Bloomington – A mecca for shoppers and outdoor enthusiasts

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In a viewing tunnel at SEA LIFE Minnesota Aquarium

A shopping and outdoor enthusiasts’ paradise

Bloomington

Over 42 million tourists from close and far visit Bloomington each year. They travel to Mall of America because it is an incredible shopping destination with 520 stores, 50 restaurants, and more attractions than some theme parks. You have to see it to believe it. Additionally, making the pilgrimage is simple: You can get there with a short metro ride from the airport in Minneapolis-Saint Paul. But if you walk outside of this retail haven, you’ll find parks, gardens, trails, and preserves that provide outdoor entertainment all year long.

Mall of America

The USA’s largest retail and entertainment complex is anchored by Macy’s and Nordstrom and offers the full spectrum of stores, from designer labels like kate spade new york, Burberry and Michael Kors to top tech stops Apple and Microsoft. Find culinary shops, toy stores, beauty bars and more, as well as no tax on all clothing and shoe purchases. Visit the mall’s Nickelodeon Universe, a full-scale theme park with 27 rides, or head to SEA LIFE Minnesota Aquarium to see thousands of sea creatures. You can even soar to great heights at FlyOver America, a high-tech flight-simulation ride over the entire country. And for the little ones there’s Crayola Experience, full of hands-on exhibits and attractions designed with creativity and innovation in mind.

 

Winter Wonderland

Visiting in winter and tempted to just hole up in the mall? Instead, do as the locals do and embrace this invigorating season. Go skating at 13 outdoor ice rinks, ski the Hyland Hills, or set out on a snowshoe or cross-country ski course – Bloomington is laced with trails. Try your hand at Broomball – a Canadian ice game – or go ice fishing at Hyland Lake Park Reserve, which also features walking trails, a play area and disc golf. The reserve’s Richardson Nature Center lets you engage with the area’s native flora and fauna in winter while staying snug inside.

 

Refined Nature and Culture

Explore Bloomington’s natural beauty at Minnesota Valley National Wildlife refuge, 5,670 hectares of land devoted to preserving the wetlands, migratory birds, fish and other wildlife that inhabit 113 kilometers in the region. Follow the trails to investigate several different habitats, including tallgrass prairie and floodplain forest. Bike or walk over the historic Old Cedar Avenue Bridge across the Minnesota River for a beautiful view of Bloomington and the refuge. At Normandale Community College’s Japanese Garden, you’ll see 300 trees and shrubs maintained in the Japanese style, as well as a drum-shaped bridge, waterfalls, streams, lagoons and pagodas. End your visit with a stop at Bloomington Center for the Arts, which houses exhibitions and hosts theater and dance performances.