These Are the 10 Largest Malls in America

Mall of America

Located in Bloomington, Minnesota, this gargantuan shopping center is more of a destination location than a mall. It’s so large — 5.6 million square feet (520,257 square meters) — that it offers “official MOA tours” to learn its “secrets.”

When the mall opened in 1992 it had “just” 330 stores. That has since expanded to over 500. However, the Mall of America experience has grown way beyond shopping. Extras include Nickelodeon Universe, two Matrix Technology 5D “extreme” attractions, the Amazing Mirror Maze, and 13 movie screens.

The city of Bloomington is so proud of its world-renowned tourist destination that it likes to boggle the mind with mall trivia. Some examples: Over 5,000 couples have been married there, popping into every store for a visit would take 86 hours, and the number of visitors each year is a whopping 40 million.

American Dream

Coming in as the second-largest mall in the U.S. is a newish mega-center in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

Opening in 2019 the American Dream Mall takes up 3.5 million square feet (325,160 square meters). It houses more than 450 stores. Like the Mall of America, it also offers a number of non-retail diversions. These include simulated winter sports, a visit to an aquarium, shooting some mini golf, and playing at the Nickelodeon Universe.

Despite all these attractions, the American Dream Mall lost $245 million in 2022. On top of that, a distressing string of freak accidents put a tarnish on the dream. In February of 2023, a large display suspended from the ceiling of the DreamWorks Water Park crashed down on a pool full of children injuring four. And in December 2022 a visitor to the Big Snow American Dream died after hitting his head while snowboarding at the mall.

King of Prussia Mall

Pennsylvania is home to the third-largest mall in America, which also happens to be one of the oldest as well.

Situated just north of Philadelphia, King of Prussia Mall first opened its doors in 1963. At that time it consisted of two separate buildings. When the two merged during a renovation in 2016, the size of the mall zoomed to 2.9 million square feet (269,418 square meters).

Boasting six big department stores and over 450 other commercial enterprises, including restaurants and specialty shops, this grandaddy of mega-centers attracts 22 million visitors annually. For those seeking out activities other than shopping, there’s also an indoor skydiving center and a robust gaming arena.

South Coast Plaza

Located in Costa Mesa, California, South Coast Plaza ranks as the fourth-largest mall in America and the largest in California. Coming in at 2.8 million square feet (260,128 square meters), it contains over 275 high-end stores and 30 restaurants.

Opening back in 1967 with 70 stores, including the now defunct May Company and Sears, the mall’s ambiance has significantly changed over the years. Taking a leaf from Rodeo Drive, South Coast Plaza now features such high-end retailers as  Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Harry Winston, Tiffany & Co., and Gucci.

Aventura Mall

At approximately 2.7 million square feet (250,838 square meters), south Florida’s Aventura Mall is the fifth-largest mall in the U.S.

Showcasing over 300 retailers on three levels, the mall also offers a robust food court of more than 20 restaurants. Located in Aventura, Florida, which is a short 30 minutes north of Miami. The mall is considered to be a “shopping and cultural experience.”

According to Architectural Digest, the art at Aventura Mall “rivals many major museums.” The mall’s developer Jackie Soffer set about buying pieces for the mall 15 years ago. One of the more notable is Robert Indiana’s iconic Love sculpture, purchased at auction for $1.87 million. For popularity, Gorillas in the Mist by The Haas Brothers takes top honors. These bronze installations of gorillas and other animals in an outdoor fountain area attract scores of visitors annually, making Aventura Mall not just a shopping hub, but a world-class tourist attraction.

But perhaps the most unique feature of this mall is its famous farmers market. Showcasing fresh fruits and vegetables, specialty foods, baked goods, plants, and flowers, the market would be a unique shopping experience all on its own.

Del Amo Fashion Center

Located in Torrance, California, Del Amo Fashion Center currently holds the number six slot on the list of malls that are still “with it,” boasting 2.6 million square feet (241,547 square meters).

First opened in 1961, the center has since undergone numerous additional “grand openings.”  The most unusual renovation for Del Amo was the “marriage of the malls” in 1981. The marketing nuptials consisted of a walkway connecting Del Amo Center and Del Amo Fashion Square (hence the new name, Del Amo Fashion Center). Until the Mall of America opened 11 years later, it was the biggest enclosed mall in the U.S.

Owned by the Simon Property Group, Del Amo has managed to retain its focus on shopping rather than activities, amusements or art. It currently has over 200 stores and offers 62 different eateries.

The Galleria

The biggest mall in Texas that personifies bigness, the Galleria currently ranks as the seventh-largest in the U.S. Taking up 2.4 million square feet (222,967 square meters) this Houston-based shopping hub is an interesting conglomerate of shopping, business, and activities.

Opening in 1970, it was the first mall in the U.S. to offer more than merchandise. The mix of office areas, a post office, an ice-skating rink, and accommodations made the Galleria more of a city within a city than a shopping center. And like a downtown area that the center mimics, its doors are never locked. You can walk the Galleria at any time and window shop if the stores are closed.

Also a Simon Mall, the property includes over 400 stores, 60 eateries, an ice rink, two swimming pools, two high-rise hotels, and three office towers. Despite not being at the top of the list for square footage, the mall is so big it has its own zip code.

Destiny USA

Located in Syracuse, smack in the center of New York state, the Destiny USA Mall is tied for seventh place with The Galleria at 2.4 million square feet (222,967 square meters). But where this mall tops all the others is in its height. Showcasing six full levels above the ground and one below, it’s by far the biggest mall in New York State.

Opening originally in 1990 as the Carousel Center, the mall was scheduled for an ambitious lengthy expansion project that would have rivaled the Mall of America. Although the revisions were substantially downsized, the dramatic new name was retained.

The renamed Destiny USA Mall offers a total of 250 stores, and restaurants along with numerous attractions for kids.

Unlike the days when malls were a place for kids to gather on their own, Destiny USA has instituted a “parental escort policy.” It specifies that anyone under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian over 21 when visiting. That rule applies during all hours of operation, every day of the week.

While numerous other malls have instituted similar policies, the one at Destiny USA appears to be the strictest.

Roosevelt Field

When the ribbon was cut to open New York’s Roosevelt Field Mall on August 29, 1956, tenants included a Buster Brown shoe store, Singer Sewing Center, and a Horn & Hardart restaurant.

While those icons of the past are long gone, in their place, you’ll find 270 “modern” stores along with a robust food court. Coming in at a bit over 2.3 million square feet (213,676 square meters), this three-story center is the ninth-largest enclosed mall in the U.S.

Yet another Simon mall, this iconic Long Island shopping hub has the distinction of occupying the land once known as Roosevelt Field, the airstrip where Charles Lindbergh took off for his solo 1927 historic transatlantic flight.

Sawgrass Mills

Sawgrass Mills of Sunrise, Florida, may be last on the list of biggest malls in America, but it’s a money maker. CNBC rates its assets at $4.1 billion with sales per square foot at $1,149.

Located in Sunrise, Florida, the mall boasts over 350 stores and 17 restaurants. Opened in 1990 its most distinctive feature, in keeping with its location, is being shaped like an alligator. With over 2.1 million square feet of leasable area (195,096 square meters), it is split into three sections, one being an open area featuring luxury outlet stores with names like Prada and Versace.

Strategically situated a short 30 minutes from Miami International Airport, Sawgrass Mills is an easily accessible shopping stop for international visitors.

The Simon Group, which owns the property, calls Sawgrass Mills Mall Florida’s second-largest tourist attraction, only next to Disney World.

So there you have it — in the greatly diminished world of shopping malls, survival of the grandest, most innovative, and most spectacular seems to be the rule of thumb these days.