Sunday's Site - Nickelodeon Universe, Bloomington | HomesMSP

NOTE: see the bottom of Sunday's Site posts for homes for sale in the area

I remember taking an 'inside' tour of the Mall of America as this amazing structure with 4.2 million square feet was being built…then taking my daughter and a friend to opening day in August, 1992. Seventeen years later, it is still a popular destination.

The Mall of America is the largest enclosed mall in terms of total enclosed floor area, and includes over 520 stores, 50 restaurants and numerous attractions, including a 7-acre amusement park in the center of the complex. I find it fascinating that the skylights in the park provide most of the heat for the public spaces in the whole mall, even in the winter…only the outside entrances to the mall are heated.

Our 'meeting spot' for many years was always 'Snoopy's Water Dish' at one of the entrances to Camp Snoopy. It's no longer there..after several changes, the park became Nickelodeon Universe in March, 2008.

When the amusement park became Nickelodeon Universe most of the rides changed names, the Mystery Mine Ride was eliminated and 4 new rides were added. There are now 8 thrill rides, 6 family rides, and 10 kiddie rides…enough for the whole family to enjoy. Entrance is free, but you must purchase tickets or wristbands to enjoy the rides.

With a great deal of natural foliage and a floor with 'rolling hills' (there is a 15-foot variance in height from the highest to the lowest point), the park has a much more naturalistic feel than most indoor amusement parks. It even has a plaque in the floor showing the former site of home plate for Met Stadium, which was formerly located on the site.

It has been so wonderful to get much-needed rain this weekend…but it reminded me that with school out for summer, having an indoor destination such as Nickelodeon Universe at MOA is not only great for winter…it's also great for rainy summer days!

Click here to see homes currently for sale in Bloomington, Richfield, and Eagan, Minnesota, in the area around the Mall of America and Nickelodeon Universe in the southeast corner of I-494 and Highway 77. (Please be patient while the link searches for the most current listings…click on the map to zoom in until you see icons on the dots, then pass your cursor over them for property information.)