Discover the beauty of the 10 biggest malls in the USA. From the sheer scale of the Mall of America to the opulence of Aventura Mall and the captivating theme park American Dream, discover the retail giants that are redefining the shopping and entertainment experience. Explore these retail giants that provide a shopping and leisure experience like no other. A timeless mix of retail stores and tempting restaurants, spending time in malls has always been a favorite American pastime.
Shopping towns across the United States are expanding and improving beyond just offering retail therapy and shopping sprees. In addition to an ever-growing array of retail stores, they now include shopping malls with a variety of entertainment options. From New York to California and from luxury boutiques to budget brands, these massive malls are where shopping dreams come true. Lace up your comfiest sneakers; these shopping centers will challenge even the most demanding customers. Keep reading to find out where you can shop until you hit the biggest malls in the USA.
The United States boasts some of the largest and most extravagant malls in the world, providing a paradise for shopaholics and a haven for those seeking leisure. These mega malls are more than just malls; they are thriving ecosystems of luxury brands, entertainment venues, gourmet dining, and family-friendly attractions.
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Mega Malls: Unveiling the 10 Biggest Shopping Paradises in the USA
From coast to coast, these top 10 biggest malls redefine the shopping experience, attracting millions of visitors each year. In this article, we’ll take a virtual tour through these retail giants, discovering what makes them so extraordinary and why they are must-visit destinations for locals and travelers alike.
1. Mall of America, Bloomington, Minnesota 5,600,000 square feet
- The Mall of America is the largest in the United States, with 5.6 million total square feet.
- It has 2.87 million square feet of retail space and 555 stores.
- The mall employs over 12,000 workers
- It is the most visited shopping mall in the world, with more than 40 million visitors annually
- The walking distance around one level of Mall of America is 1.15 miles
The Mall of America opened in 1992 and is the largest shopping center in the country, with more than 5.6 million square feet. Located outside of Minneapolis, the Mall of America attracts 40 million visitors each year to its more than 520 stores and restaurants. The Mall of America also boasts non-shopping attractions, including a Nickelodeon theme park, an immersive Crayola experience, an aquarium, and a flight simulator.
Mall of America owner Triple Five Group has used the center as collateral for its next US megamall, the American Dream, and lenders including JPMorgan reportedly seized a minority stake in the Mall of America in 2021 amid the American Dream’s financial woes (the biggest malls in the USA).
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2. American Dream, East Rutherford, New Jersey, 3,000,000 square feet
- The American Dream Mall is a shopping and entertainment hub featuring an impressive 450+ shops and lots of other fun experiences.
- Spread across 3 million square feet, the complex is poised to welcome 40 million visitors annually.
- According to Forbes, American Dream had $304.7 million in sales at its stores and attractions in 2021.
The American Dream, located at the Meadowlands Sports Complex in New Jersey, is second only to its sister mall, Mall of America, in terms of square footage. American Dream, which is roughly 3 million square feet, currently houses more than 100 stores, including Apple, Saint Laurent, and Saks Fifth Avenue, according to its website.
But the mall considers itself more than just a shopping destination. The American Dream is home to the nation’s largest theme park and largest indoor water park, a giant Ferris wheel, indoor miniature golf, a mirror maze, an ice rink, indoor skiing, and a wave pool.
The American Dream was a multibillion-dollar project more than 20 years in the making, but it opened in October 2019, just months before the pandemic hit and closed malls across the country. Since then, the mall has had trouble paying off its debts. In early March, the Borough of East Rutherford filed a lawsuit against the mall’s owner, Triple Five Group, for refusing to pay more than $7.5 million.
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3. Aventura Mall, Aventura, Florida 2,800,000 square feet
- Aventura Mall is the third-largest mall in America, with over 2.7 million square feet of retail space.
- It has more than 300 stores and restaurants.
- The mall attracts over 28 million visitors annually.
Aventura Mall in South Florida is 2.8 million square feet and is home to more than 300 retailers, including Louis Vuitton, Hermés, Lacoste, Nike, and more. Located between Miami and Fort Lauderdale, the mall is home to more than 20 works of art, including the Rainbow Valley interactive playground for children and the Aventura Slide Tower, a 93-foot-tall working slide created by artist Carsten Holler. Aventura Mall is owned by Turnberry, which also operates two other malls in Florida.
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4. South Coast Plaza, Costa Mesa, California, 2,800,000 square feet
- South Coast Plaza is a luxury shopping center with over 250 retailers and restaurants.
- The mall has a total retail space of 2.8 million square feet.
- South Coast Plaza attracts over 22 million visitors annually.
South Coast Plaza, located in Orange County, California, is home to more than two dozen restaurants and 250 boutiques, including luxury retailers such as Gucci, Dior, and Balenciaga.
The 2.8 million-square-foot mall currently sits where the Segerstrom family once grew lima beans, a business the family built into an agricultural empire. Segerstroms later opened South Coast Plaza in March 1967, with 70 stores, including Sears as a major tenant. The mall celebrated its 55th anniversary in 2022. According to its website, more than 20 million people visit South Coast Plaza each year.
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5. King of Prussia Mall, King of Prussia, Pennsylvania 2,793,200 square feet
- King of Prussia Mall is the largest shopping mall on the East Coast, with over 450 stores and restaurants.
- The mall has a total retail space of 2.9 million square feet.
- King of Prussia Mall attracts over 22 million visitors annually.
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6. Destiny USA—Syracuse, New York—2,400,000 square feet
- Destiny USA is the largest shopping center in New York State, with over 250 retailers and restaurants.
- The mall has a total retail space of 2.4 million square feet.
- Destiny USA attracts over 26 million visitors annually.
Destiny USA, owned by Pyramid Management Group, opened in October 1990 in Syracuse, New York. At 2.4 million square feet, the mall houses 250 stores, including restaurants for customers to visit. There are also more than a dozen entertainment options inside the mall, from laser tag to a mirror maze and its famous antique carousel.
Twenty-six million guests visit Destiny USA each year, according to its website. After a long day of shopping, the new Embassy Suites by Hilton Hotel in the mall is also available.
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7. Sawgrass Mills, Sunrise, Florida 2,370,610 square feet
- Sawgrass Mills is the largest outlet and value retail shopping destination in the United States, with more than 350 stores and restaurants.
- The mall has a total retail space of 2.4 million square feet.
- Sawgrass Mills attracts over 26 million visitors annually.
Debuting in October 1990, Sawgrass Mills Mall in Sunrise, Florida, boasts a unique alligator design and holds the title of the largest single-story mall in the US at 2.3 million square feet.
Owned by Simon Property Group, it’s a shopper’s paradise with over 300 outlets, from luxury brands like Balenciaga and Michael Kors to popular names like Adidas and Nike. Not to be outdone, the Miami Herald reported six new stores opened in 2023, solidifying its place among the biggest malls in the USA.
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8. The Galleria in Houston: 2,298,000 square feet
- The Galleria is Houston’s largest shopping center, with over 400 stores and restaurants.
- The mall has a total retail space of 2.4 million square feet.
- The Galleria attracts over 30 million visitors annually.
The Galleria in Houston, Texas, opened in November 1970 and welcomes 30 million visitors annually. The mall is modeled after the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele in Milan. As such, it is home to many luxury retailers, including Fendi, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Prada, and Versace.
In total, there are 319 stores and more than 60 dining options for customers to choose from. Owned by Simon Property Group, the mall has 2.4 million square feet of leasable retail space.
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9. Tysons Corner Center, Tysons Corner, Virginia, 2,500,000 square feet
- Tysons Corner Center is one of the largest malls on the East Coast, with over 300 stores and restaurants.
- The mall has a total retail space of 2.4 million square feet.
- Tysons Corner Center attracts over 25 million visitors annually.
Tysons, also known as Tysons Corner, is a census-designated place (CDP) in Fairfax County, Virginia, United States, formed by the corner of Chain Bridge Road and Leesburg Pike. Located in Northern Virginia between the community of McLean and the city of Vienna along the Capital Beltway, it is in the Washington metropolitan area.
Shopaholics rejoice! Tysons boasts two of the biggest malls in the USA, Tysons Corner Center and Tysons Galleria. But beyond retail therapy, this dynamic hub is the beating heart of business in Fairfax County. Major corporations like Intelsat, Alarm.com, Booz Allen Hamilton, Capital One, DXC Technology, Freddie Mac, Gannett, Hilton Worldwide, and Tegna have set up camp here. Despite its unincorporated status, Tysons functions as a central business district and a regional commercial center, often described as a quintessential example of an edge city. With a population of 26,374 as of the 2020 census, Tysons offers a unique blend of shopping paradise and corporate powerhouse.
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10. Westfield Garden State Plaza, Paramus, New Jersey, 2,118,718 square feet
- Westfield Garden State Plaza is one of the largest malls in New Jersey, with more than 300 stores and restaurants.
- The mall has a total retail space of about 2.1 million square feet.
- Westfield Garden State Plaza attracts over 20 million visitors annually.
Garden State Plaza (officially Westfield Garden State Plaza) is a shopping center located in Paramus, in Bergen County, in the US state of New Jersey. It is owned and managed by Paris-based property management company Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield and is located at the intersection of Route 4 and Route 17 near the Garden State Parkway, about 15 miles (24 km) west of the New York City borough of Manhattan.
Opened in 1957 as New Jersey’s first suburban mall, it has 300 stores and 2,118,718 square feet of leasable area, qualifying it as a super-regional mall by International Council of Shopping Centers standards.
While not cracking the list of the biggest malls in the USA, Garden State Plaza proves it punches above its weight. In 2013, the mall boasted sales of $500 per square foot, a whopping $320 above the national average, solidifying its position as one of the most profitable shopping centers in the country. A 2018 CNBC study ranked Westfield Garden State Plaza ninth in the nation based on sales per square foot, reaching an impressive $950. However, like most malls, many retail stores within Garden State Plaza close on Sundays due to blue laws. Additionally, a recent regulation, implemented in April 2023, requires minors under 18 to be supervised by an adult over 21 on Friday and Saturday evenings.
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FAQs on the biggest malls in the USA
Q: Which is the biggest mall in the US?
The Mall of America in Bloomington, Minnesota, holds the title of the largest mall in the US, covering an astounding 5.6 million square feet.
Q: What makes the American Dream unique?
The American Dream in East Rutherford, New Jersey, features a combination of retail, an indoor theme park, a water park, and an ice rink, making it an exciting entertainment destination.
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Q: Is Aventura Mall good for luxury shopping?
Yes, Aventura Mall in Aventura, Florida, is renowned for its luxury retail offerings with luxury brands such as Louis Vuitton, Gucci, and Prada.
Q: How many stores are there in the King of Prussia Mall?
The King of Prussia Mall in Pennsylvania houses over 400 stores that offer a diverse range of shopping options.
Q: What attractions does Destiny USA offer besides shopping?
Destiny USA in Syracuse, New York, offers visitors exciting indoor activities, including an indoor ropes course, a go-kart track, and an amusement park.
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Q: Can I find outlet stores in Sawgrass Mills?
Yes, Sawgrass Mills in Sunrise, Florida, is the largest outlet and value retail shopping destination in the US, with over 350 stores offering discounts on a variety of brands.
Q: What makes The Galleria in Houston, Texas, different?
The Galleria features a mix of luxury retailers and popular brands that cater to customers looking for the best fashion and lifestyle products.
Q: Are there luxury boutiques in Tysons Corner Center?
Yes, Tysons Corner Center in Virginia offers several luxury boutiques in addition to regular stores that offer a variety of shopping options.
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Q: What types of stores can I find at Westfield Garden State Plaza?
Westfield Garden State Plaza in Paramus, New Jersey, offers a mix of high-end boutiques, general stores, and a variety of dining options.
Q: Are there any entertainment options at the Mall of America?
Yes, the Mall of America offers a variety of entertainment attractions, including the Nickelodeon Universe indoor theme park and the Sea Life Minnesota Aquarium.
Conclusion
The USA is home to some of the largest and most impressive shopping destinations in the world. The top 10 biggest malls in the USA, like Mall of America, American Dream, and King of Prussia Mall, are shopaholics’ paradises and entertainment wonderlands. These malls offer a wide range of retail stores, dining options, and exciting attractions, making them iconic destinations for luxury, style, and fun. Whether you love shopping, trying out delicious food, or seeking thrilling experiences, these malls have something for everyone. They are must-visit places for both tourists and locals, providing unforgettable experiences for all.
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