Mall of America, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, is a great short trip from many places in Wisconsin. Here are the details on all the top attractions in the Mall of America. As the largest mall in America and the 9th largest mall in the world, there are so many things to do! Yes, there is plenty of shopping, but there are also tons of fun activities. We love going as a family or as a weekend away from the kids. You will find something for all ages here! Because there is so much to do, I find it helpful to prioritize activities before getting to the mall. It would be impractical both financially and time-wise, to try to do everything in a single weekend.
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Top Tips for Mall of America
- Try to go on a weekday to avoid crowds
- If you are going on more than a few rides, get the unlimited wristband
- Plan to spend the whole day at the Mall
- Mall of America opens at 10 am
- If you are on a budget, bring snacks and water bottles
- Leave coats in the car so there are less things to haul around.
- If your kids still use strollers, bring one. There can be a lot of walking.
Nickelodeon Universe
Nickelodeon Universe is the amusement park in the center of the Mall of America and is one of the top attractions. It is filled with rides! There is something for everyone, from toddlers to thrill seekers.
- On the Log Chute, you will get wet but not soaked. Riders in the front get more wet. Sometimes, you can buy a photo of your ride.
- Even though it’s a small amusement park, it’s a maze, so I always write my phone number on any kid who hasn’t memorized my number yet.
- For older kids that still don’t have phones, consider picking a meeting spot in case you get separated.
- Not all rides are open all day, so be sure to look for the schedule at the line of any favorites if you are tight on time.
- Kids must use tickets or a wristband for the Paw Patrol play area.
There is no height requirement to play in the Paw Patrol Adventure City. Watch out; there is a line on the weekends! You also need to have tickets or a wristband to take your turn. Guardians can go in with kids for free, and they cycle everyone out every 20 minutes.
There are eight rides with no minimum height as long as there is a chaperone. The chaperone can ride for free. Starting at 36″, some rides allow kids to go without their chaperone. The famous Log Chute has a minimum height of only 36″ as long as they ride with a chaperone! At 42″, the kids get to start some scarier rides, including the Splat-O-Sphere and the Orange Streak Rollercoaster. Kids need to be 43″ to get on the Fairly Odd Coaster. That one is a family favorite! At 48″, they can get on all the rides! That includes more roller coasters, Shredder’s Mutant Masher, and more. For more details on ride requirements, see page 13 of the rider safety manual.
The Lego Store
The Lego Store is right off Nickelodeon Universe. Keep in mind that it is not a Lego Land with tons of activities. The closest Legoland is in Chicago. The store in the Mall of America sells all sorts of Legos and has lots of examples of built sets. There is a mini fig build factory where you can pick out each item. There are also HUGE Lego builds to oooh and ahhh at. My favorite part is the play section. Kids can play with Legos for free, and there are some places for tired parents to sit. When my kids are overstimulated, this is a nice place to let them decompress, but it depends on how busy everything is. Check the upcoming events before you come, sometimes they have free take and build kits!
SEA LIFE Aquarium
The SEA LIFE Aquarium is one of my favorite places in the Mall of America. It is a fairly small but well-put-together Aquarium with a loop everyone winds through. This includes a large tunnel under the water with sharks, sting rays, and tons of tropical fish. There is a sting ray touch tank towards the end where you can buy food to feed to rays for a few extra bucks.
If you love aquariums, consider going to the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago. It is a stand-alone aquarium and is really impressive! If you can splurge, consider a special animal encounter. Another fantastic stand-alone aquarium, the Great Lakes Aquarium, can be found in Duluth, which has sharks, eels, otters, snapping turtles, and more.
Crayola Experience for Kids
What kid doesn’t like to color? This kid-focused Crayola Experience blends science, art, and a play area to get their energy out. Each guest gets a bag on entry; look inside for tokens and tickets for different features, including the opportunity to name your own crayon color, mold a crayon into a fun shape, make splatter art, and more.
There is a dedicated play structure on which to run and climb. There is only one main entry/exit of the play structure, so it is easy to keep track of everyone. Check the daily schedule for a video and live demonstration on making crayons. Kids 2 and under are free.
Physically Exhillerating Attractions
Looking for a bit more adrenaline? Try the Dutchman Deck Adventure Course; it includes zip lines, a ropes course, and slides. There is a discount if you also buy an unlimited ride wristband for Nickelodeon Universe. There are also individual attractions, including a gangplank, a large zipline, and a spiral slide. It is usually not open during the week.
ClimbZone has artistic rock walls available for rock climbing. These overlook Nickelodeon Universe. The tallest is 40 feet. The age minimum is only 2 years! The weight maximum is 275lb, so many adults can participate as well. They include an orientation, and the ropes are all auto belays. If you haven’t climbed much in the past, your forearms will wear out QUICK, so don’t over-commit.
Looking for some fun shenanigans and a unique experience? Try the Double Dare Human Crane. It isn’t cheap at $20 per experience, but the laughs may make it worth it. They limit it to one prize per player. The prizes are large inflatable toys. You must be at least 42″ tall and less than 300 lbs to participate. It’s right on the edge of Nickelodeon universe.
Tactile Urban Combat offers laser tag, nerf battles, and virtual reality. Sessions are sold in 30-minute sections, with a huge indoor space to enjoy. Open sessions start approximately every 30 minutes, and if there is room for the session following yours, you can sign up for a second session for only $10. Nerf Battle is for six-year-olds and up, while VR and Laser Tag are for eight-year-olds and up.
To really burn off some energy and test your problem-solving abilities, try Activate. This active gaming facility is designed for adults and may be challenging for those under 10, but kids six and up can try it. Be sure to wear comfortable clothes!
More Mall of America Attractions for Young Kids
They recently opened the Cocomelon Playdate. This is a combination of a children’s museum and a playground. I wish they had this when my kids were little! At 5 and 7 I think they have mostly outgrown this.
Dream Riders are motorized stuffed animals you can ride on and drive. They are simple to operate, and most kids four and over can handle it. They move at a walking pace.
Mall of America has a Build-A-Bear location. It allows the stuffie lover in your life to personalize a teddy bear or stuffie. With all the customizable options, this can get pricey quick, so know your budget before going inside.
Attractions in the Mall of America for All Ages
Check out FlyOver America. You will sit in a chair with your feet dangling and a HUGE screen. There are 4D effects (think smells, feeling the wind, etc). Kids have to be at least 40″. The ride lasts about 10 minutes, but you will need some time in the pre-boarding area.
They have an old-time photo set at the Mall of America. You know, the ones where you get fantastic costumes from bygone eras? Think Old West, the Civil War, or the Renaissance. The set at the Mall of America has two more unique themes: pirates and Vikings! But you have to make an appointment ahead of time for those two.
Visit the Museum of Illusions to bend your brain and make the kids wonder. The exhibits feature lots of fun lighting and mirrors, such as kaleidoscopes and the illusion of the floating head. There are photo opportunities that take advantage of proportions and angled floors to make quirky photos. Kids 4 and under are free. It takes roughly 45 minutes but can go slower or faster depending on how long you spend at each area.
Moose Mountain and Rock of Ages Mini Golf. Kids 5 and under are free for both places. Admission tickets are the same price for each.
The Mirror Maze is $12. It’s a fun way to spend a bit of time. Remember, you aren’t supposed to touch any of the mirrors, which can get tricky for younger kids. Every time we enter one of these, one of my kids crashes headlong into a mirror.
Like most malls, the Mall of America features a movie theater. It’s called B&B Theaters and is on the top floor.
Top Attractions at Mall of America for Teens and Adults.
The Escape Game in the Mall of America is top-notch! Escape rooms “lock” you into a room, provide a storyline, and allow you to search out clues to solve the mystery and “escape” the room. The Mall of America Escape Rooms are a step above most. The rooms are exceptionally well decorated, and all the sets have multiple rooms, so once you start solving, you will get access to more clues and puzzles. Give it a try!
The Great Big Game Show is right next to the Escape Room. It is for 2-14 people. There are various classic games and a trained actor portraying the game show host. They work to keep it exciting and new. Is anyone up for a family feud or Plinko? Remember, this isn’t actually a game show, so the prize is bragging rights rather than cash or a new car.
The Fair on 4 is on, you guessed it, the fourth floor. They have real-deal go-karts that require helmets and are fast. The minimum age is 11. They also have the ever-popular ax throwing for those 11 years and older.
Wink World is a “Psychedelic Arthouse meets Carnival Funhouse.” It is 20 minutes long and moves you through 6 timed rooms. Get ready for pictures! This is a great place to snap for your social media posts.
Deals and Specials
They often offer attraction Bundles where you get better deals if you buy more than one attraction online before getting to the Mall. It’s worth checking these out and buying ahead if you know what you want to do. They generally separate the attractions into A and B tiers. Tier A includes SeaLife, Crayola, Flyover, ClimbZone, the Escape Game, Great Big Game Show, and Activate while Tier B includes either mini golf course, the mirror maze, or the 5D experience.
While it’s not included in the bundles, you can get a discount on the zip line activities with the purchase of a ride pass. You have 3 days to use these bundles.
On slow days, the Escape Room offers players a chance to buy discounted same-day games. The last time we were there on a Tuesday in December, we got our 2nd game 40% off.
Tuesdays are a day with a lot of special offers. The second Tuesday of the month is called “Toddler Tuesdays.” The deals are focused on toddlers but include older kids, too! A handful of restaurants offer kids meals free with the purchase of an adult meal or other kid-specific deals. A weekly Tuesday discount on Nickelodeon Universe is only for toddlers. It provides a 5-hour wristband for young kids at a discount.
There are military discounts available here.
Parking and Logistics
Don’t overthink the parking. There are lots of spots, and you have to walk some, no matter where you park. I would just set your GPS to the Mall and then follow the signs. If you want to learn more about the different options or how full each place is, check out the details here.
Lodging
I suggest looking at the Country Inn and Suites by Radisson. They are affordable, have complimentary breakfast, free parking, an indoor pool, and 4.5 stars on Google reviews. They are right across from the mall, with a skylight linking their parking lot to the mall.
The JW Marriott is connected to the Mall of America, which is super convenient if it is within your budget. It is a four-star hotel. Prices in February of 2025 ranged from $256-$405 per night. It has a pool, and you pay extra for breakfast and parking.
The Radisson Blue is attached to the Mall of America via a skywalk. Prices in February of 2025 ranged from $192-$334, with more options on the lower end than at the JW Marriott. There is a pool, and you pay extra for breakfast and parking.
If you want to pack in the fun, consider the Great Wolf Lodge in Bloomington. It is close to the Mall of America and has a full indoor waterpark! Warning, you may be too exhausted to fully enjoy the Great Wolf if you are at the Mall all day.
The Wyndham across the street has an enticing pool area for younger kids if that is important to your family. We’ve been here twice. Once, it was great, but the next time, the kid’s pool was closed without warning, and the main pool was PACKED. I picked this hotel because it is so close to the Mall you can walk there. We still drove. The reviews aren’t great, so I’ll look elsewhere next time. They do have complimentary breakfast and free parking.
In Conclusion
Mall of America has a ton of great attractions to keep people of a wide variety of interests and ages having fun. From adrenaline lovers to toddlers, date night to a family getaway, there really is something for everyone. My favorite attractions are the Escape Game and Sealife, but I’m sure my kids would say Nickelodeon Universe is the best. What is your favorite? Comment below.
If you are looking for more things to do in Minneapolis, they have two Zoos. The Como Zoo is free and has a great seal/sea lion show! The Minnesota Zoo has a shark touch tank and llama walk-through. Snake Discovery is a small place on the NE part of the cities but has tons of cool reptiles; stay for the free tour- it’s worth it.
There are many fantastic and free playgrounds in the cities. Search “playground” in Google Maps and filter it by “top rated.”
Slick City opened in the spring of 2025 with 15-20 HUGE slides. I would describe them as waterslides without the water. We had a blast!
Like all big cities, there are some great museums. The Bakken Museum is a small and affordable museum with features that are attractive to various ages, including a static electricity “party” and lots of Kiva building blocks. The Science Museum of Minnesota is large and has many exhibits, and there is an excellent Children’s Museum.
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