A Short History of Mall of America
Metropolitan Stadium, until 1985
Before the mall, the site held Metropolitan Stadium, home of the Minnesota Twins and Vikings. It was demolished in 1985. On 3 June 1967 Harmon Killebrew hit a 520-foot home run there. A single red stadium seat high on a wall inside the park marks where the ball landed, and a home-plate plaque is set into the park floor.
1992: the mall and Camp Snoopy
Triple Five Group, the company of the Ghermezian family, built the mall. It opened on 11 August 1992 with a theme park under the central skylights called Knott’s Camp Snoopy. The Log Chute log flume dates from that opening year and still runs.
From Camp Snoopy to Nickelodeon Universe
When the Peanuts licence ended, the park became The Park at MOA on 19 January 2006. The same year Triple Five became sole owner of the mall. The park relaunched as Nickelodeon Universe on 15 March 2008. Dutchman’s Deck Adventure Course followed in 2010, and FlyOver America, a flying theatre, in 2016. The park page covers the rides today.
UnderWater World becomes SEA LIFE
The aquarium opened in 1996 as UnderWater World after 18 months of construction. Merlin Entertainments took it over in 2008 and renamed it SEA LIFE in March 2011. Its 300-foot tunnel runs under the east wing. The aquarium page has the visit.
The Chapel of Love, 1994 to 2022
A wedding chapel, the Chapel of Love, opened in April 1994 and hosted more than 8,000 weddings. It closed on 28 August 2022.
Rules and rails: 1996, 2019 and 2020
The Parental Escort Policy began in 1996, on Friday and Saturday evenings only, and has applied daily since 2020. In 2019 the light-rail station in the East ramp was rebuilt, with a tunnel under the ring road into the mall. The escort policy page gives the current rule.
Recent openings and the water-park plan
Crayola Experience opened in 2016 on Level 3. Museum of Illusions opened on 5 May 2023 on Level 2. Bloomington approved Mystery Cove, an indoor water park next to the mall, in December 2025. Construction is targeted to start in 2026 and opening is targeted for 2029.
The Chapel of Love has closed. The stadium plaque and the red seat, both inside Nickelodeon Universe, are the history that can still be visited, free.
Frequently asked questions
What was at Mall of America before the mall?
Metropolitan Stadium, home of the Minnesota Twins and Vikings, demolished in 1985.
When did Camp Snoopy become Nickelodeon Universe?
Camp Snoopy became The Park at MOA on 19 January 2006 and Nickelodeon Universe on 15 March 2008.
Is the Chapel of Love still open?
No. It closed on 28 August 2022 after more than 8,000 weddings. The things-to-do page covers what is open now.
Were any movies filmed at Mall of America?
Yes, including D2: The Mighty Ducks and Jingle All the Way. See films shot at the mall.