Buca Di Beppo
Buca serves not real Italian, but immigrant Italian food (yes there is a difference). Very fun and lively place, great for big parties or just for those who like loud places. Food is great, and they also have OK wine - not much to chose from though. Tiramisu is to die for. For two or three people it can get a little pricey because food is served family style, but I find this restaurant quite inexpensive for large parties (per person).
PROS: good food
CONS: very loud place
Cafe Lurcat
Lurcat didn't impress me at all. It lacks any kind of character (at least the restaurant part of it), doesn't have distinctive menu or great service - basically the restaurant has nothing one would expect of a place this expensive. From the moment we ordered, I couldn't wait to leave. Tables are too close together so it's really difficult to walk between them without hitting people. I waited over 5 minutes for my dirty plate to be taken away, though I could hear our waiter talking to his trainee (two feet away from our table) about how not busy it is and how they're not going to make any money that night. NOT coming back.
PROS: location
CONS: service is disappointing
Camp Snoopy
Camp Snoopy is fun for kids and because it in Mall of America, you dont have to kill entire day if your family wants to go. Its also nice that you can pay per ride (unlike Valleyfair). Though for myself, I found that unlimited ride wristbands work better you can get there in the morning, go on some rides, shop a little, go on some more rides, have a snack at a food court repeat. There are frireworks on the 4th of July yep, indoors. Oh, and the wave... how fun walking around the mall in wet clothes.
PROS: open year-round - in Minnesota!
CONS: pricey
Minnesota Zoo
Minnesota Zoo is one of the those places entire family can enjoy and never get tired of it. I especially like indoor exhibits, you can spend hours just watching monkeys! There is even an exhibit of nocturnal animals, so one can see them while they are active Minnesota Zoo is the only place Ive seen it so far. Definitely go - and come back again and again, one day is not enough to see everything.
Science Museum Of Minnesota
I would recommend Science Museum of Minnesota to both children and adults. Granted, most exhibits are catering to children but adults will find plenty of things to do and learn as well. Plus, the museum changes its future exhibits often enough, so its never really the same place again. I especially love their musical stairs what fun to jump on when no one is watching.
Vanderbloom Incorporated
I ordered majority of flowers for my wedding at Vanderbloom (in bulk) - and I couldnt be happier. The flowers were much nicer than what my professional florist have used - and at fraction of the cost. Vanderbloom staff was so helpful and patient, gave advice, called with reminders and even offered us to double-wrap our bulk flowers to carry to the car since it was raining outside. Superb service. What keeps me from giving them another star is the fact that they were not able to order one of the fillers for me and didnt warn me ahead of time, but that was not a huge deal.
Bobby Bead
Bobby Bead has a great variety of beads in all shapes and colors; most likely you will find approximately what you were looking for. Its a good idea to have a project in your mind already rather than going just to look too much temptation to resist. The only thing is that their pricing does not seem that great to me but its not terrible either. Check it out yourself.
LEGO Imagination Center
Lego Center is fun for entire family provided your children are into that kind of things. Its one of the few places in Mall of America that not only entertains, but develops kids imagination and challenges their skills - and does it in a fun way. Those huge statutes of dinosaurs made of Lego are a must see for adults also, very impressive.
Stems & Vines
Stems and Vines store is a beautifully decorated place to visit and browse, youll never want to leave (I go to Minneapolis store, but they have something like 8 other locations). Staff loves what they are doing and it shows. Flowers are not cheap, but here you get what you pay for quality and dependability. I just wish they were open on Sunday.
First Avenue & 7th St Entry
I used to like First Avenue much better just a few years ago. They dont seem to have shows and crowds as good anymore not sure if its related to the reorganization they had or not. Its never been a nice and classy place, but it was cool. Im hoping that First Avenue is just having a bad couple of years and that it will get back on track again that would be a pity if this place went out of business.