Minnesota

What to Explore at Minnesota's Largest Mall

Published

12 months ago

April 16, 2025

What to Explore at Minnesota's Largest Mall

Mall of America is a Minnesota icon. Home to more than 520 stores, 50 restaurants, a theme park and an aquarium, it continues to add trendy shops, exciting entertainment options, restaurants and major events that bring 32 million visits through its doors each year. Jake Juliot from Explore Minnesota joined me on WJON to highlight what to do at MOA.

THINGS TO DO

Find fun and excitement at The Fair on 4, where your family can savor fair-inspired foods like cheese curds & house-cut fries, compete in axe throwing (with a parent or guardian), drive a go-cart and more.

Spanning more than 24,000 square feet, M&M’S Mall of America features Minnesotathemed products and a free, interactive experience including exclusive merch and experiences like “Peanut Peak” — a rooftop celebration of majestic landscapes in Minnesota. Not to mention a personalization station, “Wall of Chocolate”, and photo ops with iconic M&Ms characters.

For even more fun with friends, work together to solve clues and escape from one of the immersive experiences inside The Escape Game. Challenges have included breaking out of a jail cell, fixing your Mars rover to get back to Earth, and rescuing a stolen painting from an art gallery.

MOA’s popular indoor theme park, Nickelodeon Universe, is home to 27 attractions and counting including the longest indoor zip line in the country, and a nightly light show. Attractions feature your favorite Nickelodeon characters from Spongebob SquarePants, Blues Clues and Paw Patrol.

At the Museum of Illusions, step inside mind-bending exhibits that shock your senses and puzzle your perceptions. Nothing is as it seems inside this interactive exhibit for the entire family.

Adjacent to Nickelodeon Universe, FlyOver America simulates soaring over national landmarks and destinations. The seats move and swing gently, creating a sense of flying. The immersive experience features wind, mist and scents to enhance the images on the screen. Next to FlyOver, the 5D Extreme Attraction gives riders the choice between a wild ride through a mystery mine or a trip underwater with prehistoric beasts.

At SEA LIFE Minnesota Aquarium, the state’s largest aquarium features a 300-foot long underwater tunnel with four areas where guests can see sharks, rescued sea turtles, and more.

If your kids are into collecting and/or playing with toy cars, the country’s fourth Ridemakerz location opened last holiday season and offers custom mini vehicles as souped-up with premium rims and tires as anything you’d find in The Fast and the Furious series.

For fans of LEGO, the iconic store outside Nickelodeon Universe offers a pick-a-brick wall with 180 different LEGO elements, endless kits available for purchase, play tables to inspire creativity and eight larger-than-life models, including a robot that stands over 34 feet tall.

Another family favorite, Crayola Experience offers kids 25 hands-on activities like naming and wrapping their own crayons, as well as a massive retail store. Spanning nearly 10,000 square feet, the CoComelon Playdate attraction features 10,000 sq.ft of active play areas, including a two-story play structure, imaginative play buildings and open play zones. Iconic locations from “CoComelon” come to life, including JJ’s Treehouse, the Fire Station, MacDonald’s Farm, and much more in a safe and enclosed space.

WHERE TO STAY

Mall of America has two on-site hotels, the JW Marriott and Radisson Blu. Both hotels feature full-service restaurants and bars, fitness centers, pools and meeting space, as well as direct access to the mall.

Several other hotels in the area offer shuttle service to the mall, including the Great Wolf Lodge with a water park, arcade, bowling alley and interactive games.

Nickelodeon And Mall of America Celebrate Opening Of Nickelodeon Universe

Cory Ryan/Getty Images

WHERE TO SHOP

Name any popular clothing store and Mall of America probably has it. While it boasts some of the country’s biggest chains, it also has several unique, hard-to-find stores. Some of the newest stores to open include Squishable, Draper James, and more.

From outdoor gear at Karl’s Fishing & Outdoors or L.L. Bean to trendy fashion at Aritzia, Zara, and more, you’re going to find something for everyone.

The Mall of America also spotlights many local merchants throughout its sprawling, 5.6 million square foot space. The past few years has seen a new Love From Minnesota shop (a.k.a. The Neighborhood); Games by James, an iconic shop selling board games, card games, and puzzles; and Indulge & Bloom, which specializes in gorgeous fresh flowers, home décor, and gifts.

WHERE TO EAT

Taste your way around the world with spots like Kura Sushi, a revolving sushi bar with Japanese roots, fresh lobster rolls from Maine at Mason’s Famous Lobster Rolls, frozen treats from Mexico at La Michoacana, and delicious ramen at Ichiddo Ramen.

Find your favorite pop-culture inspired spots like Carlo’s Bakery from TLC’s Cake Boss, Margaritaville, Wahlburgers, and Bubba Gump Shrimp Company. For something sweet, visit Nothing Bundt Cakes, Beard Papas for custom cream puffs, freshly fried donuts at Duck Donuts, unique cookies at Baking Betty’s or Belgian waffles at Wafels and Dinges. For a taste of nostalgia, visit the 90’s icon Rainforest Café.

Culinary on North, an upscale food court on level three, features a dozen fast-casual restaurants with food served on actual plates with silverware. Diners can dig into Italianstyle street food at Piada, burgers and milkshakes at Shake Shack, and a taco concept from the Hot Indian crew at Bussin’ Birria.

Other new eateries include Juicebox that specializes in locally made fruit drinks, Rocket Fizz offering over 500 varieties of glass bottled soda and vintage candy, and Chocolate Moonshine offering gourmet chocolates, caramels, and sipping chocolates.

TRAVEL TIPS

MOA’s transit center makes it easier than ever to get to the mall or MSP Airport via light rail, bus or bike. Valet parking, formerly available at Nordstrom and the Radisson Blu, now includes the option for shoppers to drop their car off on one side of the building and pick it up on another. Park Assist shows shoppers where there are open parking spots.

Once inside, the mall offers free Wi-Fi throughout the building, a mobile app and interactive digital directories in 10 languages.

Families with kids on the autism spectrum can rest assured they’ll be well taken care of thanks to the mall’s new designation as a Certified Autism Center, with sensory guides available for each ride at Nickelodeon Universe.

The park also offers a designated quiet space for guests with sensory issues. The space provides a safe and calming environment and is located behind Guest Services, near the exit of Pepsi® Orange Streak. The room features dimmable lights, soft seating, air conditioning, soundproof walls and more.

Having recently hit a major, 30-year milestone, the Mall of America also has a lot of history to share. Gain insider access to hidden mall highlights during a 90-minute VIP tour and covers “amazing stories, fascinating facts and unbelievable anecdotes at every turn.”

For repeat guests, join the MOA Insiders program to earn points every time you shop, play, and dine at Mall of America. Points may be redeemed for rewards like admission to top attractions, special discounts, and more.

If you’d like to listen to my conversation with Jake Juliot, it is available below.

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Minnesota

‘No Kings’ Minnesota rally starred whistles, butterflies, Springsteen

Published

12 hours ago

March 28, 2026

Press Room

‘No Kings’ Minnesota rally starred whistles, butterflies, Springsteen

Being the center of attention isn’t a Minnesota specialty.

But Minnesotans clearly embraced having the nation’s attention at the “No Kings” rally on Saturday as thousands of them stood unified in opposition to President Donald Trump.

Those in attendance appeared so unified that, when asked to take a moment of silence, it really was quiet. Crowd size was difficult to estimate but ranged from 100,000-200,000, depending on the source.

They came bearing images that have become icons of the resistance to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), like whistles used to call for help and monarch butterflies that embody the right to migrate across borders.

In many ways, the spring rally acted as a communal catharsis following Operation Metro Surge – and a stark reminder for the discontented crowd that the federal government’s immigration enforcement agenda hasn’t changed.

Here are some of the images we captured and the people we spoke to.

Ellen Schmidt/MinnPost/CatchLight Local/Report for America

Amy Speare and Emmanuel Speare, along with their three children, pose for a portrait before marching from St. Paul College Saturday. “This is me putting my foot down,” said Mr. Speare.

Mrs. Speare shared a story about their 5-year-old daughter who asked if her mother was alive “when the brown skin people weren’t able to go to the grocery store.”

“We talked about how that was a horrible thing, and how people marched and changed the rules, and changed the laws, and made it so that doesn’t happen,” Mrs. Speare said. “And then she asked, ‘Will they change the laws back?’”

That’s why she said the family protested that day: “to make sure that they don’t change the laws back.”

As with the city of Minneapolis, it was impossible to miss the faces Renee Good and Alex Pretti during Saturday’s march. Federal agents fatally shot both Good and Pretti while they observed immigration enforcement actions in January.

Photos from the October “No Kings” protest in Minneapolis

Organizers chose Minnesota for their flagship march nationally largely because of the state’s response to immigration enforcement. Over 3,000 “No Kings” protests took place across the country on Saturday.

Mark Sackett and his dog, Penny, pose for a portrait while sitting outside the Minnesota State Capitol. “I’m just so proud of Minnesota,” he said, saying typically, the state would “never want to be on the national stage for something like this.”

Despite its relatively recent release after the killings of Good and Pretti, many in the crowd on Saturday appeared to already know the words to “Streets of Minneapolis” when Bruce Springsteen preformed it.

Springsteen warmly greeted Gov. Tim Walz and his wife, Gwen, as he got on stage.

Madeline, of St. Paul, wears a dinosaur costume while protesting during the “No Kings” march on Saturday. The 10-year-old joined her mother and aunt with tens of thousands of protesters.

Others on the long and high-profile list of attendees included Joan Baez, Jane Fonda and Maggie Rogers. U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez also appeared, along with Attorney General Keith Ellison and St. Paul Mayor Kaohly Her.

Cousins Craig Pierce, left, and Kari Pearson stand for a portrait at the protest. “We just really share the same values, and beliefs and worldview that it’s really important to show up,” Pearson said, adding that their presence wasn’t optional. Chase said the two joined in solidarity with everyone else representing Minnesota at the gathering. “This is the responsibility of citizens,” he said.

A child, holding a “No Kings” sign and an American flag, joins protesters to watch the action while elevated in a tree. People perched on steps, children on parents’ shoulders and stood on highway overpasses to get a glimpse of the program happening on the steps of the Capitol.

Ryan, left, his daughter Olivia, center, and wife Karen, who declined to give their last names, pose for a portrait while protesting. “We just wanted to stand up for democracy,” Ryan said. “I feel that a lot of our rights are being taken away from us.”

Marchers were seen wearing frog costumes, as has become customary at protests denouncing the Trump administration’s actions. Full-body narwhal, bananas and more were spotted in the crowd. Many children joined their families.

Stephanie Rathsack, 34, of Faribault, waved to passing cars while holding the Minnesota state flag. Rathsack, who said she traveled to the Twin Cities to join the fight against fascism, has been joining protests since early 2025. “I’m just really proud of our state, and we’ve been through so so much, and I could not be prouder of all the people that are here and all the people that just make up our beautiful place where we live,” she said. “We are still here, we are still strong and we are going to keep fighting no matter what they throw at us.”

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Minnesota

No. 6 Minnesota-Duluth 3, No. 10 Penn State 1: Goalied

Published

1 day ago

March 28, 2026

Press Room

No. 6 Minnesota-Duluth 3, No. 10 Penn State 1: Goalied

After a heroic goaltending performance lifted Penn State to the Frozen Four last year, the Nittany Lions were on the receiving end of a strong goaltending night in Friday’s 3-1 NCAA Tournament loss to Minnesota-Duluth. Adam Gajan made 29 saves, many of them high-danger, to lift the Bulldogs past Penn State. Shea Van Olm scored Penn State’s only goal of the night in the first period. Josh Fleming made 36 saves in defeat for the Nittany Lions.

First Period

Penn State’s attack was relentless in the first period. Midway through the period, Casey Aman made a perfect cross-ice pass to Shea Van Olm. The freshman laced a beautiful shot past Adam Gajan to put Penn State on top 1-0:

Max Plante tied the game for Minnesota-Duluth late in the first period when his brother Zam found him open near the front of the net. Max fired it through Josh Fleming’s five hole to even the game at 1.

Second Period

Minnesota-Duluth took control of the flow of the game in the second period and rolled up 11 of the first 12 shots in the frame. Josh Fleming made several high-danger chances to keep Penn State afloat with the offense drying up. A too many men on the ice penalty against Penn State gave the Bulldogs their only power play of the night, but Penn State killed it off to keep the game level at 1 after two periods.

Charlie Cerrato exited the game with an injury late in the second period. He came back onto the ice briefly following the injury but did not finish the game.

Third Period

Penn State got a power play of their own when Max Plante hooked Aiden Fink as he was setting up for a prime scoring chance. Matt DiMarsico had a wide open chance at the left faceoff circle but Gajan got across just in time to make the save. Minnesota-Duluth killed off the penalty and seized momentum back.

A bad breakout led to a defensive zone turnover by Gavin McKenna as he misplayed the puck. Minnesota-Duluth’s Grayden Siepmann quickly found Hunter Anderson off the turnover, and Anderson beat Josh Fleming glove side high to give the Bulldogs their first lead of the night.

Penn State struggled to gain possession in the offensive zone while trying to tie the game in the dying minutes. The Nittany Lions got a couple of decent looks, but Ty Hanson iced the game with an empty-net goal in the closing seconds to end Penn State’s season.

Scoring Summary

	1	2	3	Final Advertisement
Penn State	1	0	0	1 Advertisement
Minnesota-Duluth	1	0	2	3 Advertisement

First Period

PSU: Shea Van Olm (9)- Casey Aman (5), Mac Gadowsky (17)- 5v5- 8:37
UMD: Max Plante (25)- Zam Plante (28), Ty Hanson (26)- 5v5- 15:01

Third Period

UMD: Hunter Anderson (7)- Grayden Siepmann (13)- 5v5- 14:47
UMD: Ty Hanson (9)- Max Plante (26)- EN- 19:59

Shots By Period

Takeaways

Thank You, Seniors- Jarod Crespo, Ben Schoen, and Carter Schade played their final game for Penn State tonight. They left it all on the ice tonight.
Goaltending- Adam Gajan stole this game for Minnesota-Duluth, but Josh Fleming played one of his best games of the season as well. It was hard to fault Fleming for either of the two goals scored against him. The future is bright for Fleming at Penn State.
Nightmares- Penn State’s season-long struggles with defense and puck handling came back to haunt them in the third period on Minnesota-Duluth’s game-winning goal. The injury cloud also hung over the team yet again with Charlie Cerrato exiting the game.
Expectations- After last year’s Frozen Four, the hype for this program launched into outer space, and rightfully so. They were unable to repeat last season’s success, but that’s hockey. They’ll be back before long.
Atmosphere- I was watching this game on TV at a friend’s house, and it seemed like the atmosphere at the arena was dead. The Roar Zone had a strong contingent, but there were lots of empty seats and it felt like a run-of-the-mill regular season game and not a postseason game. The NCAA may want to revisit moving the tournament to campus sites.

What’s Next

Penn State’s season is over, but the offseason will certainly be busy. Roster changes are on the horizon with players graduating out or signing professional contracts, and the transfer portal window opens on April 13. The Nittany Lions have another solid recruiting class coming in and should retain several key pieces on the current roster. Stay tuned to BSD for updates as we head into the offseason. It will be a long six months without Penn State hockey before the 2026-27 season begins, but it will be here before we know it.

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Minnesota

Walz doubts Vance, anti-fraud task force interested in helping Minnesota fight fraud

Published

2 days ago

March 27, 2026

Press Room

Walz doubts Vance, anti-fraud task force interested in helping Minnesota fight fraud

Vice President JD Vance chaired the first meeting of an anti-fraud task force aimed at cracking down on fraud in government programs nationwide. Some of the fraud, he says, dates back 30 to 40 years.

However, in his opening remarks, he highlighted fraud in the Minnesota state government in recent years.

“Now what we’ve seen is Somali fraudsters at an industrial scale taking advantage of that program to the tune of millions and millions of dollars,” he said, talking specifically about fraud in autism programs.

House Fraud Committee takes aim at autism programs

In an interview recorded for “At Issue with Tom Hauser” on Friday afternoon, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz says he’d welcome help in fighting fraud but doubts how interested the Trump administration is in helping the state.

“All fraud is too much,” Walz said. “One dollar is too much. I don’t really believe the vice president is interested in helping with this. If he was, he’d get us more U.S. attorneys. If he was, he’d have more FBI agents out here focused on this rather than harassing people in the streets. But what I would tell Minnesotans on this is they know it’s unacceptable. We’re on the path to having the most secure programs in the country. I take full responsibility for making sure that’s fixed.”

Walz acknowledges the involvement of some in the Somali community in several fraud cases in Minnesota, but says the fight against fraud shouldn’t be based on race or ethnicity.

Walz says ‘organized crime’ to blame for extensive fraud in Minnesota

“Going on there and talking about the Somali community, there are plenty of white men committing fraud too, and I don’t hear him talking about that. What I would tell you as a Minnesotan, I don’t care what your ethnicity is, your religion, the color of your skin, if you’re committing fraud, you’re going to prison. That’s my job to make sure it happens.”

You can see the entire interview with Gov. Walz on Sunday morning at 10 a.m. on “At Issue.”

You’ll hear his response to a wide range of issues, ranging from his budget proposal to license tab fees to whether he plans to get involved in helping other Democrats in the midterm elections.

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