Mall of America

Mall of America in Bloomington is the largest mall in the United States, and for families, it is far more than a shopping destination. At 5.6 million square feet with 520 stores, an indoor amusement park, an aquarium, and dozens of entertainment venues, it functions as an indoor city that can consume an entire day.

Nickelodeon Universe is the centerpiece family attraction -- a full-scale indoor amusement park in the center of the mall with 27 rides including roller coasters, a log flume, spinning rides, and kiddie rides. For younger children, SpongeBob and Dora character meet-and-greets are available throughout the day. The park is loud, colorful, and exciting.

Pricing works two ways: unlimited ride wristbands ($40-55 depending on height/day) or individual ride tickets ($5-8 per ride). If your kids only want 4-5 rides, individual tickets save money. If they want to ride everything, the wristband is the clear choice.

SEA LIFE Minnesota Aquarium occupies the basement level with a walk-through tunnel, touch pools, and a shark exhibit. It is smaller than major standalone aquariums but well-designed and engaging for kids, especially the tunnel where sharks and rays swim overhead.

Crayola Experience ($25/person) is an interactive attraction where kids name and wrap their own crayon, melt crayons into shapes, create digital art, and color on everything. It is best for ages 3-10 and takes about 2 hours.

The LEGO Store is a destination in itself. Beyond retail, it has a large free play area where kids can build with thousands of LEGO bricks for as long as they want. Massive LEGO sculptures throughout the mall (dinosaurs, superheroes) serve as photo opportunities.

FlyOver America is a flight simulation ride that suspends riders above a curved screen showing aerial footage of American landscapes with wind, mist, and scent effects. It is accessible to all ages and provides a brief but memorable experience.

A critical financial note: Mall of America can be very expensive or very affordable depending on your approach. Walking the mall, playing at the LEGO Store, browsing the American Girl store, and people-watching costs nothing. Doing Nickelodeon Universe + SEA LIFE + Crayola Experience for a family of four exceeds $400. Be strategic.

Minnesota's tax code helps: there is no sales tax on clothing in Minnesota, making the mall a legitimately good place to buy kids' clothes, shoes, and outerwear.