2026 Bloomington Travel Guide: must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transport & travel experiences (updated in September)

A Must-Visit in Minnesota! I Visited the Mall of America If you're visiting Minnesota, one place you absolutely must visit is the Mall of America. As the name suggests, it's a massive shopping mall representative of America. However, when I actually went there, it was a little different from the "big shopping mall" I had imagined. It even has an amusement park and an aquarium inside! It's incredibly huge! The Mall of America is located in Bloomington, Minnesota. It houses approximately 520 stores and 50 restaurants, and is simply vast. Just walking around inside the building covers a considerable distance. And the most surprising thing is the central part of the mall. There, you'll find a gigantic indoor amusement park, "Nickelodeon Universe." An amusement park right in the middle of a mall! A normal amusement park would have shops and restaurants inside, right? But here, it's the opposite. There's an amusement park right in the middle of the shopping mall. With attractions like roller coasters, it's enjoyable for both children and adults. And because it's indoors, you can play regardless of the weather, even in Minnesota's cold winters. Imagine a roller coaster running inside the mall while it's covered in snow outside... This contrast is fascinating. There's a full-fledged aquarium in the basement. Even more surprising is the "SEA LIFE Minnesota Aquarium." There's an aquarium in the basement of the mall! You can see sharks, sea turtles, rays, and more, and there's even an underwater tunnel. You come to shop, but then you go down to the basement and find an aquarium. The Mall of America is truly extraordinary. Another popular attraction is "FlyOver America," where you can experience flying over various parts of America from the sky while watching a giant screen. Not only do the seats move, but there are also effects like wind and mist, giving you the feeling of actually flying. It's a really fun attraction because you can "travel" to various places in America in a short amount of time. Shopping is also abundant. Of course, since it's a shopping mall, you can also enjoy shopping. There are stores in a wide range of genres, including apparel, sporting goods, sneakers, cosmetics, and general merchandise. There are also stores familiar in Japan, such as Apple, LEGO, and M&M's. However, it's not an outlet mall, so it's more of a place to enjoy the unique American stores and product selection rather than a place to "buy things as cheaply as possible." Entry is free. The great thing is that admission to the mall itself is free. While attractions such as the amusement park and aquarium are paid, there is no charge to simply walk around the mall, browse the shops, or watch the amusement park. Therefore, you can easily drop by even if you just "want to take a look." Having actually visited, I can say that the Mall of America's greatest appeal lies in more than just being a "large shopping mall." Shopping, an amusement park, an aquarium, restaurants, and entertainment—all packed into one building. Especially on your first visit, you'll be quite surprised by its scale. Even if you're not particularly interested in shopping, simply walking around the mall is enjoyable, making it well worth a visit as part of your Minnesota sightseeing. If you have the time, I recommend spending about half a day leisurely exploring. If you're in Minnesota, it's a must-visit spot to experience the sheer scale of America.

Lorth Denny 2026

Day 9 Mall of America The largest sale in the United States today is a Bloomington, Minnesota with more than 520 shops, 60 restaurants, a large indoor amusement park called Nickelodeon Universe, the SEA LIFE Aquarium, and numerous other attractions. It is the largest shopping center in the United States and the Western Hemisphere and is owned and managed by the Triple Five Group, which owns the American Dream Shopping Center and West Edmonton Shopping Center. The shopping center opened in 1992 and attracts more than 40 million visitors each year. Walking into the Mall first attracted by the cheers of children in the playground. Tall Lego models attract many children where to cut blocks, and many rides including miniature ferris wheel, miniature jumping machine, etc However, those amusement facilities are more suitable for younger children 😊 Even parents can accompany their children to ride a mini train, walking in the mall, is also extremely rare ah 😅 Maybe the summer vacation relationship came here twice saw many children in the playground playing rides😂 Shopping mall must have a variety of famous shops, located in different places in the mall, the shopping environment is good, but the prices of brand stores are not cheap at all. The third floor is a food-only area with a variety of different delicacies available. When you get tired of shopping and play, go to the food court public area on the 3rd floor to rest. In addition to the store there are some display areas. Hockey giant helmet, I was also the first time I saw such a big helmet, divided into several rows, different colors, different styles. The whole series is spectacular. So it is a comprehensive entertainment venue for entertainment, shopping and leisure for the whole family🤗 The light rail Blue Line in the city center provides direct access to the shopping center or you can drive yourself, there is a parking lot with lots of parking spaces 🅿️🅿️🅿️ for travel options. There is also an oversized IKEA furniture next to it, so after visiting the Mall of America, you can also go to IKEA Furniture to buy household items😁 #mallofamerica

· *Itinerary** · *Day 1:** · Morning: Visit the Indiana University Bloomington campus and stroll through the picturesque arboretum. · Afternoon: Explore the Bloomington Community Farmers' Market (check for operating days). · Evening: Enjoy a performance at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater. · *Day 2:** · Morning: Hike at the Hoosier National Forest and enjoy scenic views. · Afternoon: Tour the Bloomington Museum of Art. · Evening: Relax by Lake Monroe and have a picnic. · *Day 3:** · Morning: Visit the WonderLab Museum of Science, Health, and Technology. · Afternoon: Explore downtown Bloomington’s local shops and boutiques. · Evening: Attend a live music event at The Bluebird. 🏨 **Accommodation** · Courtyard Edina Bloomington: A stylish hotel located perfectly. 🍴 **Food Recommendations for Indian** · Udupi Cafe: Offers delicious vegetarian South Indian dishes. · Taste of India: Known for its authentic North Indian cuisine. 📌 **Tips** · Use public transport or rent a bike to explore the city easily. · Check local events for festivals or activities happening during your visit. · *#Bloomington #TravelGuide #ExploreIndiana #IndianCuisine #AdventureAwaits**#travel #familytrip

#OverseasTravel I'll introduce some of the places I visited during my recent trip to Minnesota where I enjoyed eating, playing, and having fun! 1. Mall of America Not only is there shopping, but there's also a huge variety of restaurants and food courts inside. It was great to be able to grab a quick bite after a long day of exploring. There's also an amusement park (Nickelodeon Universe), so you can enjoy both shopping and activities all in one place. 2. 5-8 Club Burgers Minnesota's famous Juicy Lucy burger! The cheese is encased in the patty, so when you bite into it, the hot cheese oozes out. The meat patties are thick and juicy, making it a truly filling meal. 3. TGI Friday's It's a chain restaurant, but it has a distinctly American feel. The barbecue ribs are tender and the atmosphere is perfect with the cocktails. The portions are generous, so if you go with friends, you can order a variety of dishes and share. 4. Korean Restaurant There are quite a few Korean restaurants in both the Duluth and Minneapolis areas, but the one I went to had delicious stew and bulgogi. The kimchi tasted just like Korea, making it perfect for those times when I missed home while traveling. 5. Vietnamese Restaurant (Pho & Bahn Mi) The pho broth was rich and hearty, warming my stomach. The fresh herbs and lime juice brought out the flavors, and the bánh mì sandwich was a delicious combination of meat and vegetables on a crispy baguette. 6. Caribou Coffee A popular local coffee chain in Minnesota! Their signature "Caramel High Rise" is smooth and sweet, perfect for a sweet break during your trip. The warm and cozy interior made it a great place to take a break from shopping or sightseeing. #RestaurantExploration #MallOfAmerica

Starting the review of Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Bloomington at Mall of America! I recently stayed at the Country Inn & Suites by Radisson hotel due to a meeting in the Minneapolis area, and it was a very satisfying experience. What I liked the most was the well-equipped fitness center, which allowed me to maintain my workout routine even while traveling. The room was clean and spacious, providing a comfortable place to relax. I was particularly impressed by the complimentary breakfast, which was diverse and fresh, giving me a great start to the day. I would recommend this hotel to both families and business travelers!

📍 Itinerary Overview 🚩 Sightseeing Route 🏖️ Must-Visit Attractions 🚇 Transportation 📷 Photo Spots 🍜 Local Cuisine 🏠 Accommodation 1.MainStay Suites MSP Airport - Mall of America 💡 Tips

Getting There - Attractions - Hotels - Food & Restaurants - Shopping -mall American

📍 Itinerary Overview 🚩 Sightseeing Route 🏖️ Must-Visit Attractions 🚇 Transportation 📷 Photo Spots 🍜 Local Cuisine 🏠 Accommodation 1.MainStay Suites MSP Airport - Mall of America 💡 Tips

📍 Itinerary Overview 🚩 Sightseeing Route 🏖️ Must-Visit Attractions 🚇 Transportation 📷 Photo Spots 🍜 Local Cuisine 🏠 Accommodation 1.MainStay Suites MSP Airport - Mall of America 💡 Tips

Mantel Ray, sharks, arapaima, jelly fish ….. and more . It’s in the mall .

Visit this interesting mirror room on level 3 in Mall of America at Minneapolis .

nice idea

Mall of America located in Bloomington, Minnesota is one of the largest and most visited shopping malls in the United States. With 520 stores, 50 restaurants and attractions including Nickelodeon Universe, the nation's largest indoor theme park, and the new American Girl store the options are unlimited in Mall of America. Highly recommended for locals and tourists alike! 😀 #summervacation#hotelstay#urbanexplorer