Mall Walking at Mall of America

Early-morning walkers on an empty mall level with the shop gates closed

Mall of America opens its doors three hours before the shops so that walkers can use the corridors as an indoor track. There is no ticket and no sign-up. Each level is about 1.2 miles round, and all three shopping levels come to roughly a 5K. The mall’s own walking club is called Mall Stars.

Doors3 hours before the shops

CostFree, no ticket

One levelAbout 1.2 miles

Three levelsRoughly a 5K

ClubMall Stars, around two hundred walkers

ShopsClosed until 10 am

When the doors open

Retail hours are 10 am to 9 pm Monday to Saturday and 11 am to 7 pm on Sunday, as published; check before travelling. The doors open three hours earlier, which on those hours means about 7 am Monday to Saturday and 8 am on Sunday.

The lap and the 5K

The corridors ring the theme park, so a lap ends where it started. The mall gives each level as about 1.2 miles round, and its itinerary page puts all three shopping levels at roughly a 5K. The map and levels page shows how the levels fit together.

What is open, and what is not

The shops stay closed until retail hours, and the attractions keep their own schedules: Nickelodeon Universe and SEA LIFE open at 10 am Monday to Saturday. Which entrances and levels are open in the early hours is set by the mall; mallofamerica.com has the current arrangement.

Mall Stars, the walking club

Mall Stars is the mall’s own walking club, with around 200 members. Walking the corridors needs no membership.

Walking in winter

Minnesota winters are long and cold, and the mall is one of the few places in the region to walk a 5K indoors in January. The building has no central heating yet stays at roughly 65 to 75°F. The heating page explains why.

After the walk

At 10 am the park opens. Walkers who stay on can be first in the queue for the rides; the park page covers the wristband and the points card.

Local tip

One lap of each of the three shopping levels, in turn, adds up to the 5K on the mall’s own itinerary page.

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Frequently asked questions

Can you walk around Mall of America before it opens?

Yes. The doors open three hours before the shops, and walkers are welcome during that time.

Do people go to Mall of America just to walk?

Yes. Mall Stars, the mall’s walking club, has around 200 members. In winter the mall is one of the few places in the region to walk a 5K indoors; see the best-time page.

How far is one lap around Mall of America?

About 1.2 miles per level. The timing page adds the attractions.

Is it free to walk in the mall?

Yes. There is no ticket, no sign-up and no parking charge.