SEA LIFE Minnesota is the best indoor animal encounter in the Twin Cities and a natural partner to a day at Mall of America. The aquarium sits beneath the mall, and its centrepiece is a walk-through ocean tunnel holding around 1.2 million gallons of water, where sharks, rays, sea turtles and shoals of fish glide over and around you. The route starts with freshwater displays inspired by the rivers and lakes of Minnesota, so you meet local species before heading out into the ocean zones, and it continues past rock pools, jellyfish and tropical reef displays. Many visitors say the tunnel is the moment that makes the visit, especially for younger children who can stand with their noses to the glass as a shark passes overhead. Talks and feeding demonstrations run through the day, and interactive touch and learning stations explain the conservation work behind the displays. It is a compact, well-paced visit rather than a giant marine park, so it works well alongside other attractions in the mall. The Tiqets entry ticket linked on this page gives you general admission, and the listing also shows combination tickets with FlyOver America or Nickelodeon Universe if you want to bundle your day.
How to visit: SEA LIFE Minnesota is inside Mall of America, with an address of 120 East Broadway in Bloomington. Tiqets lists aquarium hours of 10am to 7pm from Monday to Thursday, 10am to 8pm on Friday and Saturday, and 10am to 6pm on Sunday, and the entry ticket was showing availability for the same day when we checked. Booking ahead online is still sensible at weekends and in school holidays, when the queue at the door builds. The light rail stops at the mall, so you do not need a car.
What to expect: the route is a one-way walk that most people complete in one to two hours, depending on how long they linger at the tunnel and the talks. Expect it to be busy and noisy at peak times, as this is a favourite with families and school groups. Buggies are manageable, and the aquarium is a warm, dim, calm place to spend a cold afternoon.
Making the most of it: arrive at opening on a weekday for the quietest tunnel, check the talk and feed times at the entrance, and plan the rest of your mall day around them. If you also want rides or the flight ride, compare the combination tickets on the Tiqets page before buying single tickets.
What to expect
The experience
A one-way indoor aquarium walk ending in a 1.2-million-gallon ocean tunnel with sharks, rays and sea turtles, plus talks and learning stations.
Best time
Weekday mornings at opening, before school groups and families arrive.
How long
One to two hours.
Tips
Check the talk and feeding times at the entrance and compare the combination tickets if you also plan to do rides or FlyOver America.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Families with young children and anyone who wants a calm, warm hour away from the mall crowds.
- Families
- Ideal for toddlers and primary-age children, who love the shark tunnel and touch stations.
- Couples
- A quiet weekday visit to the tunnel is a surprisingly relaxing break before dinner in the mall.
- Pair with
- Nickelodeon Universe or FlyOver America, both a short walk away inside Mall of America.
- Time needed
- About ninety minutes.
Good questions
Where is SEA LIFE Minnesota?+
It is inside Mall of America in Bloomington, at 120 East Broadway. The METRO light rail stops at the mall, so you can get there from downtown Minneapolis or the airport without a car.
What are SEA LIFE Minnesota’s opening hours?+
Tiqets lists 10am to 7pm Monday to Thursday, 10am to 8pm on Friday and Saturday, and 10am to 6pm on Sunday. Hours can change on holidays, so check before you go.
How big is the SEA LIFE Minnesota tunnel?+
The walk-through ocean tunnel holds around 1.2 million gallons of water. Sharks, rays and sea turtles swim over and around you as you walk through.
How long does a visit to SEA LIFE Minnesota take?+
Most visitors spend between one and two hours. Staying for a talk or feeding demonstration adds a little more time.
Can I combine SEA LIFE with other Mall of America attractions?+
Yes, Tiqets sells combination tickets with FlyOver America or Nickelodeon Universe. They are listed on the same page as the single entry ticket.
