Top things to do within walking distance of Radisson Blu Mall of America
Radisson Blu Mall of America sits at 2100 Killebrew Dr and connects directly to Mall of America via an indoor skyway, so the top things to do within easy walking distance are the mall’s attractions: Nickelodeon Universe, SEA LIFE Minnesota Aquarium, and the hundreds of shops and restaurants. On-site dining at FireLake Grill House & Cocktail Bar, the hotel pool, and Laughing Waters Spa are also convenient options without leaving the building.
In this guide
Step into Mall of America from the skyway
Radisson Blu Mall of America is directly connected to Mall of America by an indoor skyway, so you can walk straight from the hotel into the mall complex without going outside. The mall offers more than 500 shops, dozens of restaurants, and year-round indoor climate control.
This connection makes shopping, casual strolling, and hopping between attractions quick and dry in any season. Mall of America stays around a comfortable indoor temperature year-round.
- Over 500 shops and dining venues
- Direct indoor access — no need to go outside
- Year-round comfortable indoor climate (about 70°F / 21°C inside the mall)
| What to expect | Why it’s useful |
|---|---|
| Wide selection of stores | Good for shopping stops between meetings or family visits |
| Indoor skyway | Convenient in winter or bad weather |
| Many dining choices | Easy options for breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks |
Nickelodeon Universe (indoor theme park)
Nickelodeon Universe is inside the Mall of America and reachable through the same skyway connection. It’s a compact indoor theme park with roller coasters, family rides, and attractions aimed at kids and teens.
If you’re traveling with children, Nickelodeon Universe is one of the quickest ways to spend a morning or afternoon without needing a car; ride tickets and wristbands are handled by the park itself.
- Indoor roller coasters and family rides
- Located in Mall of America — walk via skyway
- Good for short, weather-proof visits with kids
| Who it’s best for | How to plan |
|---|---|
| Families with children | Bring comfortable shoes; check ride height rules at the park |
| Groups or teens | Buy individual ride tickets or multi-ride wristbands at the park |
| Quick visits | Plan for 1–3 hours depending on lines and interests |
SEA LIFE Minnesota Aquarium
SEA LIFE Minnesota Aquarium is about a 5-minute walk from the hotel through the Mall of America complex, making it an easy stop for families and anyone interested in marine exhibits. The site listing ties the aquarium to the Mall of America visitor path.
Expect indoor exhibits suitable for a one- to two-hour visit; check the aquarium’s own schedule for current hours and special events.
- Approximately a 5-minute walk via Mall of America
- Indoor exhibits — good for all-weather visits
- Family-friendly and suitable for short visits between other plans
| Visit length | Why go |
|---|---|
| 1–2 hours | Compact, engaging exhibits for kids and adults |
| Part of a mall day | Combine with shopping or dining without leaving the complex |
| Educational program times | Check SEA LIFE’s schedule for feeding talks or demonstrations |
FireLake Grill House & Cocktail Bar — on-site dining
FireLake Grill House & Cocktail Bar is the hotel’s on-site restaurant and cocktail bar serving American farm-to-table dishes with wood-fired specialties, seafood and steaks. It offers breakfast, lunch, dinner and lounge service; reservations are accepted and recommended.
Dining at FireLake also provides validated parking for guests who drive to the mall complex, and the restaurant has a Private Dining Room for groups of six to sixty.
- Meal periods: breakfast, lunch and dinner (hours listed by the restaurant)
- Business-casual dress recommended (not athletic wear)
- Private Dining Room available for groups of 6–60
| Service | Typical hours (posted directory) |
|---|---|
| Breakfast | 6:30 am – 11:00 am |
| Lunch | 11:00 am – 2:00 pm |
| Dinner / Lounge | Dinner 5:00 pm – 10:00 pm; lounge service afternoons/evenings |
Hotel amenities: pool, spa, fitness and rooms
If you prefer to stay on property, Radisson Blu Mall of America offers an indoor saline pool, Laughing Waters Spa (Level 3), and a 24-hour fitness center with Life Fitness equipment and complimentary fitness classes. Spa reservations are required for massage services.
Guest rooms and suites include free high-speed wired and wireless internet. Room types at the hotel include Executive Room (High Floor), Studio Suite, with Sofa bed, Valley View, Room (Obstructed View), Room, Executive Room, Suite, with Sofa bed, and Suite, 1 Bedroom — these names are used by the hotel for booking and amenities.
- Indoor saline pool (hotel lists typical hours; confirm current schedule before arrival)
- Laughing Waters Spa on Level 3 — open Monday–Saturday 10 am–9 pm, Sunday 11 am–7 pm
- 24-hour fitness center with cardio, weights and free fitness classes
| Amenity | Note |
|---|---|
| Indoor saline pool | Listed size and hours vary by source; confirm current availability |
| Laughing Waters Spa | Reservations required for massages and many treatments |
| Free Wi‑Fi | Available in rooms and public areas |
Transit, airport access, and getting around
Radisson Blu Mall of America is about a 5–10 minute drive from Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport (MSP). The hotel provides a complimentary airport shuttle by request during posted shuttle hours.
Public transit options include the METRO Blue Line light rail at Mall of America station, which connects to downtown Minneapolis and MSP airport terminals; local buses and the Metro Red Line also serve the area for connections to southern suburbs and the Minnesota Zoo.
- Complementary airport shuttle available (check availability and schedule with the hotel)
- METRO Blue Line light rail connects Mall of America to downtown Minneapolis and MSP airport
- Local bus and BRT services (e.g., Metro Red Line) serve the Mall of America transit station
| To | Typical transit option |
|---|---|
| Downtown Minneapolis | METRO Blue Line light rail |
| MSP Airport | Hotel shuttle or Blue Line light rail |
| Minnesota Zoo | Metro Transit bus Line 440 (direct connection from Mall of America) |
Nearby outdoor excursions a short drive away
If you want to get outside, Minnehaha Falls and Lake Nokomis are popular local spots reachable by short drive (both not within walking distance but nearby). Minnehaha Falls features a 53-foot waterfall and is commonly described as about a 10-minute drive from the Mall of America area.
Lake Nokomis (about 3.9 miles from the hotel) has designated swimming beaches, paddleboard and canoe rentals in summer at Main Beach, and lifeguards during typical daytime summer hours; check local advisories for water quality before swimming.
- Minnehaha Falls — about a 10-minute drive; scenic falls and park trails
- Lake Nokomis — sandy beach, paddlecraft rentals and summer lifeguard hours (check local advisories)
- Minnesota Zoo — roughly a 12-minute drive south of the Mall of America area
| Spot | Typical travel time by car |
|---|---|
| Minnehaha Falls | About 10 minutes |
| Lake Nokomis | Roughly 10–15 minutes (about 3.9 miles) |
| Minnesota Zoo | About 12 minutes (8.5–9.3 miles) |
