Friday Activities

Shopping

Mall of America® and SEA LIFE Minnesota Aquarium

Total time: 1:45 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.: 2 hours total that can be split between the aquarium and the mall

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Note: Travel time for this activity is included in the timeframe listed above. Buses will leave promptly at 2:00 p.m. to arrive at the Mall of America by 2:30 p.m. Buses are scheduled to return to the Minneapolis Hilton around 5:00 p.m., which conflicts with the Community Expo scheduled from 4:15 – 5:30 p.m.

About the Aquarium:
From sharks to sea turtles and jellyfish to seahorses, SEA LIFE Minnesota Aquarium showcases thousands of sea creatures underneath the Mall of America, giving visitors a new level of excitement and understanding of the world’s oceans. Many of the aquarium’s creatures are on the endangered list — some have been rescued and cannot be released into the wild or have been born and bred as part of SEA LIFE Conservation Projects.

PAEA members will have the opportunity to take the Behind-the-Scenes Tour to experience what it would be like to work as an aquarist at SEA LIFE Minnesota by seeing aquarium staff in action. You can look in at the top of the tunnel exhibits and see the animals up close and personal! By traveling behind the scenes of the 300-foot-long aquarium tunnel, guests can see in person how big a 385-pound loggerhead sea turtle or a 300-pound shark is, and see first-hand how long a 14-foot sawfish stretches from the tip of his saw to the end of his tail! On the tour you’ll also visit:

• Water-Quality Lab: Discover medical treatments performed on rescued and rehabilitated marine life, as well as how aquarists maintain the 1.3 million gallons of water in the exhibits.
• Food Prep Kitchen: Learn how and what the 10,000 animals that call SEA LIFE home are fed, as well as how aquarists keep track of the animals’ daily feeding schedules and diets.
• On Deck: Explore creatures that are off-exhibit. These animals may be new arrivals, taking a vacation from the general public exhibit areas, or receiving veterinary medicine.

Visit their website for more information.

About the Mall of America:
Since opening its doors in 1992, Mall of America has revolutionized the shopping experience and become a leader in retail, entertainment, and attractions. Mall of America is one of the top tourist destinations in the country, as well as one of the most recognizable brands.

The Mall has also earned a national reputation for entertaining guests. From musical acts to celebrity book signings to fashion shows, Mall of America is the Hollywood of the Midwest. Along with coverage in many national and local broadcast and print media outlets, the Mall has been featured on the Discovery Channel, Travel Channel, and TLC. By hosting more than 400 events each year, the Mall has become the place where fans can meet and greet their favorite celebrities or take part in interactive, one-of-a-kind events.

Visit the website for more information.