SEA LIFE at Mall of America
4.5(11K)google
3.5(213)yelp
Wildlife WatchingKidsIndoorInteractiveImmersiveEducationalWildlife
Overview
Sea Life at Mall of America (formally known as Sea Life Minnesota Aquarium) is a public aquarium located in the Mall of America in Bloomington, Minnesota, United States. The 1.3 million-US-gallon (4.9 ML) aquarium contains thousands of aquatic creatures, including sea turtles, sharks, sawfish, stingrays, jellyfish and seahorses. There are eleven exhibits featured at the aquarium.
Practical Info
Mon10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Tue10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Wed10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Thu10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Fri10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Sat10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Sun11:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Suggested Duration2-3 hours
Best TimeAn outstanding year-round fully indoor underwater sanctuary. The most strategic visiting window is weekday afternoons (Monday through Thursday) from 1:30 PM to 3:30 PM. This perfectly avoids the heavy morning school field trip rushes, leaving the breathtaking 300-foot acrylic ocean tunnel quiet and open for unhurried marine photography.
Getting ThereLocated conveniently on the East Market level of the Mall of America. Take the METRO Blue Line light rail to the Mall of America station and walk upstairs toward the East Court retail wing. For drivers, it is highly advised to utilize the East Garage multi-story parking deck and take the connected skyway doors straight into the aquarium ticketing plaza.
Travel Tips
- The aquarium sits entirely on Level 1 East Market; walking from the West Ramp takes over 20 minutes, so self-drivers must use the East Parking Ramp Levels P1 or P2 for direct 5-minute elevator access.
- Timed tickets expire after a strict 15-minute grace window with no on-site remedies; during high-congestion weekends, initiate time-slot changes via the mobile portal at least 2 hours before your window.
Photo Tips
Gear
- The 300-foot underwater tunnel enforces one-way foot traffic and suffers severe glare; capture reflections by pressing your camera lens flat against the glass before 10:30 AM or after 7:00 PM without flash.
Reviews
Positive
- Walking through the long underwater tunnel puts you face-to-face with sharks and stingrays swimming right above and beside you, providing a mesmerizing visual experience.
- The interactive touch pool is a major highlight; kids can touch starfish and anemones, and even participate in feeding stingrays, making it both educational and fun.
- Even though the aquarium is located underground, the environment is kept spotlessly clean, with beautifully designed exhibits, mood lighting, and a smooth traffic flow.
- If you buy discounted annual passes online or utilize local promotional partnerships like MNSEI, the value proposition increases significantly, making it a great family staple.
Heads up
- The overall footprint of the aquarium is quite small; if you just walk through normally, you can finish it in 45 to 60 minutes, lacking the depth expected of its reputation.
- The standard walk-up ticket prices are on the higher side, and the items in the attached gift shop are heavily marked up, making it feel overpriced for the duration of the visit.
- During peak weekend afternoon hours, the narrow pathways and tunnels become heavily congested with strollers, making the space feel cramped and making it hard to enjoy or take photos.
- Some of the multilingual audio guides or interactive electronic screens are occasionally out of order and not repaired in time, disappointing those seeking a deeper educational experience.