American Dream Mall (Photo by: Jibreel23 - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons)
When I was a kid, going to the mall meant shopping for clothes. There weren't any entertainment attractions and certainly no kosher food court. If you were lucky, you might find some kosher ice cream, but that was about it. Times have certainly changed.
American Dream Mall is nothing like the malls I grew up with. Part shopping destination and part indoor entertainment complex, it offers everything from a theme park and water park to skiing, mini golf, an aquarium, and more. Better yet, there are more than 10 kosher dining options, including pizza, burgers, chicken, ice cream, smoothies, and a dairy café, making it easy to spend the entire day there.
Located in the Meadowlands Sports Complex in East Rutherford, New Jersey, American Dream is just about a 30-minute drive from New York City and is also easy to reach by public transportation. It's an ideal family outing any time of year, especially during the summer when you want to escape the heat or on rainy days when outdoor plans don't cooperate.
Why Visit American Dream This Summer
American Dream is a great option for summer vacation, especially on very hot days or rainy days when outdoor plans don’t work out. Since most of the major attractions are indoors, families can enjoy rides, water slides, skiing, mini golf, an aquarium, shopping, and kosher dining all in one place.
It’s also an easy day trip from New York City, the Jersey Shore, the Catskills, or other parts of New Jersey, making it a convenient add-on for families spending time in the area this summer.
Kosher Food Options at the American Dream Mall
Since American Dream opened in 2019, the kosher dining lineup has continued to evolve, with new restaurants opening while others have closed. Get the latest information about kosher restaurants at The American Dream Mall.
This is the kosher restaurant list as of June 2026:
- Bravo Pizza: Pizza, pasta and other Italian dishes
- Chickies: Fast food restaurant that serves chicken fingers, fries and other fast food items
- Cinnabon: Serves cinnamon rolls, coffee and other baked goods
- Candy Land Shake Bar: Milkshakes, ice cream and dessert shop located inside the Hasbro Gameroom (Kof-K certified)
- Dunkin’ Donuts: Kosher branch of the chain serving coffee, donuts and other breakfast items
- Fish Grill: Kosher fish-based casual restaurant
- Geoffrey’s Cafe: Cholov Yisroel cafe serving soft-serve ice cream and other treats
- Häagen-Dazs: Two locations in the mall are not kosher certified but all the ice cream is certified OU-D
- IT’SUGAR – It’s Kosher: Kosher section in the candy store offering a wide selection of packaged sweets
- Mrs. Fields: Cookies, brownies and other baked goods
- Nuts Factory: Premium nuts, dried fruit, chocolates, Turkish delights, and gourmet snacks.
- Red Mango: Frozen yogurt, smoothies, juices and acai bowls
- Smash & Grab: Fast-casual spot serving burgers, fries, and classic grab-and-go comfort food
- Sweet Crunch Tanghulu: Kosher Chinese-style candied fruit on skewers
- Twisted by Wetzel's Pretzels: Handcrafted pretzels
Coming Soon
- Miznon: Israeli pita & mezze concept
- Viva La Dough: French-inspired patisserie
Most of the full-meal kosher dining options are conveniently located together in the Coca-Cola Eats Food Hall on Level 3, Court C, making it easy to grab lunch or dinner without leaving the mall. Here you'll find Bravo Pizza, Chickies, Fish Grill, Cinnabon, Candy Land, Dunkin', Twisted by Wetzel's Pretzels, and Sweet Crunch Tanghulu. Additional kosher options are located throughout American Dream, including Red Mango, Mrs. Fields, and Nuts Factory on the first floor, as well as Geoffrey's Café and IT'SUGAR near the entertainment attractions.
Nickelodeon Universe Theme Park at American Dream Mall (Photo by: Dough4872 - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons)
Entertainment & Activities at American Dream
American Dream is much more than a shopping mall. It's one of the largest indoor entertainment destinations in the United States. You could easily spend an entire day here, and many families come back again to experience everything the complex has to offer.
Here are some of the most popular attractions. For current hours, ticket information, and seasonal events, visit the American Dream website.
- Nickelodeon Universe – The largest indoor theme park in the Western Hemisphere, featuring more than 35 rides for toddlers, families, and thrill seekers.
- DreamWorks Water Park – North America's largest indoor water park, with more than 40 water slides, a giant wave pool, lazy river, luxury cabanas, and an 81°F tropical climate year-round.
- Big SNOW – The only indoor ski and snowboard park in North America with real snow, open 365 days a year.
- SEA LIFE Aquarium – Explore sharks, rays, sea turtles, jellyfish, and other marine life through interactive exhibits and an underwater ocean tunnel.
- LEGOLAND Discovery Center – Hands-on LEGO building zones, family rides, a 4D cinema, and creative play areas for younger children.
- The Rink (Seasonal) – American Dream's NHL-sized indoor ice rink typically offers public skating, hockey, and figure skating programs. During the FIFA World Cup™ in summer 2026, the rink has been transformed into The Arena as part of Dream Fan Fest, hosting watch parties and live entertainment. Check the American Dream website for the latest schedule before your visit.
- Angry Birds Mini Golf – An 18-hole indoor miniature golf course inspired by the popular game.
- Activate – A fast-paced interactive gaming experience where players complete physical and mental challenges in high-tech game rooms.
- Dream Wheel – A climate-controlled observation wheel with panoramic views of the Manhattan skyline and the Meadowlands.
- Mirror Maze – A fun family attraction featuring mirrors, lights, and optical illusions.
- BAM Kazam – Interactive adventure rooms with climbing, puzzles, and physical challenges designed for groups and families.
- Topgolf Swing Suite – Indoor golf simulators and interactive sports games for all skill levels.
Big SNOW American Dream (Photo by: By Shemtov613 - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons)
Practical Tips for Visiting American Dream
- Buy attraction tickets online in advance, especially for the water park, theme park, and Big SNOW.
- Look for combination attraction tickets to save money.
- Check attraction hours before your visit, as schedules can vary by day and season.
- Visit on a weekday if possible during the summer, as weekends are typically busier.
- Arrive early if you want to fit in more than one major attraction.
- Bring swimsuits and towels if you plan to visit DreamWorks Water Park.
- Wear comfortable shoes. American Dream is huge, and you’ll do a lot of walking.
- Check the kosher restaurant hours before your visit, especially if you are going later in the day.
Conclusion
From thrilling rides and water slides to indoor skiing, kosher dining, and plenty of shopping, American Dream offers enough to keep the whole family entertained for an entire day, or even longer. It's one of the few destinations where kids, teens, and adults can all find something they'll enjoy.
Whether you're spending a few days in New York, visiting family in New Jersey, or looking for a fun rainy-day activity, American Dream is well worth adding to your itinerary. With so many attractions and kosher dining options under one roof, it's a unique destination that you'll want to visit again and again.