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MOA Travel Reviews by the Locals

What Minnesota Natives Really Think of the Mall of America

© Naomi Rockler-Gladen

Jul 14, 2007
The Mall of America, MOA
Some Minnesotans love the Mall of America, and others hate it. And some people won't admit how much they love it. Here's what Minnesotans have to say about the MOA.

Tourists from all over the world flock to the Mall of America, the 4.2 million square foot shopping center with over 500 stores, an amusement park, an aquarium, and all kinds of unique attractions.. But what do local Minnesotans think of this massive tourist attraction, which they commonly call the Megamall and the MOA? When it comes to opinions of the Mall of America, the locals fall into five categories.

  1. The Mall Lover. Mall Lovers unabashedly adore the Megamall. They spend hours hanging out at the Park at MOA, pouring over the shoe selection at Nordstrom's, and chowing away on cheese curds in the food court. Mall Lovers feel a sense of Minnesota patriotism and feel a little sorry for people in those other states who don't live near such a fabulous haven of entertainment.
  2. The Mall Hater. Mall Haters are embarrassed that this monstrosity is located in the Twin Cities. As far as they're concerned, the MOA is too loud, too big, too expensive, too materialistic, and just plain gauche in a metro area with lots of sophisticated cultural attractions. They brag that they never set foot in the place.
  3. The Guilty Pleasure Mall Lover. Guilty Pleasure Mall Lovers have the sense that they shouldn't enjoy this mecca of capitalism, but they secretly love it. Only with a sense of guilt are they able to appreciate the delight of a log flume in the middle of a mall or the joy of the simulated rainstorms at the Rainforest Cafe. They may claim they like the mall because "it's so bad it's good' or because it's a "trainwreck" that they can't avert their eyes from. None of this is true. They love the mall and can't get enough.
  4. The Convenience Lover. Convenience Lovers neither love nor hate the mall, but appreciate the how handy it is to have a gigantic mall at the center of a metro area. Baffled at the mall's tourist appeal, they view the mall as a convenient place to find holiday presents or buy a pair of shoes. They appreciate the plentiful parking, the easy access to several major freeways, and the transit center with access to buses and the new light rail line. They're also glad to have a wide array of indoor activities available in a place as cold as the Twin Cities.
  5. The Appreciative Parent. Similar to Convenience Lovers, Appreciative Parents love the mall because it's so useful. They may balk at the prices of the amusement park and the aquarium, but are delighted that there's such a kid friendly paradise for the little ones on a snowy day. They shop at the Children's Place and Gymboree and dine at the kid-friendly restaurants.

Want to hear what some everyday Minnesotans have to say about the Mall of America?

I think the Mall of America is a wonderful, family oriented place where people of all ages and from all places can have a great time. -- Brooke, 17, Brooklyn Park, MN

The Mall of America is a disgusting shrine to spiritually bankrupt capitalism. A symbol of American consumer gluttony. I can't stand to be near the place. -- Michael, 37, Minneapolis, MN

It feels like entering a temple to the materialism and Jones-following that is prevalent in the suburbs. I've enjoyed finding strange things at specialty shops, and the fact that they have a lot of trees inside. Other odd things I've enjoyed is simply the feel of that many people moving around in an enclosed space-- much like a modern Renaissance fair or marketplace that lets you interact with fellow customers in a nonverbal sort of way. --Jamin, 31, Brooklyn Park, MN

MOA has something for everyone and at frequently reasonable prices. The kids would like to take up residence in the park. The mix of shops are comprised of the usual suspects, along with an eclectic mix of local and ethnic shops and kiosks. -- Julie, 48, Eden Prairie, MN

The Mall of America is just a big shopping mall. Odd that it's such a tourist attraction. I like to people watch, walk around with my daughter, and take my daughter on the rides. --Bill, 36, St. Paul, MN

The Mall of America is a nice tourist attraction that keeps Bloomington thriving. It's also a nice place to shop and catch autograph sessions and events that you won't find in other places. Specialty shops that would not survive anywhere else can be found there. --Christine, 38, Eagan, MN

See also: Mall of America hotels and packages


The copyright of the article MOA Travel Reviews by the Locals in Minnesota Travel is owned by Naomi Rockler-Gladen. Permission to republish MOA Travel Reviews by the Locals in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.


The Park at MOA, William Wesen, pub. domain, Wiki Commons
The Mall of America, MOA
      


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