shopping. Glad you had fun!
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The Mall of America is on my must visit list. I love shopping and with all the activities there, I know it would be a great trip for my entire family.
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Glad you enjoyed yourself at the MOA. I live by it so I know it like the back of my hand.
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Looks like it was so much fun! My daughter keeps asking me to take her there.
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I definitely want to visit the mall when I get to Minnesota. I would have LOVED to see Black Santa but I hope the rollercoaster is still there when I get there.
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I so want to visit the Mall of America, but with 520 stores I’m not sure my wallet wants to (lol). Loved the aquarium and the virtual flight sounds like fun.
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I am not a huge fan of mall shopping either. But I’d love to visit this mall just for the rides and such. Looks like a lot of fun
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I have always wanted to visit the Mall of America! But I’m not sure if my wallet can handle it or if I have the stamina!
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I’ve never been to the Mall of America. It looks really fun. I would lose my mind with all the shopping possibilities. I would like to visit the aquarium as well. Thanks for sharing your experience and photos.
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This is probably the last place I need to be!!! I’d go broke in a matter of minutes!
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That is my kinda mall! Looks like a blast.
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