Going to Mall of America - anybody familiar?

[zingsheim]

Hi gang, I'm going to Mall of America over spring break with my family. We're going to stay at hotel right by the Mall for two days, and then go to the Ramada Waterpark Hotel about 25 minutes away and stay there for two days. Never been up that way before. Anybody have any pointers for me? Places to eat, go, attractions, things not to do, etc. Thanks for any help!!

 

aaron

[Katuluu]

Their really are a ton better places to see then the MoA. What do you and your family like to do?

[RyDogg66]

Im sorry to hear that you have to go there. Best of luck to you.

[stoutdude04]

I live about an hour away, my gf always nags me to go there. On occasion I agree, its always a bad decision. The children will like the snoopy rides(if you have some young ones.) I just never have fun there, its so large. Good luck, you might love it. I do like the rainforest cafe, or whatever its called, my girlfriend likes some italian food place. All right in the mall.

[dadofandrew]

Johhny Rockets in the food court is really good. There's also a State Fair place that has very unhealthy foods we all love.

[craigharmann]

Wear comfortable shoes and plan on doing lots of walking!!! You have my prayers.

[JoeHova]

The Amusement Park in the mall isn't affiliated with Snoopy and them anymore.

 

Also, the only real reason to go to the mall is to shop, so bring plenty of money. There is no tax on clothes in Minnesota, so keep that in mind.

 

I never go there anymore unless there is something specific I need from one of the stores because it's basically just a big-ass mall that is always crowded, but it can be fun to see it for the first time. It's kind of a gigantic shrine to commercialism and consumption, so it's really a perfect American vacation spot.

[Blancofan1]

Rainforest Cafe is very good, and the LegoLand store (if it's still there) is a very fun waste of time if you're there with younger ones.

[stoutdude04]

The Amusement Park in the mall isn't affiliated with Snoopy and them anymore.

Ah, thats right. I forgot about that. Like I said, I try to stay as far away from the the whole mall in general. Thanks for the reminder.

[bork]

Been there a few times. The Underwater World Aquarium is very cool. One of the best aquariums I've been to. Moving walkways through glass tubes, with sharks and other fish all around you.

The amusement park has some fun rides. It is being made over into Nickelodeon Universe, so all the Snoopy characters are being replaced by Nickelodeon characters. They're also getting a number of new rides, including their first looping roller coaster.

There are quite a few restaurants, so take your pick. A lot of chains (Bubba Gump, Johnny Rockets, Rainforest, Famous Daves, Tony Roma, etc). No recommendations since they closed my favorite (Odyssey Restaurant).

The Minnesota Zoo had some cool things, like an indoor dolphin show and a monorail. Probably not as good as Milwaukee, but still some good stuff.