Did you know the Mall of America is the top tourist attraction in the Midwest and it draws a whopping 40 million visitors a year, many of whom come from far and wide? In fact, surprisingly, there are some international visitors who fly in and out of Minneapolis/St. Paul just to go to the Mall without seeing any other part of the United States.
What you also might not know is, in addition to the activities and attractions at the Mall itself, the surrounding area also offers its own dose of kid-friendly fun. Here is a run-down of wallet-friendly options your family can enjoy, courtesy of Hyatt Regency Bloomington-Minneapolis.
In addition to restaurant and shops, family fun in downtown Minneapolis includes a line-up of sports venues, including the Target Center, where you can also see shows and concerts; Target Field for baseball and summer concerts; U.S. Bank Stadium for football and musical events; and TCF Bank Stadium for college sports.
© Yanmingzhang | Dreamstime.com
Of course, the main attraction is the MOA, opened in 1992 and whose blockbuster features include Sea Life Aquarium, where you can see more than 10,000 marine animals, including sharks, sting rays and even seahorses, and the seven-acre Nickelodeon Universe, complete with 27 rides. The MOA also houses several other theme parks; about 50 restaurants; and enough stores — 520 at last count — to make inroads into visitors’ wallets.
When all this becomes too much, the 303-room Hyatt offers a few more low-key, low-cost options of its own.
The hotel features an indoor heated pool located adjacent to its 845-square foot gym, for example, along with plenty of outdoor, run-around space for kids.
Families can also take advantage of a free shuttle to and from the Minneapolis/St. Paul Airport and its location next to the MOA, also accessible via complimentary shuttle from the hotel. There is even a METRO blue line directly to downtown Minneapolis.
For dining, take the kids to Urbana Craeft Kitchen & Market for locally inspired and sourced menu options — like steak or game — or grab a snack or deli fare at the on-site market.
The property is offering a Time to Play, Shop and Stay package, good through the end of May, that bundles in two all-day passes for Nickelodeon Park at MOA, free parking, complimentary shuttle transportation to and from MOA and a welcome Hyatt Kite gift for kids. The package also includes queen/queen guestroom accommodations, all from $179 per night.
Read This Next
#WhereverFamily
Insta FeedDestinations / North America
Jul 9, 20265 Places to Have a European-Style Vacation Without Leaving the Country
Flying isn’t cheap, especially for a whole family. Luckily, if you want a European vacation but it just isn’t in the budget, you can get creative with your destination and have a European-style vacation without ever leaving the country.
Sponsored Content
Best of Both Worlds
Enjoy the best of both worlds when you fly with TAP Air Portugal thanks to the Portugal Stopover program. With the program, TAP passengers, whether traveling for business, leisure or both, can stop in Portugal for up to 10 days at no additional airfare on the way to their final destination. What does this mean for travelers wishing to explore by both land and sea? It means after flying to Portugal with TAP and experiencing the country in an entirely new way, travelers can then embark on scenic river and ocean cruises from Portugal’s port cities, or fly with TAP to another European destination.
Destinations / Latin America
Jul 9, 20268 Savannah, Georgia, Destinations for Family Travel
It’s time to start dreaming of your next family trip. Here’s some destination inspiration for you. Take a visual journey through Savannah, Georgia, with us.
Hotels
Jul 9, 2026Refreshed Renaissance Esmeralda Resort & Spa Elevates Family Getaways
Renaissance Esmeralda Resort & Spa, a 560-room resort in the Greater Palm Springs area, recently completed a comprehensive, multimillion-dollar renovation. With the updates come new resort experiences, a Kids Eat Free package, new pickleball courts, upgraded poolside cabanas, the debut of Seven Olive Modern Gastropub and Topgolf Swing Suites, and more.
Destinations / Europe
Jul 8, 2026A Trip to London: Exploring the South Bank
Courtesy of a night spent at London’s Sea Containers hotel, I had the opportunity to explore the South Bank neighborhood. Let’s dive into some family-friendly highlights:
Destinations / North America
Jul 8, 2026Summer Fun Awaits in New Hampshire’s Lakes
When you’re traveling in New Hampshire, you’re never far from water. Although its Atlantic coastline is short, lakes — including New England’s largest — are scattered throughout the state, so family travelers will have plenty of opportunities for swimming and water sports.
ShareThis