Once you arrive at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, take a free shuttle to one of Bloomington’s 45+ hotels, check in, and get ready to shop. Not only is there no sales tax on clothing or shoes here, but with Bloomington being at the center of the cities’ best shopping, you’ll be able to pack a lot into one visit.
Day One: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Take a free shuttle from your hotel to Mall of America. With more than 500 stores, 50 restaurants, and numerous attractions, you’ll need a whole day to experience the Mall. And remember to wear your most comfortable shoes for walking — but you can always pick up a cuter pair while out. Shop upscale brands like A|X Armani Exchange, Burberry, Kate Spade New York, and Michael Kors on the Mall’s South Avenue, or peruse the East, West and North sides for everything from clothes, shoes, and accessories to beauty products, electronics, toys, decor, and gifts. Along the way, take a break to check out attractions like Nickelodeon Universe®, FlyOver America, and SEA LIFE at Mall of America.
5-7 p.m. Grab a bite to eat at Sugar Factory and enjoy a wide-ranging menu of American dishes in a bright and fun atmosphere.
7-10 p.m. Head to Level 4 of the Mall for go-karting, video games and axe throwing at The Fair on 4 or see a top comedian at Rick Bronson’s House of Comedy.
Day Two: 10 a.m.-12 p.m. Make the five-minute drive to the Galleria in Edina for a healthy, fresh breakfast at Good Earth. Then, grab a cup of coffee at Starbucks and get ready to shop some more.
12-3 p.m. The Galleria offers a variety of shops, including national favorites and local boutiques, plus large home goods stores and even an art gallery. And with no sales tax on clothing and shoes, there’s no better time to shop some of the high-end stores here, like Coach, Louis Vuitton, and Tiffany & Co.
3-6 p.m. Walk across the street to Southdale Center, the nation’s first enclosed shopping center, to visit even more stores. Here you can shop department stores such as Macy’s or favorite brands like Banana Republic, J. Crew and Madewell.
7-10 p.m. Return to your hotel and get ready for an entertaining night ahead. Take the short drive to Chanhassen Dinner Theatres, the nation’s largest professional dinner theater, for dinner and a show. Every production is top-notch – Oscar-nominated actress Amy Adams even got her start here!.
Day Three: 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Grab a bagel and coffee at Bruegger’s Bagels before hitting Southtown Center stores like Bed Bath & Beyond, Target, and T.J. Maxx. Have lunch at either Lucky’s 13 Pub or Cowboy Jack’s—two of the best pubs in the Twin Cities.
1-5 p.m. Drive 10 minutes from Bloomington to Twin Cities Premium Outlets in Eagan. This half-mile long shopping center features more than 100 stores offering a savings of 25 to 65 percent, including many national brands. Save at stores like Calvin Klein, Filson, Le Creuset, Old Navy, Tommy Hilfiger, and Vera Bradley.
5-7 p.m. Head back to Bloomington for dinner at one of the city’s many fine restaurants, such as Kincaid’s or Bloomington ChopHouse. If those don’t whet your appetite, check out other Bloomington restaurants to read more about the city’s great eats.
7-10 p.m. View what’s on display at Bloomington Center for the Arts, where professional artwork by local and regional artists in varying media, styles and genres is showcased. The galleries are open until 10 p.m. every day except Saturday. Or if you’re in the mood for live music, head back to either Lucky’s 13 Pub or Cowboy Jack’s, where live performances run Thursday – Saturday nights.
