Two Moro's Travels

Two Moro’s travel by Alina Moro

*“Shopping is my cardio, and the mall is my gym. Working out has never been more delightful!“

This place has it all. It is not a quick- stop by to pick something up type of mall; though you can do that if you live close. It  was built on the site of Metropolitan Stadium, previous home of the Minnesota Twins. It’s open 10am- 8pm daily and 11am -7pm on Sundays.  
You want to shop? It has over 500 stores.  Hmmm, can I expand my closet? 

Get hungry while shopping?  It has over 50 restaurants. Maybe size up on those pants?

Have kids with you that will get bored?  Nope, it has a 7-acre Nickelodeon theme indoor amusement park which we explored ourselves (with no kids 🙂 It was a fun experience as you will see in the pics.  Don’t forget to view the life–size lego displays and take pictures with the kids or yourself. 

Are we talking big? It is the largest mall in the United States measuring over 5.6 million square feet with 3 levels; there is a 4th level on the east side. Floor plans are easily available to guide you. It is also the largest in the Western hemisphere, and 12th largest in the world.  Think almost 10 football fields! The largest mall in the world is in China with 6.5 million sq feet, around 2,300 stores, with an indoor roller coaster. I looked it up; I was curious.

Need to get your steps in? Each level is over a mile. If you wanted to visit each store and spend, let’s say 10 minutes in each one (ok, some will take longer) It would take you over 83 hours.  Did you book a hotel for several nights?

Should you visit MOA? It is a tourist attraction that you must visit at least once if you get the chance. At least that’s what the 42 million yearly visitors indicate. We have been in Minnesota about 3 times and this time we decided we have to see this place. It did not disappoint. If you are serious about your complete adventure here , Amazon has you covered with Amazon’s unofficial guide to the Mall of America.  Not sponsoring this, just came across it and thought I’d share. 

How’s the parking? The parking is abundant and FREE. That pleasantly surprised me since the second largest mall in the U.S, the Dream Mall in New Jersey, aka MOA’s sister mall,  does charge for parking.

What else?  If shopping all the stores is not in your budget, It has a comedy club featuring comedians on the 4th level.  There is an 18-hole mini golf course.

Final thoughts: 

If you are in Minnesota, go. It’s a bucket list item if you’re into bucket lists.

Go to the Sweet Paris Creperie and Cafe and order the dulce de leche; you will  thank me later; drooling as I write this.

Even if you don’t have kids, walk around the amusement park. It will bring back your own childhood memories or your grown kids’ childhood. My husband and I took selfies and felt like kids ourselves. It was the most memorable part of the mall for me. 

It boosts Minnesota’s economy.  Actually there is so much to do in Minnesota, take the time to see this beautiful state that borders Lake Superior and lays claim to the beginning of the mighty Mississippi. 

* quote unknown