Bloomington, Minnesota Travel Guide
City City in Minnesota, home to Mall of America
Beyond the interstate strip, Bloomington draws crowds to the Mall of America with its indoor theme park and shops, while families use the city for easy access to the Twin Cities, Minnesota Zoo and airport connections.
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Why Visit Bloomington, Minnesota? #
Mostly known as home to the Mall of America, this Twin Cities suburb is a major draw for shoppers and family travelers seeking big indoor attractions. Nickelodeon Universe and SEA LIFE Aquarium inside the mall offer year-round entertainment, while the nearby Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge provides unexpected wetlands and trails. Combine high-energy retail and amusements with accessible outdoor recreation for a varied short-stay experience.
Who's Bloomington, Minnesota For?
Bloomington’s Mall of America is a family magnet - Nickelodeon Universe, SEA LIFE and dozens of kid-focused attractions keep children busy for days. Family hotels and restaurants cluster around the mall for easy logistics.
With MSP airport nearby and a large hotel corridor around the Mall of America, Bloomington is convenient for business travel and regional meetings. Good airport links and corporate-friendly venues simplify conferences and transfers.
Upscale hotels near the Mall and canal-side dining along downtown Carroll areas offer easy romantic nights. Couples can combine a spa stay with theater or dining near Bloomington’s hotel strip.
The Mall of America and surrounding neighborhoods host a wide range of cuisines, plus a growing craft-brewery scene nearby. Expect international options, casual gastropubs and approachable farm-to-table spots within a short drive.
Top Things to Do in Bloomington, Minnesota
All Attractions ›
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- Mall of America - Huge shopping and entertainment complex with hundreds of stores, restaurants, and attractions.
- SEA LIFE Minnesota Aquarium - Massive aquarium inside Mall of America featuring local and tropical marine life exhibits.
- Nickelodeon Universe - Indoor theme park hosting roller coasters, family rides, and character meet-and-greets.
- Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge (Long Meadow Lake Unit) - Expansive refuge with trails and wetlands, ideal for birdwatching and peaceful walks.
- Hyland Lake Park Reserve - Three Rivers park with mountain-bike trails, cross‑country skiing, and extensive trail network.
- Old Cedar Avenue Bridge (Historic Cedar Avenue Bridge) - Former highway bridge converted to pedestrian span overlooking the Minnesota River gorge.
- Bloomington History Center - Small museum preserving local artifacts, historic homes, and Bloomington community stories.
- Bloomington Center for the Arts - Community theater and gallery presenting plays, concerts, and rotating local exhibitions.
- Normandale Lake Park - Calm lake with looping trails, boardwalk wetlands, and frequent birdlife sightings.
- Minnehaha Falls Park (Minneapolis) - Popular urban park featuring a 53-foot waterfall and paved riverwalk trails.
- Como Park Zoo & Conservatory (Saint Paul) - Free zoo and Victorian conservatory with seasonal gardens and family-friendly exhibits.
- Stillwater (Historic downtown and St. Croix Riverfront) - Charming riverside town with antique shops, riverboat cruises, and scenic St. Croix views.
- Interstate State Park (Taylors Falls) - Unique glacial potholes, rock cliffs, and Saint Croix kayaking opportunities nearby.
- Duluth (Canal Park and Lake Superior waterfront) - Lake Superior waterfront city with Canal Park, lakefront walks, and maritime museums.
Where to Go in Bloomington, Minnesota #
Mall of America
If you know Bloomington, you know the Mall of America: massive, touristy and noisy in the best way. It’s the city’s primary draw for shopping, dining and family entertainment; expect crowds, easy hotel options and one-stop convenience for a full day (or two) of indoor fun.
Top Spots
- Mall of America - the big shopping and entertainment complex with stores and restaurants.
- Nickelodeon Universe - indoor theme park inside the mall, great if you’re traveling with kids.
- SEA LIFE Minnesota Aquarium - aquarium attraction adjacent to the mall.
Old Downtown
Bloomington’s original downtown is low-key and comfortable: small diners, coffee shops and family-run stores. It’s not a bustling nightlife scene, but it’s pleasant for wandering, grabbing a local meal and seeing how residents live outside the big tourist spots.
Top Spots
- Old downtown streets - local bakeries, diners and small independent shops.
- Community parks - green areas where locals walk dogs and have picnics.
- Neighborhood restaurants - casual spots serving Midwestern comfort food.
Minnesota Riverfront & Parks
Stretching along the Minnesota River, this area is Bloomington’s outdoor side: wildlife refuge, multi-use trails and parkland. Locals come here for hiking, birdwatching and winter sports rather than nightlife. Good pick if you want nature close to the city’s amenities.
Top Spots
- Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge (Visitor Center) - trails and wildlife viewing close to the city.
- Hyland Lake Park Reserve - trails, sledding hills and outdoor recreation.
- Riverfront trails - scenic paths along the Minnesota River for walking and biking.
Plan Your Visit to Bloomington, Minnesota #
Best Time to Visit Bloomington, Minnesota #
Best time to visit Bloomington is late spring through early fall (roughly May-September) when days are warm, long, and perfect for outdoor activities. Winters are very cold and snowy - good for winter sports and holiday events if you don't mind subzero temperatures.
Best Time to Visit Bloomington, Minnesota #
Bloomington, Minnesota's climate is classified as Hot-Summer Continental - Hot-Summer Continental climate with warm summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -16°C to 29°C. Moderate rainfall (756 mm/year).
January
January is the coldest month with highs of -6°C and lows of -16°C. Light rainfall and partly cloudy skies.
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February
February is freezing with highs of -2°C and lows of -12°C. The driest month with just 18 mm and partly cloudy skies.
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March
March is cold with highs of 5°C and lows of -5°C. Moderate rainfall (45 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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April
April is cold with highs of 14°C and lows of 2°C. Moderate rainfall (60 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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May
May is cool with highs of 22°C and lows of 9°C. Regular rainfall (86 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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June
June is mild with highs of 27°C and lows of 14°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (108 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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July
July is the warmest month with highs of 29°C and lows of 17°C. Significant rainfall (105 mm).
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August
August is mild with highs of 28°C and lows of 16°C. Significant rainfall (104 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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September
September is cool with highs of 22°C and lows of 10°C. Moderate rainfall (75 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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October
October is cold with highs of 16°C and lows of 4°C. Moderate rainfall (56 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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November
November is cold with highs of 5°C and lows of -4°C. Moderate rainfall (50 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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December
December is freezing with highs of -3°C and lows of -12°C. Light rainfall and mostly overcast skies.
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How to Get to Bloomington, Minnesota
Bloomington is best reached via Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport (MSP), with direct light rail service into the city and to the Mall of America. Amtrak serves the region at St. Paul-Midway; intercity buses call at downtown Minneapolis, and local transit or rideshares handle the last leg into Bloomington.
Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport (MSP): MSP is the main gateway for Bloomington and the Twin Cities. The METRO Blue Line light rail connects MSP Terminal 1 (Terminal 1-Lindbergh Station) and Terminal 2 (Humphrey Station) with Mall of America and downtown Minneapolis - one-way local fare is $2.00; Terminal 1 to Mall of America is about 8-10 minutes and to downtown Minneapolis about 22-30 minutes by rail. Taxis and rideshares from MSP to central Bloomington (Mall of America area) typically run roughly $10-25 depending on traffic; car rental counters are in the terminal if you prefer to drive.
St. Paul Downtown Airport (STP): STP (Saint Paul Downtown Airport) primarily handles general aviation and charters rather than scheduled commercial flights. If you arrive here you’ll usually transfer to MSP or take a taxi/rideshare into Bloomington-expect roughly 15-25 minutes by car to the Mall of America depending on traffic, with fares around $25-45.
Train: Amtrak’s Empire Builder serves the Twin Cities at the St. Paul-Midway station (commonly called Midway). From Midway you can connect to Bloomington by Metro Transit buses (local fare $2.00) or by taxi/rideshare; travel times to the Mall of America are typically in the 20-35 minute range depending on connection and traffic, and a direct rideshare will usually cost approximately $20-40.
Bus: Intercity buses (Greyhound and Jefferson Lines) operate to the Minneapolis-Saint Paul area, with downtown stops and terminals serving the region. From downtown Minneapolis or the bus terminal you can reach Bloomington and Mall of America by the METRO Blue Line light rail ($2.00, ~20-30 minutes from downtown) or by local buses and rideshares (bus fares $2.00, rideshare $10-35 depending on distance and demand).
How to Get Around Bloomington, Minnesota
Bloomington is easiest to navigate with a combination of the METRO Blue Line for airport and downtown connections and rideshare or a rental car for suburban destinations. Use the Blue Line for reliable, inexpensive airport-to-Mall-of-America and downtown travel; for door-to-door convenience or late-night journeys, rideshares and taxis are the practical choice.
- METRO Blue Line (Light Rail) ($2.00) - The Blue Line links MSP Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 with Mall of America and downtown Minneapolis. One-way local fare is $2.00; trains run roughly every 10-15 minutes during the day. This is the fastest, most reliable public-transit option between the airport, Mall of America (in Bloomington) and central Minneapolis.
- Metro Transit buses ($2.00) - Local Metro Transit bus routes cover Bloomington neighborhoods, the Mall of America and connections into Minneapolis and Saint Paul. Single rides are the local fare ($2.00); frequencies vary by route and many suburban routes are less frequent outside peak hours. Check schedules on the Metro Transit website or app before travelling - buses are useful for areas the light rail doesn't reach directly.
- Car rental ($40-100/day) - Renting a car from MSP is a good option if you plan to explore suburbs, state parks or destinations outside the core transit corridors. Daily rental rates vary widely by season and vendor; expect roughly $40-100 USD per day. Parking in Bloomington (including at the Mall of America) is plentiful but often paid for special events or long-term stays.
- Rideshare (Uber/Lyft) & Taxi ($10-35) - Rideshare and taxis provide convenient, door-to-door service across Bloomington and to Minneapolis-St. Paul. Typical short trips within Bloomington or to Mall of America are commonly $10-35; airport pickups have designated zones at MSP (follow signs to rideshare/taxi pickup). They're the quickest option late at night or when public transit connections are sparse.
- Biking & e-scooters ($2-8 per trip) - Biking is practical for short trips around parts of Bloomington (particularly near the Mall of America and the riverfront trails), and e-scooters are often available seasonally. Expect utility for last-mile trips and short errands; helmet use is recommended and bike lanes are increasingly common but patchy in some suburban areas. Check local operators and parking rules before you ride.
- Walking - Walking is pleasant and practical around concentrated areas such as the Mall of America, the Normandale Lake area and some commercial corridors. Distances between major suburban destinations can be long, so walking is best for short, local trips or exploring parks and retail areas on foot.
Where to Stay in Bloomington, Minnesota #
- Comfort Inn & Suites Bloomington - Budget option near MOA.
- Super 8 by Wyndham Bloomington Mall of America - Basic, short walk to Mall of America.
- Hyatt Regency Bloomington - Minneapolis - Modern rooms, near Mall.
- Radisson Blu Mall of America - Connected to the mall, upscale chain.
- The Westin Minneapolis (nearby downtown) - Upscale rooms, spa, dining.
- Loews Minneapolis Hotel - Higher-end downtown option.
- Hyatt Regency Bloomington - Minneapolis - Simple navigation to transit.
- Radisson Blu Mall of America - Direct mall access.
- Hyatt Regency Bloomington - Minneapolis - Family rooms, close to attractions.
- Radisson Blu Mall of America - Connected to Mall; kid-friendly.
- Hyatt Regency Bloomington - Minneapolis - Reliable Wi‑Fi, business center.
- Radisson Blu Mall of America - Good connectivity, quiet rooms.
Where to Eat in Bloomington, Minnesota #
Breakdown of cuisine types found across Bloomington, Minnesota's restaurants and food venues, based on OpenStreetMap data.
