Mall museum facts for kids

Imagine a place where you can shop for new clothes and then explore ancient treasures or amazing sea creatures, all in one building! That's what a mall museum is. It's a shopping mall that also has a museum inside.

This idea became popular around 2007-2010. During that time, many shops in malls closed. Museums saw a chance to use these empty spaces. They moved in, bringing their cool exhibits to where lots of people already were. This helped museums get more visitors and gave shoppers something new to see. You can find these special places in countries like Iran, Turkey, Spain, and the United States.

Mall Museums Around the World

Discovering History in the Middle East

The Isfahan City Center in Iran is a huge shopping mall. It's known for being one of the largest malls in the world that also has a museum. This museum holds amazing items from over 7,000 years ago!

It has more than 15 different collections. You can see old stamps, money, and beautiful art. The main goal of this museum is to teach the world about Iran's long and interesting history.

European Adventures in Mall Museums

Rock and Roll in Spain

In Barcelona, Spain, there's a cool place called the Arenas de Barcelona mall. It used to be a historic bullring, a big stadium for bullfights. But bullfighting became less popular. So, in March 2011, it was turned into a modern mall and entertainment center.

Inside this mall, you'll find the Rock and Roll Museum. It has one of Europe's biggest collections of rock music items. You can see things from famous bands like the Beatles and the Rolling Stones. There are also exhibits about Spanish rock music and special temporary shows.

An Ice Museum in Turkey

The Forum Istanbul shopping mall in Turkey has a very unique museum. It's home to the first ice museum in Turkey, which opened on April 23, 2010. This museum is cold all year round!

The temperature inside is about minus 5 degrees Celsius (23 degrees Fahrenheit). Don't worry about getting chilly, though. Visitors get special arctic coats at the entrance to keep them warm while they explore.

United States Mall Museum Highlights

Early Museums in Malls

One of the first museums to open inside a shopping mall in the United States was the Hungarian Heritage Museum. It's located at The Galleria at Erieview Mall in Cleveland, Ohio. This museum first opened its doors on March 15, 2003. It shares the rich history and culture of Hungary.

Arizona's Diverse Mall Museums

Arizona has become a popular spot for museums in malls. Many have opened in spaces that used to be retail stores.

• Sea Life Arizona Aquarium

In May 2010, Sea Life Arizona opened at the Arizona Mills Mall in Tempe. This huge aquarium is about 26,000 square feet. It's home to more than 5,000 sea creatures! You can see amazing sea horses, clever octopuses, and graceful sting-rays. Sea Life Arizona is part of a big group that runs many attractions around the world.

• Pop Culture Experience

The Pop Culture Experience museum opened on April 8, 2011. It's located in the Desert Ridge Shopping Mall in north Phoenix. This museum is a fun trip through American pop culture. It features items from the 1960s to today. You might see Apollo 11 space items, classic Barbie dolls, Superman figures, and collectibles from popular TV shows and movies.