Discover Bloomington: Recreation and History

Bloomington is home to the world-famous Mall of America®. The city combines this well-known entertainment destination with historic buildings and activities for a range of interests. If you’re looking for a hotel in Bloomington, it may help to first consider which experiences matter most for your trip: recreational activities, local history, or a visit with children.

Things to do in Bloomington

Mall of America includes dozens of recreational attractions, including the largest aquarium in the state. Nickelodeon Universe® is the first indoor Nickelodeon theme park in the United States. Spanning seven acres, the park offers rides, entertainment, and dining options. Bloomington therefore offers both a wide range of recreational attractions at Mall of America and a theme park with its own distinct focus. Individual attractions may change; check which offerings interest you before your visit.

Tickets for Nickelodeon Universe can be purchased online, at Nickelodeon Universe ticket booths, at self-service kiosks in the park, or at Mall of America Guest Services desks. Since this is current information about purchasing options, it is advisable to check before your trip.

Historic buildings and local history

Old Town Hall is one of the few surviving examples of Bloomington’s 19th-century architecture. The building houses a history museum with artifacts and exhibits about Bloomington’s past. Old Town Hall thus combines its status as a rare surviving building with a museum focused on the city’s history.

Another historic landmark is the Gideon and Agnes Pond House. It is the main building in Pond-Dakota Mission Park in Bloomington and was built in 1856 as a brick house in the Federal style. Since restoration work was completed in 1995, the City of Bloomington has maintained the house as a museum. Its construction date, architectural style, and preservation as a museum give the Pond House a different historical emphasis from Old Town Hall.

Activities for families and nature enthusiasts

The Works Museum focuses on hands-on engineering for children ages five to twelve and their families. Its offerings include interactive experiences and design challenges. Its clearly defined age range and technical focus may help families choose a place to visit.

At Richardson Nature Center, visitors can get an up-close look at the birds of prey, reptiles, and amphibians that live there. Unlike the technical focus of The Works Museum, the emphasis here is on encountering animals. If you’re choosing between these two interests, they offer different starting points for planning your stay.

Getting to Mall of America

There is a connection to Mall of America from both terminals of Minneapolis–St. Paul International Airport: the Hiawatha Line (Route 55) takes 12 minutes. Check the route and travel time before your trip. This specific travel information complements your choice of places to visit and can be incorporated into your plans for your stay in Bloomington.

For the broader travel overview: Minneapolis.