A Budget-Friendly Guide to the Mall of America
Post updated 12/29/21
Hey there! Today I am posting something a little different than usual : A frugal guide to Mall of America®.
I live just a few miles from Mall of America (MOA™) in Bloomington, Minnesota. And I know this Mall like the back of my hand. If you’re new to my blog, you should know that I’m all about bargains and budget shopping.
I’ve come up with some lists to help you get the most out of MOA while sticking to a budget. I hope you enjoy!
Best places to get deals on clothing:
- Nordstrom Rack: Be prepared to dig deep to find the best deals at this store. I recently found a super cute winter coat on clearance for just $39 – one that I can wear for years to come. A brag-worthy find, if I do say so myself.
- Ragstock: Ragstock stocks both new and recycled/vintage clothing – the only retailer at MOA to stock used clothing. There are deals to be found in this store, from flannels to leggings to ugly Christmas sweaters and more.
- Forever 21: I don’t like spending a lot of money on trendy clothing and accessories, because these items can look dated in just a few months. What I love about Forever 21 is that I can afford to purchase these pieces without overspending. I especially love perusing the jewelry and accessories section for fun pieces to spice up my outfits.
- Francesca’s Collections: Shopping at this cute boutique is like going through the closet of your most fashionable friend. Everything here is so gosh darn cute! And the best part? Most of the items in this store cost less than $40. Fabulous.
Best budget-friendly eats:
- Burger Burger: This is my favorite place to eat at the MOA. Get a really great, filling burger for about $8.00. (Try the John Wayne!) They also have really good fries with a wide array of dipping sauce options.
- Johnny Rocket’s: Get a lot of food for not a lot of money at this 50’s style diner in the south food court.
- Culinary on North: The north food court is full of fun dining options: Shake Shack, Naf Naf Grill, Chick-fil-A, and Piada (Italian sandwiches) all offer plenty of options on a budget. Take your fast food and grab a table at the north end of this food court, which offers great views of the city as well as planes landing and taking off from MSP airport.
- Poukei: This addition to the north food court offers poke bowls and sushi burritos. It’s not the cheapest fast food dining option, but I love their food. You can get a filling meal for about $11.00. I have tried the spicy salmon poke bowl (with kimchi, avocado, Japanese pickles, carrots, yum yum sauce, and eel sauce) and the tempura shrimp sushi burrito. SO good, you guys!
Best places to get something for little or nothing:
- The South Food Court: Want to grab a quick bite but feel overwhelmed with options? Take a stroll around the South Food Court. Some of the food stands give out free samples. My favorite? The mango chicken at Ruby Thai.
- Pepper Palace: You can sample almost every hot sauce, barbecue sauce, and salsa in this store. Take my advice: Start mild!
- Lindt chocolate: What’s better than chocolate? Free chocolate! Rumor has it, Lindt sometimes hands out free chocolate truffles to shoppers.
- 5 Below: Everything sold at 5 Below costs $5 or less. They have a surprisingly good variety of items for sale from snacks to clothing to toys and more.
- Ebisu: This fun Japanese store has a little of everything, and most of it is really cheap. Pick up a bottled Japanese beverage, some snacks, and check out their selection of random household and beauty items as well.
Best places to indulge:
- Lush: Sampling is encouraged at this intoxicatingly fresh cosmetics store. The friendly staff routinely offer skin treatments and explain how to use their unique body products. My favorite product? The shampoo bars that make my hair smell super fabulous.
- Coffee and tea: Stay caffeinated during your trip to the Mall of America. Throughout the mall you’ll find 6 Caribou Coffees, 2 Starbucks shops, a Dunkin’, Chatime Tea, Sencha Tea Bar, and other cafes to pick up a latte, boba tea or your beverage of choice.
- Ice cream: You can’t mention indulging without talking about one of many ice cream shops at the MOA! Spoil your supper at Cold Stone Creamery, Haagen-Dazs, Waffles & Dinges, Minnewaffolis or Sugar Factory.
Where to stay
Want to make a weekend out of it? The Radisson Blu is connected to the Mall of America by skyway. How convenient is that? After a day of shopping, eating, and entertainment, nothing feels better than being mere steps away from your hotel room.
The rooms are modern and comfortable. And I loved the Minnesota-themed accents. The headboard featured pictures of the Minnesota Twins, Bob Dylan, the Walker Art Center, and other local icons.
Forever 21 is my favorite budget-friendly store at MOA.
Ahhh, I don’t know what all the stores are at the mall. But to answer your question: H&M 🙂
I like the Minnesota stores and the Packers store but my favorite “deals” place is the huge DSW!
Shopping the clearance section at Ann Taylor when it’s an extra 30% off!
forever 21
Aeropostale is my favorite
Do Toddler Tuesdays count? Those are a great deal. Otherwise, I like shopping at the Lands’ End store inside of Sear’s. Great prices on solid clothes.
twitted this today, 14/05
I like Nordstroms Rack
Forever 21.
I love going into Sephora and trying out every imaginable blush, powder, and eye shadow. I have to say those products really help cover the blemishes on an aging face.
If I want to save on food while i’m there, Taco Bell would be my restaurant of choice 🙂
Hmm, I guess I usually hit up The Limited; they’ve been having sales every time I’m there.
Thanks for the giveaway
We are headed to The Mall of America this fall. I have never been and am so excited! The gift card could come in handy!!
Gonna have to go with Cupcake!
We love Rybicki Cheese!
Nordstrom Rack is my favorite!
-https://twitter.com/tcarolinep/status/335058675423133696
American Apparel occasionally has good deals!
It depends on the day. Check out the happy hour specials on the MOA website before heading out. They have great deals if you arrive at the right time and order from their discounted menus!
https://twitter.com/OneFrugalGirl/status/335223888176898048
onefrugalgirl AT gmail DOT com
Oh, so many to pick from. I’ve gotten great stuff at Off the Rack.
forever 21
Looks like loads of fun. I would love to go there!
I like Buffalo Wild Wings
https://twitter.com/Merle0304/status/337002920568582145
forever 21
I’d like to check out the Swim N’ Sport store.
H&M is my favorite place to shop!
Thanks for the chance to win!
wildorchid985 at gmail dot com
tweet–https://twitter.com/WildOrchid985/status/338397065388388352
i love sephora
You’ve hit my favorite: Pepper Palace. I love trying new things so getting to sample things is really fun, especially when I go with my husband and kids. Outside of food, I’m thrilled to hear that LUSH, Minnesota-made soaps, is at the MOA. In our quest to minimize plastic, we discovered lush shampoo bars. They won the Best Green Packaging award in 2008.
Nordstrom Rack! I always get the most amazing deals there. I even got a pair of jeans for $.01 before! (Regular price $130!!)
Tweeted!
https://twitter.com/mrs_puddle/status/339464712297267200
I like Nordstroms Rack
Francesca’s Collections
Cupcake is budget friendly when you share your cupcake with your whole family.
Nordstrom Rack
https://twitter.com/purplelover04/status/341586062910574592
Maurices – I love their clothes…and their sales!!
An easy answer Nordstrom’s Rack!4
American Girl store.
Thank you for this post. I love insider tips to “The Mall”! Even after countless shopping and dining trips, it is fun to learn new money saving tips. I am always up for a bargain!
I love Forever 21.
I don’t yet! We are making our first trip there in a couple of weeks. We have a Francesca’s in our mall though and I love it.
My favorite budget-friendly restaurant at Mall of America is Magic Pan Crepe Stand.
Forever 21! they have affordable clothes & accessories, and are always fashionable!
My favorite budget-friendly restaurant at Mall of America is Tiger Sushi 2.
I always get good deals at Forever 21
Because I used to live in Minnesota, I know that Tucci Benucch is the best restaurant in the MOA, specifically, the Baked Spaghetti, which is a block of deliciousness!
*tweet, tweet*
https://twitter.com/emmycoffee/status/342805310005719040
My favorite budget-friendly store at Mall of America is Forever 21! Always find some cool stuffs there at very reasonable prices.
amy [at] utry [dot] it
tweeted:
https://twitter.com/uTry_it/status/342890206669709313
amy [at] utry [dot] it
This sounds so cool. Hope I win
Nordstrom Rack
always good deals at Forever 21
Def Forever 21 🙂
I love American Apparel
I like Nordstrom Rack.
Tweet – https://twitter.com/willitara/status/343246754084438017
I like forever 21 myself!
I like to shop at the Gap.
i really like to shop at Macy’s they always have such great sales and they are really quite budget friendly
https://twitter.com/fdp4life/status/343483916302303232
We love the American Girl store!!
forever 21
I like Forever 21!
I have never been there, but I would like to check out Magic Pan Crepe Stand!
Aerpostale is my fav
We like shopping at Nordstrom Rack
Forever 21 is my absolute favorite!
Nordstrom Rack is my favorite store
https://twitter.com/aes529/status/343758623664656384
I love Nordstroms Rack
https://twitter.com/thomasmurphy40/status/343764291347943427
I like Bath and Body Works. I am on their email list and I always receive coupons from them. Plus, they have frequent sales.
Aeropostale is our fave.
Chance to Win a gift card. https://tinyurl.com/meu49tk #SweepstakesEntry
My favorite budget friendly store is Urban Outfitters. I love that store!
I love going to eat at the rainforest cafe when there such a gun place
I love going to eat at the rainforest cafe when there such a fun place thanks for the chance
https://twitter.com/eaglesforjack/status/343851394496864256
My fave is Forever 21, I love MOA.
tweeted
https://twitter.com/darrenswife1/status/343855230120755201
Nordstrom Rack.
Forever 21 is too much! Love it there
Old Navy is my favorite.
https://twitter.com/ccboobooy/status/343871943327494144
my sister loves Forever 21
I’ve never been to MOA, but we are going this summer! Thanks for the chance to win!
My favorite store is Nordstrom Rack. 🙂
twitted this today, 28/06
twitted this today, 29/06
fresh fruit, twitted this today, 30/06
I would go to Sephora and the AQUARIUM!
I love the Rain Forest Cafe!
I haven’t been but Arby’s is always a decent eat
Eating at the rainforest cafe, the merry go round and the lego store
i would go to eat
I’d visit Legoland first.
I’ve never been to MOA but Marshalls which is listed as one of their stores always has great deals.
lisalmg25 at gmail dot com
I Tweeted: https://twitter.com/lisalmg/status/353601179709739010
lisalmg25 at gmail dot com
The Lego Store!!
I love Nordstroms Rack
https://twitter.com/Hotsnotty2/status/353898386988089344
I love shopping at the Nordstrom Rack.
shawn113(at)hotmail(dot)com
I would love to go to the aquarium. we love to look at fish and all wildlife.
susansmoaks at gmail dot com
Bath and body works is my fav. fragrance and lotion store. I get coupons from them all the time and they always have great deals when I come in. Deals like “buy 2 get 1 free” And “all lotions half off” are what make me save a lot of money everytime I shop there.