Top 5 Indoor Mall Amusement Parks

New Jersey’s iPlay America offers plenty of games, rides and attractions. Thrill-seekers can race go-karts, battle zombies in a 4-D motion theater and dual with friends in laser tag. Younger kids can bounce around on trampolines or play in the toddler zone.

The American Dream mall dedicates half of its massive space to entertainment. Its Nickelodeon Universe has 27 indoor amusement park rides inspired by the popular kids TV show.

1. Malibu Jack’s Indoor Amusement Park

Malibu Jack’s is a family fun center that is located in Kentucky. It features a tropical theme and offers go-karts, bowling, miniature golf, laser tag, and food. Kids are welcome to play as long as they have a paying adult with them.

The company operates several locations in Lexington and Ashland. It is the state’s largest indoor family entertainment center and features a wide variety of attractions, including an arcade, bowling alley, a 4D dark ride, and a tropical miniature golf course. The facility also has a children’s playground and an All-Star 3-point shootout.

In 2022, the company expanded into Indiana by opening a location in Lafayette. It was built in the Tippecanoe Mall, where a Sears store once stood. The location was chosen because it offered a good deal on rent and was within driving distance of Jester’s three Kentucky locations.

In January 2024, Five Star Parks & Attractions acquired the three original Malibu Jack’s locations in Lexington, Louisville, and Ashland. The acquisition will allow the company to expand its operations, and it is expected to result in additional growth for the brand. The new arrangement will ensure that the original management team is still involved in the business. The company’s leadership team has a strong vision for the future of the brand and is looking forward to developing its footprint in the industry.

2. Nickelodeon Universe

A seven-acre theme park within the Mall of America, Nickelodeon Universe is home to rides and attractions based on popular kid’s shows like Dora the Explorer, SpongeBob SquarePants, Diego, and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. The one-of-a-kind experience also offers meeting opportunities indoor mall amusement park with the characters and themed dining. Wristbands can be purchased for an hour or all day at the Nickelodeon Universe ticket booth, and options are available for sensory-sensitive guests, as well.

Visitors enter the indoor theme park via a giant blimp suspended in air splattered with Nickelodeon’s signature green slime. Inside, the park is a kinetic cacophony of whirling rides and screaming children. Big kids, teens and adults can test their limits on roller coasters including the looping SpongeBob SquarePants Rock Bottom Plunge, a high-speed looping Orange Streak rollercoaster, and the wacky Fairly Odd Coaster. Younger kids can enjoy a log flume and Dora the Explorer-themed Ferris wheel or take a literal spin on Kraang Prime Pandemonium, a 360-degree pendulum swing based on The Fairly OddParents.

The attraction, previously known as Knott’s Camp Snoopy and then later as The Park at Mall of America, was redesigned and rebranded in 2008 after Cedar Fair could not renew their license agreement with the Peanuts theme. The attraction’s layout was largely unchanged, though the shooting gallery beneath the Ripsaw/Orange Streak roller coaster and the Mystery Mine Ride were removed, and the Splat-O-Sphere 60’ spring tower and Rugrats Reptarmobiles were added to the site.

3. American Dream Mall

This massive complex in New Jersey combines mall shopping with an indoor theme park, water park, and Big Snow ski and snowboard park. Located a short travel distance from Manhattan, the American Dream Mall offers a one-of-a-kind experience for families that’s unlike any other in North America. Originally called Xanadu, the megamall indoor mall amusement park opened in October 2019. Designed by Gensler, this 3 million-square-foot mall complex includes hundreds of stores and restaurants as well as several attractions.

In addition to the Nickelodeon Universe theme park, the American Dream Mall features a DreamWorks Water Park and Big Snow ski and snowboard center. Guests can also find high-end retail shops and restaurants at the American Dream.

While many of the attractions are kid-friendly, there are also plenty for older kids and adults to enjoy. For example, thrill seekers can take on the Shellraiser, a world-class roller coaster that’s sure to make their heads spin. And younger visitors can explore PAW Patrol’s Adventure Bay to meet Marshall, Chase, and the rest of the brave pups.

If you’re looking for a relaxing way to pass the day, head over to the Dream Wheel, a gondola-style observation wheel that takes visitors on a 30-minute ride around the skyline of American Dream. Then, grab a bite to eat at Carpaccio, a classy dining spot serving modern Italian cuisine.

4. Mall of America

Located in Bloomington, Minnesota, the Mall of America is much more than a place for locals to shop. The sprawling, frenetic destination is actually home to an honest-to-goodness theme park inside its cavernous walls. And it’s not just any old amusement park, either—this one has multiple roller coasters, a Ferris wheel, and dozens of other fun attractions.

If SpongeBob SquarePants, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and other Nickelodeon characters hold a special place in your heart, plan to spend an afternoon or day at the Nickelodeon Universe attraction within the mall. The park is divided into several themed zones, each with a handful of rides that feature your favorite cartoons. From high-thrill spinning rides like Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Shell Shock to more toned-down options such as Guppy Bubbler and Blue’s Skidoo, there’s a ride for every age group and skill level at Nickelodeon Universe.

In addition to the theme park and dozens of restaurants, the Mall also has a SEA LIFE Aquarium, The LEGO Store, FlyOver America, a Crayola Experience, a movie theater, two arcades, and a mirror maze. It’s easy to get overwhelmed, so plan ahead and avoid attending on holidays, weekends, or during major Mall of America events. Also, consider getting there early or after the crowds have dispersed. (And don’t forget to wear comfortable shoes!