25 Best Shopping Malls in the USA: A Shopper's Guide

The best shopping malls in the USA include Mall of America in Minnesota, American Dream in New Jersey, South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa, King of Prussia near Philadelphia and Sawgrass Mills near Fort Lauderdale, and the biggest have grown well beyond rows of department stores. The biggest ones hold theme parks, aquariums, ice rinks and indoor ski slopes, while the most stylish are open-air villages with palm trees, valet parking and the flagship boutiques of every major fashion house. This guide picks 25 American malls worth planning a day around, from Mall of America in Minnesota to tax-free outlets in Oregon and Delaware, and gives each one the practical details visitors need: where it is, what kind of shopping it does best, how to get there without a car where possible, and the catch.

Planning more of the trip? Start with our guide to the most famous landmarks in the USA.

Shopping is one of the main reasons many international visitors build extra days into a US trip, especially for brands that cost more at home. If you are planning the wider journey, our guide to the world's best shopping cities compares New York and Los Angeles with Dubai, Paris and Tokyo, and our US night markets guide covers the street-food and craft side of American shopping.

How we chose these 25 malls: We looked for malls that justify a special trip for a visitor: the largest and most varied centres, the strongest luxury line-ups, the best outlet malls for discount hunting, and the places where the setting or the attractions matter as much as the stores. We spread the list across regions so it works whichever gateway city you fly into. Store line-ups, attractions and opening hours change often, so check the mall's own website before you go (list checked October 2026).

• Malls reviewed: 25
• States covered: 15
• States with no statewide sales tax: 5
• Stores at Mall of America: 520+

Quick comparison of the best shopping malls in the USA

Narrow it down by style and region, then read the full entry below.

25 best shopping malls in the USA: full guide

Mall of America

For the biggest experience in Minnesota, and a family day out with a theme park, Mall of America is the mall Americans mean when they say "the big one". It has more than 520 stores on four levels, and its centre is a seven-acre indoor theme park, Nickelodeon Universe, with roller coasters and rides that run all year. There is also a SEA LIFE aquarium with a walk-through underwater tunnel, a mini-golf course, a cinema and dozens of restaurants.

For visitors, the biggest practical advantage is location. The METRO Blue Line light rail runs straight from Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport to a station at the mall, so travellers with a long layover can shop without a car. Minnesota does not charge sales tax on most clothing and shoes, which makes the price on the tag closer to what you pay at the till.

• Area: Bloomington, beside MSP Airport
• Price range: $ to $$$
• Best time: Weekday mornings
• Getting there: METRO Blue Line light rail

Families and layover shoppers get the most from it. Buy ride wristbands online to skip the queue at the theme park.

American Dream

No US mall has more attractions than American Dream, in New Jersey's Meadowlands sports complex, which puts entertainment first. Inside are the DreamWorks Water Park, a Nickelodeon Universe theme park, Big SNOW with a real indoor ski and snowboard slope, an ice rink and an aquarium, plus a large shopping wing with luxury and high-street brands. Recent industry rankings list it as the largest US mall by leasable area.

It sits about 10 miles from Midtown Manhattan, with buses from the Port Authority Bus Terminal. The catch is cost: attractions are ticketed separately and a full family day adds up quickly. Bergen County's "blue laws" restrict most retail on Sundays, and the mall's Sunday store openings have been the subject of a legal fight with the neighbouring borough (as of late 2025). Check what is open before a Sunday visit.

• Area: Meadowlands, East Rutherford
• Price range: $$ to $$$ (attractions extra)
• Best time: Weekdays outside school holidays
• Getting there: Bus from Port Authority, Manhattan

Families visiting New York should book attraction tickets online for timed entry and better prices.

King of Prussia

East Coast luxury and huge choice meet in Pennsylvania at King of Prussia. About 20 miles north-west of central Philadelphia, it is one of the largest malls in the country and the strongest all-round shopping centre on the East Coast outside New York. Its two former buildings are now linked by a single connector, and the tenant list runs from department stores and mass-market chains to Louis Vuitton, Hermès, Gucci and other luxury houses.

Pennsylvania exempts most clothing from sales tax, which matters when you are buying a winter coat or a suit. The mall is huge and the parking areas are spread out, so note where you leave the car. Philadelphia's SEPTA buses reach it, but most visitors drive or take a ride-hail from the city.

• Area: King of Prussia, Montgomery County
• Price range: $ to $$$$
• Best time: Weekday afternoons
• Getting there: Car or ride-hail from Philadelphia

Plan a full day of luxury and high-street shopping here, and remember that clothing is tax-exempt in Pennsylvania.

Aventura Mall

A Miami favourite known for luxury and public art, Aventura Mall sits between Miami and Fort Lauderdale. It is South Florida's busiest upscale mall and a magnet for shoppers from Latin America and the Caribbean. The luxury wing holds the big Paris and Milan names, the older wings cover every American high-street brand, and a large art programme is spread through the building and the grounds. Its corkscrew Aventura Slide Tower, a 93-foot spiral slide, is the photo everyone takes.

The mall is close to the beaches of Sunny Isles and Hallandale, so it works as a rainy-day plan on a beach holiday. Parking fills on weekends and during the December holidays, so go early or use a ride-hail.

• Area: Aventura, Miami-Dade County
• Price range: $ to $$$$
• Best time: Weekday mornings, summer afternoons
• Getting there: Car or ride-hail from Miami Beach

On a Miami holiday, combine it with an afternoon at Sunny Isles Beach.

Sawgrass Mills

Florida's outlet king, Sawgrass Mills, is the biggest outlet mall in the United States and the largest mall of any kind in Florida. More than 350 stores sit in a long single-level loop, with an open-air luxury outlet section called The Colonnade Outlets where designer labels sell past-season stock at lower prices.

This is where many visitors to Miami and Fort Lauderdale buy sportswear, jeans, handbags and suitcases. Bring comfortable shoes: walking the full loop is a long trip. Prices are already marked down, but outlet stores often run extra coupons, so check the mall's visitor centre or website for a savings booklet before you start.

• Area: Sunrise, west of Fort Lauderdale
• Price range: $ to $$ (outlet prices)
• Best time: Weekday mornings
• Getting there: Car; tour shuttles from Miami hotels

Serious discount hunters should bring an empty suitcase and check your airline's baggage allowance before you buy.

The Galleria

Ice skating under glass is the Texas twist at Houston's Galleria, a luxury mall in the Uptown district. It was modelled on Milan's Galleria Vittorio Emanuele, and its glass-roofed central atrium still holds a full-size ice rink, open all year in a city where summer temperatures stay in the 90s °F. It is the largest mall in Texas, with luxury boutiques, department stores, two hotels and a long list of restaurants.

Uptown traffic is heavy at rush hour and on weekends, and Houston's public transport is limited, so most visitors drive or take a ride-hail. Texas charges sales tax on clothing, unlike several states in this list.

• Area: Uptown, Westheimer Road
• Price range: $$ to $$$$
• Best time: Weekday afternoons, summer heat escape
• Getting there: Car or ride-hail

Watch skaters from the upper level while you rest your feet.

South Coast Plaza

In Orange County, South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa is the luxury capital of Southern California shopping. It has one of the deepest line-ups of designer boutiques in any American mall, plus department stores and a strong restaurant list. Many visitors from Asia and the Middle East come specifically for it, and the mall runs concierge and personal-shopping services aimed at international guests.

It sits between Los Angeles and San Diego, about 40 miles south of downtown LA, so plan it as a day out with a beach stop in Newport Beach or Laguna. Traffic on the I-405 freeway can double the drive time.

• Area: Costa Mesa, Orange County
• Price range: $$$ to $$$$
• Best time: Weekday mornings
• Getting there: Car via I-405

You get designer boutiques here without the crowds of Rodeo Drive. Ask at the concierge desk about visitor services.

Tysons Corner Center

Metro-connected and near DC, Tysons Corner Center in Northern Virginia is the main shopping mall for the Washington area, full of mainstream stores and a short ride from the capital. It has a broad mix of department stores and chains, an Apple store, restaurants and a cinema, and it sits next to the separate, more upscale Tysons Galleria.

Its great advantage for visitors is the Washington Metro Silver Line, which stops at Tysons station with a walkway into the mall, so a museum-heavy DC trip can include an easy shopping afternoon without a car.

• Area: Tysons, Fairfax County
• Price range: $ to $$$
• Best time: Weekday evenings
• Getting there: Metro Silver Line to Tysons

Walk across to Tysons Galleria for the luxury brands.

Ala Moana Center

Hawaii does open-air island shopping at Ala Moana Center, between Waikiki and downtown Honolulu, one of the largest open-air shopping centres in the world. Its covered walkways mix big luxury names with Hawaiian brands, surf shops and a large food hall, and its centre stage hosts free Hawaiian music and hula performances.

It faces Ala Moana Beach Park across the road, so you can shop in the morning and swim in the afternoon. Expect island prices: many everyday goods cost more in Hawaii than on the mainland because almost everything is shipped in. Our Honolulu attractions guide covers what else to do nearby.

• Area: Ala Moana, Honolulu
• Price range: $ to $$$$
• Best time: Late afternoon, before sunset
• Getting there: TheBus or a walk from Waikiki

Come here when you want local Hawaiian brands alongside the global labels.

The Grove

LA lifestyle and dining define The Grove, an open-air pedestrian shopping street built to look like an old American town, with a green trolley car, a dancing-water fountain and a large cinema. The stores are mainstream and mid-to-upper range, with little luxury, but the setting makes it one of the most visited shopping spots in Los Angeles.

It joins the Original Farmers Market, which has been trading at Third and Fairfax since the 1930s and is full of food stalls, bakeries and small grocers. Weekends are crowded, and parking in the garage is paid after a short free period. Come for an evening meal and a walk under the lights.

• Area: Fairfax District, Los Angeles
• Price range: $$ to $$$
• Best time: Weekday evenings
• Getting there: Car, ride-hail or Metro bus

For an easy LA evening, shop first and then eat at the Farmers Market next door.

Westfield Century City

Upscale shopping on the California Westside means Westfield Century City, on the Westside of Los Angeles close to Beverly Hills, is a sleek open-air mall with landscaped walkways, upscale fashion, a large food court with proper sit-down options and a premium cinema. It feels calmer and more polished than The Grove.

It is a good choice when you want designer and premium-casual brands but find Rodeo Drive's standalone boutiques intimidating. Getting across Los Angeles takes time at any hour, so pair it with nearby Beverly Hills.

• Area: Century City, near Beverly Hills
• Price range: $$ to $$$$
• Best time: Weekday lunchtime
• Getting there: Car, ride-hail or Metro bus

Afterwards, walk or drive the short distance to Rodeo Drive afterwards.

The Shops at Hudson Yards

Manhattan's vertical, upscale mall comes with views. The Shops and Restaurants at Hudson Yards fill a glass-walled, multi-level building on Manhattan's far West Side. The line-up mixes fashion brands, homeware and well-known restaurants, and the complex connects to the Edge observation deck and the High Line park.

For a New York visitor, the appeal is that everything is under one roof in a city where most shopping is on the street. The 34 St–Hudson Yards station on the 7 subway line is at the door.

• Area: Hudson Yards, West Side Manhattan
• Price range: $$ to $$$$
• Best time: Weekday mornings
• Getting there: Subway 7 to 34 St–Hudson Yards

It combines well with the High Line walk. Start at the north end of the park and finish here.

Westfield World Trade Center

This New York transit-hub mall sits inside the Oculus. Westfield World Trade Center runs through the white, rib-winged Oculus building designed by Santiago Calatrava, the transport hub at the rebuilt World Trade Center site in Lower Manhattan. Shops line the main hall and the underground passages that link subway lines, PATH trains to New Jersey and the office towers.

Many visitors come for the architecture first and the shopping second. It is a few minutes' walk from the 9/11 Memorial, so it fits easily into a morning downtown.

• Area: Lower Manhattan
• Price range: $ to $$$
• Best time: Weekend mornings, when commuters are gone
• Getting there: Subway or PATH to World Trade Center

Photograph the Oculus hall from the upper balcony.

The Forum Shops at Caesars

Roman fantasy is the theme in Nevada at The Forum Shops at Caesars Palace, a luxury Roman street scene under a painted sky that slowly shifts from dawn to dusk, with fountains, statues and marble floors. Sales per square foot rank near the top nationally, and the luxury line-up reflects it, alongside mainstream fashion and restaurants.

Las Vegas shopping is about atmosphere as much as stores, and this is the most theatrical example. It is open late, which suits the city's night-owl rhythm. Our things to do in Las Vegas guide covers the rest of the Strip.

• Area: Caesars Palace, the Strip
• Price range: $$ to $$$$
• Best time: Late evening
• Getting there: Walk along the Strip

Visit after dinner, when the Strip is at its liveliest.

Grand Canal Shoppes

Gondolas run indoors at Grand Canal Shoppes, a themed entertainment mall inside The Venetian and The Palazzo that recreates Venice with canals, bridges, a painted sky and a replica of St Mark's Square. Singing gondoliers row visitors along the indoor canal, and street performers appear in the square through the day.

The shops are a mix of mid-range and luxury, and the restaurants are strong. Gondola rides are ticketed and queues are long at weekends, so book early in the day.

• Area: The Venetian, the Strip
• Price range: $$ to $$$$ (gondolas extra)
• Best time: Weekday morning for gondolas
• Getting there: Walk along the Strip

Couples and first-time Las Vegas visitors should book the gondola ride before you start shopping.

Fashion Show

The Strip's mainstream department-store mall is Fashion Show, opposite the Wynn, the biggest conventional mall in Las Vegas, with several department stores and the high-street brands that the themed casino malls do not carry.

It is the practical choice when you need sensible clothes, trainers or a phone charger at normal prices. Its huge canopy outside, nicknamed "The Cloud", is a Strip landmark in its own right.

• Area: Mid-Strip, opposite Wynn
• Price range: $ to $$$
• Best time: Weekday afternoons
• Getting there: Walk along the Strip

Everyday shopping in Las Vegas at standard prices happens here.

NorthPark Center

Art and luxury shopping share the space at NorthPark Center in Dallas, Texas, which is known as much for its art as its shops. The owning family has long displayed sculptures and paintings along its bright, quiet corridors, and a landscaped central park with trees and ducks gives the mall an unusual calm.

The store line-up is upscale, with luxury boutiques and department stores, and the mood is quiet, like a museum. The DART light rail Park Lane station is nearby, though most visitors drive.

• Area: North Dallas, near Park Lane
• Price range: $$ to $$$$
• Best time: Weekday mornings
• Getting there: Car or DART rail to Park Lane

Pick up the art guide at the information desk.

Lenox Square

Atlanta's main mall, mixing mainstream and luxury, is Lenox Square in the Buckhead district of Georgia. It has been the city's leading mall for decades. It combines department stores, luxury boutiques and every major chain, and the even more upscale Phipps Plaza sits across the road.

The MARTA rail Lenox station is a short walk away, which makes it reachable from Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport by train without a car. Buckhead has a good choice of hotels, making this an easy stop on a connection through Atlanta.

• Area: Buckhead, Atlanta
• Price range: $ to $$$$
• Best time: Weekday afternoons
• Getting there: MARTA rail to Lenox

It fits well into an Atlanta layover or business trip.

Woodfield Mall

A Midwest classic for mainstream family shopping, Woodfield Mall in Schaumburg, Illinois, north-west of Chicago, is one of the largest malls in the Midwest and a classic American enclosed mall with department stores, a long list of chain stores and family-friendly restaurants.

It is close to O'Hare International Airport. If you are staying in central Chicago, the Magnificent Mile on Michigan Avenue offers more variety without the drive, so Woodfield makes most sense for visitors staying near the airport or in the suburbs.

• Area: Schaumburg, north-west suburbs
• Price range: $ to $$$
• Best time: Weekday evenings
• Getting there: Car from O'Hare or Chicago

Families based in Chicago's suburbs or near O'Hare will find it handiest.

Bal Harbour Shops

Quiet luxury is the Florida style at Bal Harbour Shops, at the north end of Miami Beach, is a small, open-air, two-level luxury centre with tropical planting, koi ponds and almost exclusively high-end tenants. Compact and calm, it is aimed at serious fashion buyers.

There are no chain-store bargains here, but there is excellent service and space to shop without crowds. Combine it with the beach at Bal Harbour or Surfside.

• Area: Bal Harbour, north Miami Beach
• Price range: $$$ to $$$$
• Best time: Weekday late mornings
• Getting there: Car or bus along Collins Avenue

Luxury shoppers who dislike crowds will like it. Book lunch at one of the terrace restaurants.

Fashion Island

Ocean-view coastal shopping in California is the draw at Fashion Island in Newport Beach, an open-air, Mediterranean-style centre on a hill above the Pacific, with fountains, a koi pond and views to the ocean on clear days. The shops are mid-range to upscale, and the restaurants are some of the best in any mall on this list.

It pairs well with South Coast Plaza, a short drive inland: luxury there, relaxed shopping and a sea-view dinner here.

• Area: Newport Center, Newport Beach
• Price range: $$ to $$$$
• Best time: Late afternoon into sunset
• Getting there: Car via Pacific Coast Highway

Give it a slow, scenic afternoon in Orange County.

Stanford Shopping Center

Silicon Valley's garden mall is Stanford Shopping Center, on land owned by Stanford University in Palo Alto, is an open-air garden mall with tree-lined walkways, flower beds and a strong mix of department stores and upscale brands.

It is the best shopping stop in Silicon Valley, and the free Marguerite shuttle links it with the Palo Alto Caltrain station, so visitors staying in San Francisco can reach it by train.

• Area: Palo Alto, beside Stanford campus
• Price range: $$ to $$$$
• Best time: Weekday mornings
• Getting there: Caltrain to Palo Alto + free shuttle

A Stanford campus visit and a shopping stop fit easily into one day.

Scottsdale Fashion Square

Desert luxury and mainstream brands sit together at Scottsdale Fashion Square, the biggest mall in Arizona and the main luxury shopping centre in the Phoenix area, with a newer luxury wing alongside department stores and popular chains.

Arizona summers are extremely hot, and an air-conditioned mall is one of the most comfortable places to spend a July afternoon. Old Town Scottsdale, with its galleries and restaurants, is within walking distance in cooler months.

• Area: Scottsdale, Phoenix metro
• Price range: $ to $$$$
• Best time: Summer afternoons, winter weekdays
• Getting there: Car or Scottsdale trolley

Use it as a hot-weather escape, and in winter walk to Old Town Scottsdale for dinner in winter.

Christiana Mall

No sales tax is the reason to stop at Christiana Mall near Newark, Delaware, a regular mainstream American mall with department stores and chains, but Delaware charges no sales tax, so every purchase is cheaper than in neighbouring states. Shoppers from Philadelphia, Baltimore and further away drive here for electronics and big-ticket items.

It sits just off Interstate 95, between Philadelphia and Baltimore, which makes it an easy stop on an East Coast road trip or a drive between New York and Washington DC.

• Area: Newark, off I-95
• Price range: $ to $$$
• Best time: Weekday mornings
• Getting there: Car via I-95

Buy electronics and gadgets here tax-free on an East Coast drive.

Woodburn Premium Outlets

Oregon's tax-free outlets are at Woodburn Premium Outlets, about 30 miles south of Portland, which combines outlet discounts with Oregon's lack of sales tax, so the price on the label is the price at the till. Its open-air layout holds around 100 outlet stores, including sportswear brands from Oregon's own Nike heritage.

It is right off Interstate 5, so it is an easy stop on a Pacific Northwest road trip between Portland and Salem or further south toward California.

• Area: Woodburn, off I-5
• Price range: $ to $$ (outlet, no sales tax)
• Best time: Weekday mornings
• Getting there: Car from Portland via I-5

West Coast bargain hunters can pair it with a drive through the Willamette Valley wine country.

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How to choose the right US mall for your trip

Start with what you want to buy. For designer labels, the strongest choices are South Coast Plaza, King of Prussia, Aventura, The Galleria, Bal Harbour and the Forum Shops in Las Vegas. For discounts, an outlet such as Sawgrass Mills or Woodburn beats any regular mall, though outlet stock is often past-season or made specifically for outlet stores. For a family day with rides and water parks, Mall of America and American Dream are in a different league from everything else.

Then think about access. Visitors without a car do best at malls with a rail station: Mall of America (light rail from the airport), Tysons Corner (Washington Metro), Lenox Square (MARTA), Hudson Yards and the Oculus (New York subway), and Stanford Shopping Center (Caltrain and shuttle). In Los Angeles, Houston, Orange County and Phoenix, plan on a car or a ride-hail.

Finally, tax. Prices in American shops are shown before sales tax, which is added at the till and varies by state and city. Oregon, Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire and Alaska have no statewide sales tax (some Alaskan towns charge local tax). Minnesota, Pennsylvania and New Jersey exempt most clothing. Unlike many countries, the US has no national VAT refund scheme for tourists, so buying in a low-tax state is the only reliable way to pay less tax.

Tips for shopping in American malls

Add sales tax to every shelf price and bring your passport to guest services. Expect roughly 6% to 10% tax on top in most big cities, and many large malls and outlets give international visitors a coupon book or discount card at the desk. Check US clothing sizes and your baggage allowance before a big haul.

• Add sales tax in your head. Shelf prices exclude sales tax. Expect roughly 6% to 10% on top in most big cities, depending on the state.
• Ask for a visitor savings pass. Many large malls and outlets offer international visitors a coupon book or discount card at the guest services desk. Bring your passport.
• Check US sizes. American clothing and shoe sizes differ from UK and European sizes. Try things on or check the brand's size chart before buying.
• Check electronics specs. US electronics run on 120 volts with Type A/B plugs. Laptops and phones usually handle any voltage, but check hair tools and kitchen gadgets.
• Watch your baggage allowance. Big shopping hauls can cost more in excess baggage than you saved. Check your airline's limits before the outlet trip.
• Know your home customs limit. Your own country's customs rules decide how much you can bring home duty-free. Keep receipts together for the return trip.

Planning a trip to United States? Read our United States travel guide, compare hotels in United States or search flights.