During a casual chat with my American colleague, he mentioned how much he enjoys spending time at the mall — not necessarily for the shopping, but for the experience. Strolling from shop to shop, sipping a beer with friends on a terrace while waiting for his wife, and watching the kids run around safely, away from traffic.

It struck me in that moment: he wasn’t describing what most Europeans think of as a “mall.” He was, in essence, describing the classic city center of a European town.

The Mall vs. The European City Center

The traditional mall in the U.S. has always aimed to recreate the walkable charm of an old town square — all under one roof and with ample parking. But somewhere along the way, it lost its soul. The original idea of the enclosed shopping mall, pioneered in the mid-20th century, was actually inspired by European urban design. It was meant to be a place where people could live, shop, and socialize — a modern agora. Instead, it evolved into a temple of consumerism, dominated by big chains and lifeless uniformity.

European cities, on the other hand, live and breathe. Their historic centers are pedestrian-friendly, full of small local shops, cafés, and open plazas. People actually hang out — not because they’re trying to kill time, but because it’s genuinely enjoyable. There’s a rhythm to the day: a stroll in the morning, a relaxed lunch, a coffee in the afternoon sun, dinner with friends in the evening. No one needs to be “entertained” because the city itself offers presence and atmosphere.

Some Malls Are Catching On

Interestingly, a few places are trying to recapture that magic. Take Optimist Hall in Charlotte, North Carolina — a former mill turned lively food hall filled with local restaurants, cafés, and a brewery. It’s not your typical mall. There’s life, variety, and a sense of community — exactly what so many malls are missing.

As discussed on Ventanatravel.com, walking-friendly environments play a huge role in the enjoyment of travel. Their post on the best travel shoes for walking long distances touches on something deeper than just footwear — it highlights how our experience of a place is shaped by how we move through it. And that movement feels entirely different in a place made for people rather than cars.

The Problem With “Lifestyle Centers”

In recent years, developers have tried to rebrand malls as “lifestyle centers” — outdoor, more stylized shopping districts. But many of them still lack the authenticity of organically grown cities. Why? Because they’re still built all at once, often by a single developer, and filled with the same national chains. They might look like a downtown area, but they rarely feel like one.

Real city centers are often “built by many hands” — layered over time, full of idiosyncrasies, local identity, and generational evolution. You can’t fake that in a development built in 18 months.

What We’re Really Longing For

What my colleague unknowingly expressed was a longing for human-centered design — a space not dominated by traffic, consumption, or surveillance, but one that simply feels good to be in. That’s what European city centers offer, and what malls, at their best, only try to replicate.

So maybe the next time you find yourself seeking a change of pace, look beyond the mall. Go where people walk slowly, where storefronts are different from one another, and where you don’t need a reason to linger. Or better yet, plan a trip with Ventanatravel.com and see how real city life unfolds — one cobblestone street at a time.

Curious to explore places designed for walking and wandering? Don’t forget to check out Ventana Travel’s guide on travel shoes made for real exploration. Because the journey is better when the path invites you to stay a while.