Bloomington's top attraction, the Mall of America, is not your regular mall. And there's outdoorsy fun galore on offer in this Midwest gem of a city, too.
Sitting almost equidistant between Minneapolis and St. Paul, the two major cities that give this region the Twin Cities nickname, Bloomington is a great place to base yourself. It's relatively compact, it's very welcoming and it's home to an enormous mall, the biggest in the country, covering around 4,870,000 square feet. It's got around 500 retail spaces, so no matter what you're looking to buy, you're pretty much guaranteed to find it here.
But there's more to the Mall of America than just, well, mall stuff. The complex is also home to many attractions that are catnip for kids: the Nickelodeon Universe theme park, the Sea Life Minnesota Aquarium, the Crayola Experience, Moose Mountain Adventure Golf…you get the picture. It's fun here. A lot of fun.
Offering a sharp contrast—but also a big draw for families—is Bloomington's other headline attraction: the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge. Taking in 14,000 acres, this protected green space offers the chance to spot all kinds of wildlife species as you explore its various habitats. Look for bald eagles.
When you need a change of scenery from Bloomington, make the short drive north to the state's largest city, Minneapolis, known for its mouth-watering dining scene. Or, head northeast instead to the state capitol, St. Paul, with its historic buildings.