scorecardI visited the Mall of America and I'd recommend it to anyone, but not for the shopping
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I visited the Mall of America and I'd recommend it to anyone, but not for the shopping

Mary Meisenzahl   

I visited the Mall of America and I'd recommend it to anyone, but not for the shopping
Jim Mone/AP Photo
  • I spent a day at Mall of America in Minneapolis.
  • Visitors, like me, gravitated toward rides and experiences over shops.

I recently had the chance to stop by Mall of America in Minneapolis, and as a retail reporter I couldn't say no.

I recently had the chance to stop by Mall of America in Minneapolis, and as a retail reporter I couldn
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

I came directly from the airport on Minneapolis' metro, the city's main source of public transit.

I came directly from the airport on Minneapolis
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

The metro conveniently has a stop right at the mall, which is actually located in a suburb of the city.

The metro conveniently has a stop right at the mall, which is actually located in a suburb of the city.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

Luckily, there were lockers available to rent right before entering the mall.

Luckily, there were lockers available to rent right before entering the mall.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

The bigger sizes were large enough to hold carry-on luggage or maybe even a medium suitcase. The process reminded me of renting lockers at a theme park.

The bigger sizes were large enough to hold carry-on luggage or maybe even a medium suitcase. The process reminded me of renting lockers at a theme park.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

The metro dropped me in a station that was essentially a parking garage, so I had to take escalators up to the actual mall.

The metro dropped me in a station that was essentially a parking garage, so I had to take escalators up to the actual mall.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

Mall of America is the largest mall in North America, and the ninth largest in the world.

Mall of America is the largest mall in North America, and the ninth largest in the world.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

It brings in 40 million visitors each year.

It brings in 40 million visitors each year.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

The mall has plenty of exhibits that wouldn't be found in a typical mall. I had to walk past the aquarium entrance to reach the main area of the mall.

The mall has plenty of exhibits that wouldn
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

Visitors have to buy tickets to enter the aquarium, so I peaked down into the expansive space below the main shopping areas.

Visitors have to buy tickets to enter the aquarium, so I peaked down into the expansive space below the main shopping areas.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

The 5.6 million square foot shopping center is set up around a central rotunda.

The 5.6 million square foot shopping center is set up around a central rotunda.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

Part of the center is occupied by a large basketball court, which is surrounded by a net. There's also a stage in the center of the court.

Part of the center is occupied by a large basketball court, which is surrounded by a net. There
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

The first real store I entered was the M&M store, which was much bigger than it first appeared.

The first real store I entered was the M&M store, which was much bigger than it first appeared.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

Though there were plenty of things to purchase, it was set up more like an experiential tour than a store.

Though there were plenty of things to purchase, it was set up more like an experiential tour than a store.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

The M&M store alone was three stories tall, with escalators and an elevator inside.

The M&M store alone was three stories tall, with escalators and an elevator inside.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

I took the elevator up the M&M store, and exited into the Nickelodeon theme park in the center of the mall.

I took the elevator up the M&M store, and exited into the Nickelodeon theme park in the center of the mall.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

Nickelodeon Universe is the largest indoor theme park in the US, with 28 rides across seven acres.

Nickelodeon Universe is the largest indoor theme park in the US, with 28 rides across seven acres.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

It operates more like a carnival or county fair than a typical amusement park. You buy virtual tickets at kiosks located around the park.

It operates more like a carnival or county fair than a typical amusement park. You buy virtual tickets at kiosks located around the park.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

Then you get a pass that can be scanned to enter rides.

Then you get a pass that can be scanned to enter rides.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

Larger roller coasters required more tickets than smaller kiddie rides.

Larger roller coasters required more tickets than smaller kiddie rides.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

I rode a few rides, but my favorite was the Fairly OddParents spinning roller coaster.

I rode a few rides, but my favorite was the Fairly OddParents spinning roller coaster.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

I was impressed at the scale of rides in the indoor setting, though admittedly this one made me a bit nauseous.

I was impressed at the scale of rides in the indoor setting, though admittedly this one made me a bit nauseous.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

The rides were neatly integrated into the mall since there was no roped off area for ticket holders, and many rides had their own accompanying stores.

The rides were neatly integrated into the mall since there was no roped off area for ticket holders, and many rides had their own accompanying stores.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

Many of the rides seemed intended to generate nostalgia in visitors, with imagery from older Nickelodeon shows no longer on the air.

Many of the rides seemed intended to generate nostalgia in visitors, with imagery from older Nickelodeon shows no longer on the air.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

Past favorites like "Avatar the Last Airbender" and "Spongebob Squarepants" made appearances.

Past favorites like "Avatar the Last Airbender" and "Spongebob Squarepants" made appearances.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

I enjoyed the inclusion of details from the shows ...

I enjoyed the inclusion of details from the shows ...
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

... like a bounce house replica of Spongebob's iconic pineapple house.

... like a bounce house replica of Spongebob
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

Other rides more directly appealed to younger children.

Other rides more directly appealed to younger children.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

Some of the items, like this "Rugrats" puffer coat, were a bit baffling to me.

Some of the items, like this "Rugrats" puffer coat, were a bit baffling to me.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

A large store next to the rides was completely decked out in Nickelodeon merchandise, from toys to socks to slime.

A large store next to the rides was completely decked out in Nickelodeon merchandise, from toys to socks to slime.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

To recover from riding roller coasters, I waited in line at the Lego store.

To recover from riding roller coasters, I waited in line at the Lego store.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

I admired some of the huge Lego sculptures while I waited. The multi-story nature of the building made it possible to view the sculptures from different angles and distances, and really appreciate them.

I admired some of the huge Lego sculptures while I waited. The multi-story nature of the building made it possible to view the sculptures from different angles and distances, and really appreciate them.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

Inside, I was impressed by some of the Lego work, especially Mario and Luigi.

Inside, I was impressed by some of the Lego work, especially Mario and Luigi.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

As I made my way away from the theme park area and toward more traditional mall spaces, I was surprised by how much the crowd seemed to thin out.

As I made my way away from the theme park area and toward more traditional mall spaces, I was surprised by how much the crowd seemed to thin out.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

Away from the big attractions that make it unique, Mall of America just felt like any upscale mall.

Away from the big attractions that make it unique, Mall of America just felt like any upscale mall.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

Stores and eateries like Coach, Starbucks, and traditional department stores are mall staples.

Stores and eateries like Coach, Starbucks, and traditional department stores are mall staples.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

There were some stores that I've never seen in my standard mall visits, like Peloton.

There were some stores that I
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

The only areas that came close to the theme park in terms of crowds were the two food courts.

The only areas that came close to the theme park in terms of crowds were the two food courts.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

There are dozens of restaurants, from standard food court style fast food to more formal sit-down restaurants.

There are dozens of restaurants, from standard food court style fast food to more formal sit-down restaurants.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

I ate at fried chicken chain Bonchon, which served some of the best wings I've ever eaten.

I ate at fried chicken chain Bonchon, which served some of the best wings I
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

I wandered around a bit more after lunch.

I wandered around a bit more after lunch.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

I was struck by how many of the stores weren't exactly stores at all. Many of the storefronts were places to experience things, like taking photos or playing mini golf.

I was struck by how many of the stores weren
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

I walked by at least two mini golf courses, several escape rooms, and laser tag.

I walked by at least two mini golf courses, several escape rooms, and laser tag.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

The top floor was almost fully dedicated to experiences, including the Crayola store.

The top floor was almost fully dedicated to experiences, including the Crayola store.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

I didn't pay extra to go on the tour, but the store had dedicated spaces to creating custom products and trying out different colors.

I didn
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

The themed restaurants were also concentrated around this area.

The themed restaurants were also concentrated around this area.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

Margaritaville had a giant blender out front.

Margaritaville had a giant blender out front.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

The Rainforest Cafe was also very busy, with a line of customers waiting.

The Rainforest Cafe was also very busy, with a line of customers waiting.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

I made my way back toward where I came in, and workers were setting up a stage in the basketball court area.

I made my way back toward where I came in, and workers were setting up a stage in the basketball court area.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

I had a great time at Mall of America, and I'd definitely recommend other tourists make a stop, though not for the reasons I'd anticipated.

I had a great time at Mall of America, and I
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

Very few people seemed to be visiting the mall to shop, including me. I saw very few people actually carrying shopping bags, despite the hundreds of stores.

Very few people seemed to be visiting the mall to shop, including me. I saw very few people actually carrying shopping bags, despite the hundreds of stores.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

Visitors mostly seemed attracted to the rides, food court, and aquarium — the things that other malls don't usually have, or at least not in a way that compares to Mall of America.

Visitors mostly seemed attracted to the rides, food court, and aquarium — the things that other malls don
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

The mall is worth visiting as a destination, but it also shows the state of retail today.

The mall is worth visiting as a destination, but it also shows the state of retail today.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

People are willing to leave their homes for experiences, but actual shopping has largely moved online for many.

People are willing to leave their homes for experiences, but actual shopping has largely moved online for many.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

Do you have a story to share about a retail or restaurant chain? Email this reporter at mmeisenzahl@businessinsider.com.

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