Out-of-state visitors will be delighted to hear that there is no sales tax on clothing in Minnesota.
1. Mall of America
Depending on how you measure it, this is the biggest mall in the country. The Mall of America, or MOA to the locals, has three levels, with hundreds of stores. Shops range from huge department stores to independent boutiques. The Mall of America offers all kinds of entertainment too. There's a theme park, dinosaurs, an aquarium, lego, and more at the Mall of America.2. Rosedale Center, Roseville
Just north of St. Paul in the city of Roseville, the Rosedale Center has plenty of stores to keep mall rats happy for hours. Parking is usually easier than at Mall of America and it has many of the same stores, so it's my choice when I need to go to a chain store.3. Edina
Edina, a city bordering southwest Minneapolis, is a shopper's paradise. Dedicated shoppers could happily spend a whole day in Edina.
The attractive 50th and France shopping district, centered on the intersection of 50th Street and France Avenue, is packed with upscale independent stores, restaurants and bars. The Edina Galleria is an indoor mall with many designer stores and boutiques.
The Southdale Mall is perhaps interesting as it was the nation's first indoor mall, but the shopping is not that interesting: the mall offers all the usual chain stores.
4. Woodbury
To the east of the Twin Cities metro area, the suburb of Woodbury has the densest concentration of big-box stores. Tamarack Village, at the intersection of Radio Drive and Tamarack Road has electronics, food and department stores. Woodbury Lakes has clothing and lifestyle stores.5. Nicollet Mall, Downtown Minneapolis
Downtown Minneapolis' shopping is centered on the pedestrianized Nicollet Mall. A varied selection of independent and chain stores, mainly lifestyle and fashion stores, inhabit the lower levels of the skyscrapers, and with many gathered inside art deco mall Gaviidae Common.The flagship Macy's store is at 700 Nicollet Mall. (Note to visitors: many locals still refer to this store as Dayton's, after Macy's long-gone predecessor.)
Lovers of designer wares will be delighted to find Neiman Marcus on Nicollet Avenue, and lovers of designer bargains will be delighted to find Off 5th Avenue right next door, selling discounted merchandise from Saks Fifth Avenue.
6. Grand Avenue, St. Paul
Grand Avenue has many unique independent shops. Classic and high fashion stores, plus housewares and lifestyle stores line the avenue, with the most concentrated shopping area in the mile between Dale Street and Lexington Avenue.7. Stillwater
Downtown Stillwater is the place to go for antiquing in the Twin Cities. As well as antique and collectibles stores, there are also many interesting stores, galleries, fashion boutiques and curious little shops make Stillwater home.Stillwater is in the beautiful St. Croix valley, so if you drive out, leave some time to enjoy the scenery as well as the shops.
8. White Bear Lake
White Bear Lake has a quaint little downtown with several independent stores.9. Mall of St. Paul/St. Paul Retro Loop
For antiques, collectibles, vintage and retro, head to St. Paul. The St. Paul Retro Loop of vintage and retro stores intertwines with the Mall of St. Paul, a cluster of antique stores.The Mall of St. Paul is a group of antique stores at the intersection of Selby Avenue and Fairview Avenue.
Close by are three vintage clothing stores in the Retro Loop. Lula's, Go Vintage, and Up Six are at the intersection of Snelling Avenue and Selby Avenue.
Hop in your car to visit the other Retro Loop stores. Vintage and retro homewares are for sale at Swank, Classic Retro and Succotash, all on or near University Avenue.
10. Uptown Minneapolis
The Twin Cities' coolest shopping destination. Once a edgy neighborhood of independent stores, chain stores have recently been opening in Uptown. But Uptown Minneapolis is still one of the best places to take your credit card.Calhoun Square, an indoor mall, is at the heart of Uptown's shopping at Hennepin Avenue and Lake Street. More stores, bars and reataurants line Hennepin Avenue, Lake Street, and Lyndale Avenue.
