12 Ways to Help Anyone Have a Great Time at the Mall of America
The fact is that most people don’t have the knowledge they need to have the best possible experience at the Mall of America; and there’s been no place to get that info…until now 
Hopefully after reading the following tips you can increase your chances for a successful trip to the MOA.Read the rest of this entry…
1. I don’t care who you are or where you live you MUST do some planning before your trip to the Mall of America. It’s just like when you check the weather before you go golfing or on a picnic.
It’s easy to do. Go to the Mall of America’s website and see if there are any events on the day you want to go. You can check the MOA’s calendar. If you go often you can even subscribe to the MOA’s e-newsletter concerning upcoming events. You might enjoy an event at the mall, but you also may want to avoid that day because of the crowds.
2. The day of the week and the time of day that you go is important to consider.
Now there are many people (and when I say people I mean mostly teenagers) who don’t mind it when they have to stand in line at the fitting rooms, to pay for things, to get something to eat at the food court, or at the elevator with your wheelchair or stroller. I’m going to guess that the average person, however, is not really excited about any of that.
I do agree that the crowds can add an air of excitement, but I think that applies more to tourists, the first timer, or maybe teenagers as opposed to the local shopper.
Just know that weekends are generally very crowded. I realize some people are only able to go on the weekends, and for you I offer best wishes 
ha ha. No, Seriously, if you have to go on the weekends you really need to go early and get in a positive mindset. It’s like the mindset you get into before you go to the State Fair. You know it’s going to be crowded, but the benefits far outweigh any negatives.
3. If you are a woman and you want your husband/boyfriend to go with you do a little research about what your husband/boyfriend might have fun doing at the MOA. There’s a lot more things for a “man’s man” to do at the mall besides hold your purse and sit in the “man chair” while you try on clothes.
My husband likes Sears, and when I say Sears I mean everything first floor sears – tools, TV’s, appliances, etc. There’s also the F.Y.E. store (formerly Sam Goody) for all their music needs. There’s Pro Image which stocks the largest supply and variety of professional and collegiate licensed sports products at the MOA. There are many other sports stores as well.
Here are some other ideas:
Ladies, just remember to include things in your mall trip that will interest your husband/boyfriend and he’ll be more interested in going with you the next time.
4. You CAN eat good food at the MOA. You’re not just stuck with “mall food”.
The absolute best place to eat at the MOA is Twin City Grill. Yes, they can be pricey,but it is worth it. If you want to save your money for shopping you can order a sandwich, burger, soup and/or a salad and you will have spent no more than you would have anywhere else, and you will have had a relaxing meal. If you’re looking to keep the price down don’t order the fancy lemonades or any cocktails. Cocktails cut down on your shopping stamina anyway
If you don’t want to go to a sit-down restaurant there are still some “real food” kind of places to eat at the MOA – Baja Sol Tortilla Grill is healthy and delicious. If it’s burgers and malts you want Johnny Rockets is awesome! Chipotle is now located across from the food court on the 3rd fl. South, and Noodles and Co. will be open on May 22nd.
Point is: The MOA has more to offer than the usual “mall food”. Also, there are no rules against packing a PB&J and eating it in the food court with your juice box
* Also, even if you are accustom to skipping meals, a long shopping day is not the time to do this. Eating helps you manage stress and keeps you strong.
5. Use the escalators! I realize shopping is tiring and pushing a button for an elevator seems the easiest way to travel from floor to floor….but especially during busy times the elevators should be reserved (in my opinion) for people with disabilities and people with strollers. My reasoning is that if more people rode the escalators the elevators wouldn’t be so crowded and the wait would not be so long. Also, I can guarantee you that the time it takes to walk to an escalator is much shorter than waiting for an elevator on a busy day.
6. If you have a child under age seven consider getting a stroller! You might be thinking I’m crazy right about now because 1. you don’t want to spend the money, and 2. you think your child should be able to walk at their age. You may or may not be right, but I’m asking you not to rule it out. A stroller can be the difference between an enjoyable day at the mall or a day (at some point) of a crying, whining child who is miserable and in return makes you miserable. The stroller rental is well worth the money. You should rent the stroller as soon as you get there because you pay by the day so the cost is the same regardless and then you have somewhere to put your purse, your bags, etc. A stroller could give you an extra 2 hours at the mall before the kids start losin’ it
Also, if you have kids with you remember that kids need breaks so do something they want to do in between every 3 or 4 stores you go to for yourself. Also, let them know that they will get a reward of more time at Lego Land or an ice cream cone at the end of the day if they do a good job throughout the day.
7. DO NOT CARRY YOUR BAGS!!! and NO I am not suggesting you drag your husband/boyfriend along just so you don’t have to carry your own bags
Rent a stroller or a shopping cart and push your purses and bags instead of carrying them. You can add at least a couple hours to your shopping day if you do this, and it can be the difference between a “fun day” and an “exhausting day”. It is well worth the six dollars. Just try it and tell me if it didn’t change your entire experience.
*I don’t recommend using the lockers at the mall for several reasons: 1. they are expensive, 2. how often will you have to put your bags into a locker and then go back and find the locker before going home? 3. Since they are electronic now I have had them get stuck closed and have had to wait for someone to come get them open for me. 4. The lockers take credit/check cards and I have been charged randomly weeks after being at the mall (after having paid the initial time).
8. Don’t fret about parking. Parking can be a real pain on busy days at the MOA, but if you don’t spend all day trying to find the closest spot you can park and be in the mall in no time. I generally head straight to the 4th or 5th level of the parking ramp and park when I see a spot. I find it less stressful than going round and round trying to find the “perfect” spot.
If you are planning on only going to a couple stores look at the Mall of America’s website before leaving home and park near where you’ll be shopping. If you click on a store/restaurant in the Mall Directory it will tell you where to park to be nearest to that store.
9. Consider going to see a movie at the MOA. If you are planning a long day at the MOA you might want to consider going to a movie to break up all the walking and standing. There are matinee prices and from Sunday to Thursday even the evening prices are just $5!
10.WEAR GOOD SHOES!!!! I have seen many a woman wearing heels while shopping at the MOA. I agree that they look good in heels, but unless you are spending no more than an hour at the mall or are only going to dinner and a movie, you must sacrifice and take off the heels. If you want to have the best experience possible you must sacrifice and take off the heels.
11. Take note of Restroom locations! It is best to locate the restrooms on the map before your shopping experience. I highly recommend the “family restrooms” for families and people with disabilities. There are changing tables for children, and ample space and privacy for people with disabilities. Nordstrom, Macy’s and Bloomingdale’s have the best restrooms for nursing mothers since they have an attached lounge with couches.
12. Planning! Planning! Planning!
If you haven’t gotten it yet – You need to do some planning before leaving to go to the MOA I know it sounds like a lot of work just to go to the mall, but it’s not as bad as it sounds and it’s worth the effort.
When you get to the mall stop at Guest Services (located at all 4 main entrances, on the 1st floor). Pick up a Map & Directory pamphlet, a Nickelodeon Universe guide and a Child ID card you can fill out and give to your child (just in case you get separated).
