Travel to Minnesota? You betcha!
By Jim Herman

Travel is supposed to be about personal relaxation, sightseeing, and fun adventures, so why would shopping in Minnesota in the late fall and early winter be a great travel selection? The Mall of America has all this and more!

During the year, especially before the winter holidays and prior to school starting in late summer, airlines have charter flights from most major cities in the United States available for both daily and overnight shopping trips. The most heavily traveled air charter route is from Chicago where multiple daily flights are offered throughout the year. Twenty-seven percent of tourists, who visit this largest mall in the world every year, use air travel from all parts of the globe. Since four out of every 10 visits are from tourists, there must something special luring them through the doors. There are more visitors than there are residents –more than 28 million people who live within a days drive.

This 4.2 million square foot retail and entertainment complex is housed in one enclosed super structure. Inside this massive building the constant year-round temperature of 70 degrees greets over 42 million visitors each year.

So what IS the attraction to the Mall of America? Perhaps it is Camp Snoopy, which is the largest indoor-themed entertainment park in America. Located on seven acres, it offers over 25 rides and attractions, including two roller coasters and a giant Ferris wheel. Camp Snoopy contains natural wood buildings and shops with live full-size trees, a waterfall, and a stream flowing through the middle of the indoor park.

Maybe it’s the LEGO® Imagination Center, that appeals to both adults and children, with its large children’s play area. Then again it may be the Underwater Adventures Aquarium. Walking under millions of gallons of water, every species of fish inquisitively look you over from behind the glass walls as you follow the cave-like pathway under and through the aquarium.

These key attractions including over 520 world-class shopping outlets, NASCAR Silicon Motor Speedway and Jillian’s Hi-Life Lanes, certainly may explain why so many people from all over the world visit this amazing complex every year.

Located in Bloomington Minn., just minutes from the Minneapolis/St. Paul airport and just a few miles south of Minneapolis, the mall opened its doors in August 1992.All major hotel and motels are nearby and offer shuttle service to and from the mall. Prices are reasonable and most have amenities such as heated pools, spas and suites.

When is the best time to visit? For shopping, entertainment or sightseeing, planning a date to fit your travel budget or itinerary is the perfect time.

For more information is available at their web site at www.mallofamerica.com.

Photos for Mall of America courtesy of Media Dept Mall of America