One Day at Mall of America
Before 10 am: the walk
The doors open three hours before the shops. A lap of one level is about 1.2 miles, and the shops stay shuttered until 10 am. Early arrivals by train come up from the East ramp through the tunnel under the ring road.
10 am: SEA LIFE on Level 1
SEA LIFE Minnesota is on Level 1 on the east side, the nearest attraction to the station. The visit takes about an hour: the 300-foot tunnel, Shark Cove, the Ray Lagoon and the rainforest section. On Sunday the shops and SEA LIFE open at 11 am and the shops close at 7 pm, so a Sunday plan starts an hour later. The aquarium page has the detail.
The middle of the day: the park or Crayola
Here the day splits. The ride wristband runs until the park closes, and travellers describe staying for ten hours. Crayola Experience takes three to four hours and closes at 6 pm Monday to Thursday. Its ticket is valid on one day within 14 days of the chosen date, so it can move to a second day. The park page covers the rides.
The family version
- 10:00 am: SEA LIFE, about an hour.
- 11:15 am: Nickelodeon Universe on the wristband, junior rides first.
- 1:00 pm: lunch at the park’s food stands.
- 3:00 pm: the escort rule starts; under-16s stay with an adult aged 21 or over.
- 5:00 pm: Moose Mountain Adventure Golf on Level 3 north, about an hour.
- Evening: back to the park until close, or the shops.
The adult version
- 10:00 am: SEA LIFE, or the Museum of Illusions on Level 2 north.
- Late morning: a 60-minute game at The Escape Game, Level 3 east.
- Afternoon: thrill rides on a points card or the wristband.
- Early evening: Rock of Ages Blacklight Mini Golf, also on the east side of Level 3.
- Evening: the shops until 9 pm.
The Museum of Illusions ticket is non-refundable, and its hours are not stated on the listing. The other five attractions on this page have free cancellation up to 24 hours before. The family attractions page compares them.
Where 3 pm changes the plan
From 3:00 pm to closing, under-16s need an adult aged 21 or over, inside the attractions as well as the corridors. Teen groups without an adult plan their rides and games for the morning.
Rock of Ages (336 East Broadway) and The Escape Game (300 East Broadway) are both on Level 3 east, so the two fit back to back without a long walk.
Frequently asked questions
Can you do Mall of America in one day?
Yes, with one long attraction and two short ones. The timing page lists how long each attraction takes.
Can the park and Crayola Experience both fit into one day?
Rarely. Each takes three hours or more, and Crayola closes at 6 pm Monday to Thursday. The Crayola ticket is valid within 14 days of the chosen date, so it can go on a second day.
What is a good Mall of America itinerary for a family?
SEA LIFE at opening, the park through the middle of the day and a golf round later. The attraction-by-age page sorts the seven by age.
What changes at 3 pm?
The Parental Escort Policy starts: anyone under 16 must be with an adult aged 21 or over until closing.