Hold Up—A Florida Mall Just Beat Minnesota’s MOA?

Minnesota is the birthplace of the modern, enclosed shopping mall, and not only do we have the biggest and most popular one in the country, but we’re also home to many other great malls. So, it makes sense we’d show up on any national rankings.

USA Today just released its list of the 10 best malls in America, asking: "There are hundreds upon hundreds of indoor shopping malls throughout the U.S., but which among them is the very best?"

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Minnesota Mall Just Misses Top Spot on National List

They started with 20 nominees, curated by a panel, and then turned it over to readers to vote for the final rankings.

It might surprise you that Minnesota’s most iconic mall came in second place, losing the top spot to a mall nearly half its size.

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According to the results, Aventura Mall in Florida earned the #1 ranking. With 2.7 million square feet of leasable space and more than 300 stores, Aventura goes for an upscale vibe. Think art installations, yoga classes, and a farmers market—fancy, not family.

Mall of America Places Second—but Still Wins in a Big Way

Right behind it, the Mall of America in Bloomington took second. With more than 5.6 million square feet of leasable space and over 500 stores, it's not just a mall, it’s a full-blown entertainment destination. It includes a theme park, a movie theater, a massive aquarium, and lots more.

And while Aventura may have edged it out in the rankings, there’s one title it can’t take, the Mall of America sees nearly 40 million visitors each year, making it one of the top 5 tourist attractions in the country. So we’ll call that a win for Minnesota.