Overview
Bloomington, Minnesota is a suburb of Minneapolis. It is near the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP) and home to the Mall of America, the United States' largest shopping mall. Bloomington has a population of 89,000 people (as of 2021).
Bloomington was established as a post–World War II housing boom suburb connected to Minneapolis's urban street grid, and is served by four freeways: Interstate 35W, Interstate 494, US 169, and Minnesota 77.
3 sights · 7 things to do · 12 places to eat · 11 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Bloomington
Sea Life Minnesota Aquarium
Visit the world's largest underground aquarium and see over 5,000 marine creatures! From 360 pound sea turtles to young sea horses, you will find everything you were hoping to see in the underwater adventure. Scuba Certi…
The Works Museum
Children's engineering and design museum with hand-on exhibits.
Hyland Hills Ski Area
With 175 feet of vertical, it may be the shortest ski resort you ever experience.
Great Wolf Lodge
"America's biggest indoor water park".
Nickelodeon Universe
"A large indoor amusement park in the middle of the Mall of America. It has 3 roller coasters in addition to many different rides."
Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge
The Minnesota Valley National Wildlife refuge is right on the Minnesota River and provides a sanctuary for wildlife and migrating birds. The Visitor Center offers fascinating interactive exhibits about the area's natural…
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: May–Sep. Summer highs reach about 83°F; winter lows dip to about 9°F. Cold months (Jan, Feb, Dec) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: Jun and Aug. (climate data from nearby Minneapolis)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- MSP Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport / Wold–Chamberlain Field, Minneapolis — 5 mi away (major hub). Directions
- STC Saint Cloud Regional Airport, Saint Cloud — 61 mi away. Directions
Bloomington is centrally located and convenient to many Twin Cities Metro area attractions. Bloomington is approximately 10 miles south of Minneapolis.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
- Places to stay listed here: about $79–$109 a night (typical $109), from 3 listed prices.
- Typical meal: about $13 per person at listed restaurants.
- Estimated daily budget per person (room, two meals, local transport and an activity): budget ~$110, mid-range ~$170, comfortable ~$240.
See the Sleep guide ↓ for places to stay.
Sample 2-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Sea Life Minnesota Aquarium, Nickelodeon Universe, Great Wolf Lodge
- Lunch Chez Daniel
- Afternoon Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge, Pinnacle Rock Climbing Tower located in REI
- Dinner Gyropolis
Day 2
- Morning Bloomington Center for the Arts, Bloomington Arts Center, The Works Museum
- Lunch Joe Senser's
- Afternoon Normandale Japanese Garden, Hyland Hills Ski Area
- Dinner Surabhi Indian Cuisine
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
The Mall of America has several good eating options inside from fast food to upscale restaurants.
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Get in
Bloomington is centrally located and convenient to many Twin Cities Metro area attractions. Bloomington is approximately 10 miles south of Minneapolis.
By plane
The Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport is near Bloomington and from there it is easy to get on a light rail train to take you into the city.
By car
Bloomington is intersected by two major interstates and a number of major highways. Interstate 35W runs north/south through the center of Bloomington. Interstate 494 runs east/west along Bloomington's northern edge, intersecting with Interstate 35W near the center of the city. US 169 runs most of the western border, and Minnesota 77 runs through the far eastern side.
By public transit
There are no regional buses that have drop-off points in Bloomington. The nearest Greyhound bus terminal is in downtown Minneapolis (see Minneapolis#By bus). The bus terminal is at 950 Hawthorne Ave (at 10th St, one block west of Hennepin) in downtown Minneapolis and is 4-5 blocks away from the light rail station, which you can take into Bloomington. If you need to get into Bloomington from anywhere else in the Twin Cities metro area, you can generally take a local bus or light rail line. Metro Transit is the public transit authority for the entire Twin Cities area, including Minneapolis, St. Paul and Bloomington. Their website has a great and easy-to-use route finder.
Get around
Bloomington has abundant public transit options and it is well connected to Minneapolis and St. Paul and other cities in the Twin Cities metro area. The south end of the Metro Blue Line light rail ends in Bloomington at the Mall of America, giving easy access from Bloomington to Downtown Minneapolis for a sports game, shopping or night out on the town. There is an interchange with the Red Line, a bus rapid transit (BRT) line. Within the city of Bloomington, there are a plethora of bus lines to get you just about anywhere that you need to go.
Bloomington's uses the same public transit system as the rest of the Twin Cities Metro area, including Minneapolis and St. Paul. This integrated system is called Metro Transit. Metro Transit fares are valid for 2 1/2 hours of unlimited transfers from first use and are valid on all Metro Transit buses and light Rail (excluding the Northstar Light Rail Line which requires an additional fare.)
Adult fares as of 2022 are $2 non-rush hour/$2.50 rush hour ($2.50 for express buses during non-rush hours and $3.25 for express buses during rush hour.) Discounts apply for senior citizens and children, as well as disabled veterans and people with disabilities. Up to 3 children under the age of 5 ride for free with a paid adult fare.
See
See Sea Life Minnesota Aquarium
Visit the world's largest underground aquarium and see over 5,000 marine creatures! From 360 pound sea turtles to young sea horses, you will find everything you were hoping to see in the underwater adventure. Scuba Certified, try scuba diving with 9 foot sharks.
See Bloomington Center for the Arts
The Bloomington Center for the Arts offers a variety of plays and concerts in many different styles and genres. From musicals to comedies, symphony orchestra concerts to blue grass, you are sure to find something for everyone's taste. Looking for a night out on the town? Upgrade your ticket to a package that includes dinner at Kincaids for $31 additional.
Do
Do Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge
The Minnesota Valley National Wildlife refuge is right on the Minnesota River and provides a sanctuary for wildlife and migrating birds. The Visitor Center offers fascinating interactive exhibits about the area's natural history. There are an abundance of hiking trails and the refuge offers educational programs as well as picnic grounds and cross country skiing in the winter. This is a great place to take the kids if they haven't burned off all of their excess energy at the Mall of America!
Do Bloomington Arts Center
The Bloomington Arts Center is in the Bloomington Civic Plaza. It offers six exhibits a year as well as art classes for adults and children.
Buy
Shop Mall of America (MOA)
Largest indoor shopping complex in the United States. A dizzying shopping experience. It has hundreds of stores, a LEGO play area, enlarged food court, many restaurants around the complex, the largest-in-USA indoor theme park, and a large aquarium. You can get there by light rail or bus. It also has many stores devoted to games, puzzles, and toys, including two called Fun Toys as well as a Toys R Us. Can't go wrong there!
Eat
Eat Chez Daniel
Pricey but authentic French cuisine. Better than you'd expect from a hotel restaurant.
Eat Joe Senser's
A bunch of big screen TVs makes this a good place for visiting sports fans to catch their hometown team's game or "the big game". Decent bar food, trivia and video games round out the experience.
Eat Surabhi Indian Cuisine
A Bloomington favorite.
Eat Osaka
Minnesota's premier Japanese steak house.
Eat Kincaids
A contemporary American Restaurant in West Bloomington near Normandale Lake (so you can walk off the great meal you just ate!) Kincaids offers upscale dining in an elegant atmosphere. Perfect for a night out on the town without going into Downtown! This restaurant has long been a Bloomington staple for prom kids and adults alike looking for a special night out. Kincaids has great food, good portions and an extensive wine list.
Eat Shantytown Bar and Grill
Bloomington's best kept secret. For those who like restaurants that are off the beaten path, this is your place! Located in an industrial park surrounded by a residential area in Bloomington, this restaurant offers a quirky, family atmosphere. They serve awesome gourmet burgers, onion rings and sandwiches. Has a full bar and great Happy Hours! It doesn't look like much on the outside, but once you get past the exterior and its location, the food is excellent. A great place to hang out with friends.
Eat Dosa South Indian Grill
A nice local place. Don't be afraid of the spice, they know the local demographic. But if you want spicy food, they can get it for you. And if you just want something quick, you can get a lassi for $5. As long as you know what you're getting yourself into (spice-wise) while ordering, this will be a great experience.
Mall of America
The Mall of America has several good eating options inside from fast food to upscale restaurants.
Sleep
- Try the new Water Park of America looked adjacent to the Mall of America. Hotel features indoor water slides soaring 90 feet above the Twin Cities' skyline.
Nearby
Richfield
City / town · 11 listings · 3 mi away
Edina
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Burnsville
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Eagan
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Hopkins
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Eden Prairie
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St. Louis Park
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My experience
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