Top Shops

Stroll our malls, boutiques and lifestyle centers to find clothes, shoes, gifts and more. And remember, tax-free shopping equals automatic savings!

Want to know the best thing about shopping in Minnesota? No sales tax on clothes or shoes! In fact, Minnesota is one of only a handful of states where this is true. Depending on the sales tax where you live, this could mean a savings of 7 percent or more. With this in mind, take advantage of every shopping destination Minneapolis Saint Paul has to offer—there are quite a few.

Everyone’s heard of Bloomington’s Mall of America, with its more than 520 stores and 4.2 million square feet of space complete with an indoor amusement park. And, really, what’s not to love? The mall, celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, truly has it all, from top-end designer shops to trendy local boutiques. But, don’t just stop here. If you can tear yourself away from the hours of entertainment at the mall, run across the street to IKEA. The Scandinavian-based store offers a wide assortment of home furnishings and accessories at affordable prices.

For more shopping adventures, take a tour of the enclosed skyways in downtown Minneapolis and shop around 3 million square feet of retail space just above street level. Or, take a stroll down Nicollet Mall, a pedestrian-friendly street lined with cafés, bookshops, clothing stores and jewelers. Continue down Nicollet to find the unique local shops in Gaviidae Common, City Center and in the IDS Center’s Crystal Court, not to mention the large Macy’s and Target stores. Don’t miss Saint Paul’s Grand Avenue, which features an abundance of classic and local shops along more than 25 city blocks leading to the Mississippi River. The charm of the historic neighborhood makes it easy to enjoy shopping and the beautiful Minnesota weather. Saint Paul’s intersection of Selby and Snelling avenues also offers sweet boutiques and fabulous vintage stores.

Just west of downtown Minneapolis, hip and trendy Uptown is an area filled to the brim with an eclectic selection of boutiques, eateries, tattoo parlors and bookshops. Start at Calhoun Square and walk along the blocks of stores on Hennepin Avenue for a day of shopping, browsing and dining. Or, check out the new Shops at West End in nearby St. Louis Park for some more top shops and tasty treats. Head north for great deals at Albertville Premium Outlets.

Mall of America isn’t the only mall of note in the area. Minnesota also has a claim to the oldest mall in the country. Edina’s Southdale Center holds this distinction, but don’t let the word “old” throw you. Home to more than 130 retailers, the mall maintains a firm grasp on high fashion and current trends—and it’s about to go through a major renovation. While you’re in the area, make sure to swing by the upscale Galleria mall or the intersection of 50th & France, where residential streets overflow with a variety of unique restaurants and boutiques.

No matter where you end up, every suburb, including Maple Grove, Roseville and Woodbury, boasts an extensive indoor mall or outdoor lifestyle center. The options are endless; you’ll wish you had time to hit them all.