How to Find the Best Shopping Mall near Me: A Guide

April 1, 2022April 1, 2022 Sono

Who doesn’t love a day at the mall? You bring a few friends, window shop, and grab an Auntie Anne’s pretzel while you walk around and take in the sights and sounds of a shopping trip. Malls aren’t the bustling social places they once were in the past, but there’s still something charming about them.

If it’s been a while since you’ve been to the mall, you’re not alone. The COVID-19 pandemic hasn’t been kind to your average shopping mall, and many people swapped to full-time online shopping.

Now that restrictions are lifting, it’s time to look for the “best shopping mall near me” so you can (safely) return to your shopping habit. Read on to learn how to find that mall!

Table of Contents

Know What You’re Looking For

If you’re going to the mall for more than just the simple joy of window shopping, you’re going to need to make a game plan. All of the best shopping malls have plenty of stores to choose from, but that doesn’t mean that they’re going to have what you’re looking for.

Are you in need of a nice dress for a party? What about a baby shower gift? Maybe you want to try on wedding dresses “just because.”

Regardless, you need to find a mall that suits those unique needs or you’ll just be wasting your time.

Most malls have online directories that will tell you what they have available. Even if you’re not sure exactly what store you’re looking for, you can often browse by categories like “formal wear” and “children’s clothing.”

Look for “Extras”

A day at the mall isn’t complete with only a visit to a few stores. No, if you want the true shopping mall experience, you need to get some snacks and maybe even do some fun activities.

If you, like us, love wandering mall food courts for snacks, check out what’s available before you commit to a mall. It would be tragic to show up in hopes of getting a smoothie just to realize that the smoothie shop is no longer there.

Some malls have things like trampoline parks, arcades, and even roller coasters (like the Mall of America on Property Manager Insider’s list). In other words, you have options.

Read Online Reviews and Recommendations

Online reviews make finding the products and services that you’re looking for easier than ever. If you’re struggling to find the best mall in your local area, take your search to the web to see what other people are saying.

If a mall is that good, there are sure to be reviews on local online news sites. If you live in a major city, there may even be stories about the mall on national news sites.