Bloomington (Minnesota)

Bloomington is centrally located and convenient to many Twin Cities Metro area attractions. Bloomington is approximately 10 miles south of Minneapolis.

By plane

The Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport is near Bloomington and from there it is easy to get on a light rail train to take you into the city.

By car

Bloomington is intersected by two major interstates and a number of major highways. Interstate 35W runs north/south through the center of Bloomington. Interstate 494 runs east/west along Bloomington's northern edge, intersecting with Interstate 35W near the center of the city.

By public transit

There are no regional buses that have drop off points in Bloomington. The nearest Greyhound bus terminal is in downtown Minneapolis (see Minneapolis#By bus). The bus terminal is at 950 Hawthorne Ave (at 10th St, one block west of Hennepin) in downtown Minneapolis and is 4-5 blocks away from the light rail station, which you can take into Bloomington. If you need to get into Bloomington from anywhere else in the Twin Cities metro area, you can generally take a local bus or light rail line. Metro Transit is the public transit authority for the entire Twin Cities area, including Minneapolis, St. Paul and Bloomington. Their website has a great and easy to use route finder .

Bloomington has abundant public transit options and it is well connected to Minneapolis and St. Paul and other cities in the Twin Cities metro area. The south end of the METRO Blue Line light rail ends in Bloomington at the Mall of America, giving easy access from Bloomington to Downtown Minneapolis for a sports game, shopping or night out on the town. Within the city of Bloomington, there are a plethora of bus lines to get you just about anywhere that you need to go.
Bloomington's uses the same public transit system as the rest of the Twin Cities Metro area, including Minneapolis and St. Paul. This integrated system is called Metro Transit. Metro Transit fares are valid for 2 1/2 hours of unlimited transfers from first use and are valid on all Metro Transit buses and light Rail (excluding the Northstar Light Rail Line which requires an additional fare.)
Adult fares as of 2011 are $1.75 non rush/$2.25 rush ($2.25 for express busses during non rush hours and $3.00 for express buses during rush hour.) Discounts apply for senior citizens and children, as well as disabled veterans and people with disabilities. Up to 3 children under the age of 5 ride for free with a paid adult fare .

• Sea Life Minnesota Aquarium

  phone: +1 952 883-0202
  address: 120 East Broadway
  Visit the world's largest underground aquarium and see over 5,000 marine creatures! From 360 pound sea turtles to young sea horses, you will find everything you were hoping to see in the underwater adventure. Scuba Certified, try scuba diving with 9 foot sharks.

• Bloomington Civic Theatre

  phone: +1 952 563-8575
  address: 1800 W Old Shakopee Rd
  The Bloomington Civic Theatre offers a variety of plays and concerts in many different styles and genres. From musicals to comedies, symphony orchestra concerts to blue grass, you are sure to find something for everyone's taste. Looking for a night out on the town? Upgrade your ticket to a package that includes dinner at Kincaids for $31 additional.

• The Works Museum

  phone: +1 952 888-4262
  address: 9740 Grand Ave
  Children's engineering and design museum with hand-on exhibits.

• Hyland Hills Ski Area

  phone: +1 763 694-7800
  address: 8800 Chalet Rd
  With 175 feet of vertical, it may be the shortest ski resort you ever experience.

• Water Park of America

  address: 1700 E American Blvd
  "America's biggest indoor water park"

• Nickelodeon Universe

  address: In Mall of America
  "A large indoor amusement park in the middle of the Mall of America. It has 3 roller coasters in addition to many different rides."

• Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge

  phone: +1 952 854-5900
  address: 3815 American Blvd E
  The Minnesota Valley National Wildlife refuge is right on the Minnesota River and provides a sanctuary for wildlife and migrating birds. The Visitor Center offers fascinating interactive exhibits about the area's natural history. There are an abundance of hiking trails and the refuge offers educational programs as well as picnic grounds and cross country skiing in the winter. This is a great place to take the kids if they haven't burned off all of their excess energy at the Mall of America!

• Normandale Japanese Garden

  phone: +1 952 487-8200
  address: 9700 France Ave S
  This serene spot is next to Normandale Community College. It offers a restful spot to contemplate or walk, as well as a great location for weddings and photo shoots.

• Bloomington Arts Center

  phone: +1 952 563-8587
  address: 1800 W Old Shakopee Rd
  The Bloomington Arts Center is in the Bloomington Civic Plaza. It offers six exhibits a year as well as art classes for adults and children.

• Pinnacle Rock Climbing Tower located in REI

  address: 750 W American Blvd
  An indoor climbing tower for all ages and climbing abilities.

• Mall of America

  phone: +1 952 883-8800
  address: at the junction of Interstate 494 and Minnesota State Highway 77 (Cedar Avenue)
  Largest indoor shopping complex in the United States. A dizzying shopping experience. It has hundreds of stores, a LEGO play area, an indoor theme park, and a large aquarium. You can get there by light rail or bus.

• Chez Daniel

  phone: +1 952 888-4447
  address: 2800 W American Blvd
  Pricey but authentic French cuisine. Better than you'd expect from a hotel restaurant.

• Gyropolis

  phone: +1 952 646-2091
  address: 90th & Penn

• Joe Senser's

  phone: +1 952 835-1191
  address: 4217 W 80th St
  A bunch of big screen TVs makes this a good place for visiting sports fans to catch their hometown team's game or "the big game". Decent bar food, trivia and video games round out the experience.

• Surabhi Indian Cuisine

  phone: +1 952 746-3663
  address: 517 W 98th St
  A Bloomington favorite.

• Osaka

  phone: +1 952 884-3633
  address: 2631 Southtown Dr
  Minnesota's premier Japanese steak house.

• Kincaids

  address: 8400 Normandale Lake Boulevard
  A contemporary American Restaurant in West Bloomington near Normandale Lake (so you can walk off the great meal you just ate!) Kincaids offers upscale dining in an elegant atmosphere. Perfect for a night out on the town without going into Downtown! This restaurant has long been a Bloomington staple for prom kids and adults alike looking for a special night out. Kincaids has great food, good portions and an extensive wine list.

• Shantytown Bar and Grill

  phone: +1 952 881-7223
  address: 8512 Pillsbury Avenue South
  Bloomington's best kept secret. For those who like restaurants that are off the beaten path, this is your place! Located in an industrial park surrounded by a residential area in Bloomington, this restaurant offers a quirky, family atmosphere. They serve awesome gourmet burgers, onion rings and sandwiches. Has a full bar and great Happy Hours! It doesn't look like much on the outside, but once you get past the exterior and its location, the food is excellent. A great place to hang out with friends.

Mall of America

The Mall of America has several good eating options inside from fast food to upscale restaurants.

• Bubba Gump

  phone: +1 952 853-6600
  address: 396 South Avenue

• CRAVE

  phone: +1 952 854-5000
  address: 368 South Avenue

• Rainforest Cafe

  phone: +1 952 854-7500
  address: 102 South Avenue

• Tucci Bennuch

  phone: +1 952 853-0200
  address: 114 West Market

• Twin City Grill

  phone: +1 952 854-0200
  address: 130 North Garden

• Try the new Water Park of America looked adjacent to the Mall of America. Hotel features indoor water slides soaring 90 feet above the Twin Cities' skyline.

• Cambria Suites Hotel Bloomington

  phone: +1 952 854-0300
  address: 2870 Metro Dr

• Comfort Inn

  phone: +1 952 854-3400
  address: 1321 E 78th St

• Country Inn & Suites By Carlson Bloomington West

  phone: +1 952 831-9595
  address: 5120 W American Blvd
  Charming country style décor.

• Crowne Plaza Minneapolis Bloomington

  phone: +1 952 831-8000
  address: 5401 Green Valley Dr
  Hotel near the Twin Cities.

• Embassy Suites Hotel Bloomington

  phone: +1 952 884-4811
  address: 2800 W American Blvd

• Embassy Suites Hotel Minneapolis-Airport

  phone: +1 952 854-1000
  address: 7901 34th Ave S

• Hampton Inn Airport

  phone: +1 952 835-6643
  address: 4201 W American Blvd

• Hilton Garden Inn Bloomington

  phone: +1 812-331-1335
  address: 245 N College Ave

• Hilton Minneapolis/Bloomington

  phone: +1 952 893-9500
  address: 3900 W American Blvd
  Extensive nearby shopping and dining at the Mall of America or Southdale Center as well as quick, convenient access to the Twin Cities business community. Bloomington ChopHouse Restaurant and the Olive Lounge on premises.

• Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites

  phone: +1 952 854-1687
  address: 1601 E American Blvd
  Directly across from the indoor Water Park. Free 24-hour shuttle to and from the airport and the Mall of America. Indoor pool and spa, fitness room, free wifi, business center, free hot breakfast, free parking.

• Homewood Suites by Hilton Minneapolis-Mall Of America

  phone: +1 952 854-0900
  address: 2261 Killebrew Dr
  Across the street from the Mall of America.

• Le Bourget Aero Suites

  phone: +1 952 893-9999
  address: 7770 Johnson Ave S
  Complimentary wireless high speed internet access, a European style bistro & espresso bar, on site fitness center, heated indoor pool, and business center.

• Quality Inn and Suites

  phone: +1 952 854-5558
  address: 814 E American Blvd