With kids! 
When we told people we were heading north to Minnesota for our first long weekend from school, we were mostly met with confusion. I can’t judge – my own awareness of all that’s available in Bloomington Minnesota in October was also shockingly low. Now I know better! This may be the most fun we’ve ever packed into a long weekend. For us, you know that’s saying something! Here’s all we loved about our accessible vacation in Bloomington, Minnesota!
Accessible Transportation: Getting There and Around
Flying in
We flew Southwest airline from Baltimore into Minneapolis St. Paul. The flight was just over two hours from the east coast, making this an incredibly easy long weekend trip. We left after the kids got out of school on Friday, and caught a flight back after dinner on Monday.
Accessible Rides Around
MSP, or the Minneapolis St. Paul airport, is right in the heart of all the action. You can catch public transportation right from the airport, stay in a hotel with an airport shuttle, or pick up your rental before making the five minute drive into the city. We’ve never had an easier time getting to and from an airport.
We rented a car to fit our wheelchair. It didn’t look like there were many accessible rideshare options in the city. We only ended up needing our car a few times, since many things in Bloomington are so close together and easily accessible. I still think it was worth it to have our own vehicle, based on the availability of accessible rideshares and the cost of using an Uber XL even just a few times.
Accessible Things to Do
Mall of America is the big bucketlist travel pull of the area, but there’s so much more to explore! Let me start with some wheelchair accessible Mall of America Highlights, and then dive into what’s worth leaving the mall for.
SEA LIFE
Fitting an aquarium with underwater tunnels into the lower level of a mall should give you an idea of all the fun you’re getting yourself into at Mall of America. SEA LIFE is an immersive aquarium experience featuring thousands of marine animals, including sharks, sea turtles, and stingrays.
Take the elevator down to the lower level and enjoy a smooth, ramped experience. Educational opportunities and photo opps abound. Don’t miss the touch tank – if your hands can handle the cold! There’s plenty here to fill a whole morning or afternoon.
Museum of Illusions
Museum of Illusions is one of those fun places you see on Instagram with people walking on ceilings or warping size perceptions. The best of “edutainment,” you’ll want to spend some time ruminating on each of the images, installations, and illusion rooms.
There was one light tunnel that we weren’t able to access with a wheelchair, but every other exhibit was easy to explore with a chair.
Nickelodeon Universe
This is the fun Mall of America is known for! I always knew Mall of America had a rollercoaster and a ferris wheel, which is mind blowing enough, but did you know there’s an entire theme park in the center of the mall? Nickelodeon Universe covers over seven acres and includes over two dozen rides, a play area, and extra shops and treats.
Start your visit at the Nickelodeon Shop to get your accessibility pass. Your pass allows you to enter through the exit on all rides, and you can request to ride twice in a row. Three rides have stairs to enter, but there’s an alternate lift option. You can press the green button to summon a manager, or dial the phone number. The phone seems to work faster. The only ride that does not require a wheelchair transfer is the carousel.
FlyOver America
Reminiscent of Disney’s Soarin, FlyOver America is an additional ride just outside of Nickelodeon Universe. There are a couple of ride options (America or Hawaii, when we visited) but both give the feeling of flying over and through stunning scenery. It’s worth the add on.
If you’re unable to transfer, you can stay in your wheelchair and view the experience from the flight deck. The experience is still beautiful, but not as immersive and not 4-D (you’ll miss out on misting when flying by waves). I don’t recommend the experience for anyone who experiences vertigo or motion sickness.
Amazing Mirror Maze
We’ve never had so much fun being lost! (And we’ve been lost a lot! Ha!)
Amazing Mirror Maze has wide, smooth paths that are easy to navigate with a wheelchair. For safety reasons, they do ask that you keep your hands in front of you at all times. Obviously, that can be a bit tricky if your hands are on your wheels. The idea is not to hurt yourself slamming into any glass walls at full speed. We went pretty slowly and took turns pushing wheels and putting hands out to check for walls.
LEGO Store
More than a store, LEGO offers a full experience. Of course you can build your own minifigure, like in any other LEGO Store, but here you can also design a torso and have it printed while you wait. Just outside the LEGO Store, you can stay and build. When we were there, it was a guided experience and you got to keep the LEGO creation when you were finished. Other times it may just be an open LEGO play and build area.
Typical of the Mall of America spaces, both the store and building area were zero entry with plenty of aisle space to navigate easily. The store gets crowded over the weekend, but they have a max capacity, which keeps the crowds down and makes it easier to roll around.
Shopping
We spent two full days at Mall of America before doing any shopping, but it is, in fact, a mall. My young crew wasn’t very interested in any of my favorite stores, but the M&M’S Store, Nickelodeon Shop, and GameStop were their favorites. Side note, I didn’t realize my kids were old enough for GameStop until they asked to go in. It’s more than just video games. They have pop culture plushies, toys, Funko POPs and non-digital games, too.
Fort Snelling State Park
With all of the rides, shops, and attractions of the nation’s biggest mall, I bet you weren’t expecting a forested state park island to be next on the list! Fort Snelling is only minutes from the hustle and bustle of Bloomington’s main attractions, but it’s a complete nature oasis.
You don’t even have to worry about trail accessibility. You can pick up a track chair at the visitor center and navigate almost any trail in the park (with the exception of the steep trail leading outside of the park to the fort). You can reserve the chair ahead of time, here. Reservations are strongly recommended, since the chair is often booked out weeks in advance. They’re currently in the process of getting a second chair to meet the high demand for accessible trails.
Follow the Pike Island Trail to see where the Mississippi and Minnesota Rivers meet.
Minnesota Zoo
The Minnesota Zoo is at the center of conservation efforts for thousands of species around the globe, but my favorite animals were the unusual highlights from closer to home! I officially saw my first moose (though, he wasn’t very cooperative, and I really only saw his rump from a distance). They also have a wolverine – a favorite of mine that I’ve never seen in a zoo.
The pathways through the zoo were all wheelchair accessible, including the elevated treetop walk that loops around the perimeter for beautiful foliage views. Most doors were automatic and all restrooms had accessible options.
Don’t miss the touch tank right after you enter, and the twin baby tigers shortly before you exit.
Children’s Theatre Company
The theater is a beautiful escape into other worlds, and it’s such a gift when we find an option that’s family friendly! With shorter shows and family centric shows, the Children’s Theatre is the perfect exposure to the world of drama.
Inclusion is central to the Children’s Theatre Company’s purpose. Their belief that the theater can be a powerful force to illuminate connections, create common bonds, and transform lives by building bridges to empathy, understanding, inclusion, and opportunity is clear in everything from building design to show choices and presentation. Accessible performances include those with Audio Description, American Sign Language, and Sensory Friendly. Our theatre had tiered seating, but the front row is made of moveable chairs with spaces left open for wheelchairs.The theatre design made these the best seats in the house.
Hyland Lake Park Reserve
The Hyland Lake Park Reserve is a scenic retreat in the heart of Bloomington, offering breathtaking landscapes and a variety of physical activities… but we just went for the epic playground. The playground has ramped entry and a poured rubber surface. A portion of the playground is designed for all abilities, including one major structure and a few roll-up activities. If your kids are able to crawl/climb, there’s a three story climbing structure that will entertain for hours.
Where to Eat
Oh. My. Yum! Come hungry. These were our favorites!
Kura Sushi
Authentically Japanese and the most fun we’ve ever had at a restaurant, Kura Sushi has a revolving sushi belt. Choose what you want and pay by the plate. Don’t see what you want? You can also order from the kitchen and have it sent to your table on the express belt. Drinks are delivered by droid. If your crew doesn’t like sushi, there are also other options like rice, fruit, soups, dumplings, and other Japanese side dishes.
There are both booth and table options with wide aisles for easy accessibility. The restaurant is located on the third floor of Mall of America just beyond the North Food Court. Accessible restrooms are also off of the food court.
FireLake Grill House
Connected to Mall of America, FireLake Grill House is Radisson Blu’s hotel restaurant. FireLake Grill House partners with local farmers, ranchers, artisan producers, and University of Michigan’s Bee Squad to bring you fresh, locally sourced, classic Minnesota flavors. Convenient, delicious, and easily accessible.
Spacious accessible restrooms available inside the restaurant.
Sweet Paris Creperie
Travel all the way to Paris without leaving the mall. The atmosphere and flavors of Sweet Paris Creperie were authentic to a Parisian creperie… with mall views of the newest Tesla model out the window. Both sweet and savory crepes and a full children’s menu.
Plenty of space for navigating a wheelchair and accessible mall restrooms nearby.
Perk Up Kitchen
Because brunch is everyone’s favorite, Perk Up Kitchen is one worth leaving the mall for. The chicken and waffles with cornbread waffles and a hot honey syrup were the best I’ve ever had. Mimosas and French toast are a win any time of day. All the classics with a fun twist!
Zero entry doorway, accessible seating options, and spacious accessible restroom.
Patrick’s Bakery and Cafe
Patrick’s felt like a hidden gem with cases of freshly baked French pastries and no long line to get to them. They have every French pastry option you can dream of, and they serve hearty breakfast options and espresso drinks to order.
Zero entry doorway, accessible seating, wide spaces for easy rolling.
Hazelwood Food and Drink
The host told us we were wise in making Hazelwood Food and Drink our very first meal in Minnesota, and he wasn’t wrong. The service was all the Minnesota warmth and welcome, and the food was all the Minnesota flavor and flare with a modern take on classic comfort foods. The prime rib hash was one of those meals that makes you pause for a sigh between each bite.
Zero entry, wide aisles, accessible seating and restrooms.
Unbeatable Accessible Accommodations
Radisson Blu
Typically, our son is a part time wheelchair user and we’re able to cheat a bit when it comes to room accessibility. Since I’ve seen how often we need those cheats in hotels, I was a little bit nervous for our first stay as a full time wheelchair user.
Radisson Blu absolutely nailed it in accessibility, comfort, luxury, and convenience. The sliding bathroom door, roll under sink, double grab bars for the toilet and roll in shower made the bathroom a breeze. The bathroom, bedroom, and living spaces in the suite were spacious and easy to navigate. The convenience of the hotel, with FireLake Grill House downstairs and Mall of America across the hall, was unbeatable. If we weren’t so excited to get out in nature with the track chair, we never would’ve had to leave the building. The staff were friendly and helpful and even the revolving entrance door had accessibility options.
We’ve never had a more seamless hotel stay.
What We Missed
We had so much fun on our long weekend, but it wasn’t nearly enough time to do it all. I guess it’s always good to have something to save for next time?
When we go back, I’d love to check out the fourth floor of the mall, with all of the entertainment options, and maybe even do some actual shopping. I’d also love to check out Full Tilt Tavern – a restaurant serving up goodies like burgers, sandwiches, and pizza in a huge arcade with all the modern video games and classic favorites.
Did you know that in addition to having the nation’s largest mall, Minnesota also has the nation’s first indoor mall? And they’re just around the corner from each other! That may not be enough to make it bucketlist worthy, but I would love to check out the tech-infused mini golf at Puttshack at Southdale. It says it’s ADA accessible!