Brief summary

• The Dubai Mall is a gigantic, indoor, destination shopping-and-entertainment megamall in Downtown Dubai built around big attractions (Burj Khalifa, Dubai Fountain, aquarium, ice rink) and focused on mass retail, luxury Fashion Avenue and high footfall. (bk.emaar.com)
• City Walk is a smaller, open‑air/streetscape lifestyle precinct with a more boutique/urban vibe — alfresco dining, design-led shops, residential and entertainment anchors (The Green Planet biodome, Roxy Cinemas, Coca‑Cola Arena) aimed at leisure, events and a “live/ work/ play” neighborhood feel. (citywalk.ae)

Key differences (at-a-glance)

• Size and scale

  • The Dubai Mall: one of the world’s largest malls (~12 million sq ft total area; 1,200+ stores; multi‑level indoor complex; huge annual visitor numbers). (bk.emaar.com)
  • City Walk: much smaller in scale — an urban precinct/streetscape covering a mixed commercial‑residential area (designed as an outdoor lifestyle district rather than a single enclosed mall). (en.Wikipedia.org)

• Layout and atmosphere

  • Dubai Mall: enclosed, air‑conditioned, multi‑floor; busy, tourist‑focused, high‑traffic, very large anchor attractions. (bk.emaar.com)
  • City Walk: partially pedestrianised open‑air boulevards, tree‑lined streets, contemporary/European street vibe, more relaxed and neighborhood‑oriented. (visitdubai.com)

• Retail mix and positioning

  • Dubai Mall: broad mix from fast fashion to major international luxury brands (Fashion Avenue with many signature stores), department stores and hundreds of F&B outlets — aimed at both shoppers and sightseers. (bk.emaar.com)
  • City Walk: boutique stores, concept shops, designer boutiques, automotive showrooms and a curated F&B scene — leans toward lifestyle, design and experiential retail. (citywalk.ae)

• Signature attractions and entertainment

  • Dubai Mall: Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo, Olympic‑sized ice rink, VR/dinosaur exhibits, direct access to Burj Khalifa and the Dubai Fountain shows — major tourist draws. (visitdubai.com)
  • City Walk: The Green Planet biodome, Roxy Cinemas, live‑event venue adjacency (Coca‑Cola Arena), seasonal events and street art/activities — more experiential, event and family friendly on a neighborhood scale. (visitdubai.com)

• Dining and nightlife

  • Dubai Mall: hundreds of restaurants, food courts and upscale dining with views toward Burj Khalifa/Dubai Fountain; strong fine‑dining and tourist options. (bk.emaar.com)
  • City Walk: alfresco restaurants, cafés and bars integrated into the streetscape — emphasis on outdoor dining and trendy concepts. (visitdubai.com)

• Accessibility and location

  • Dubai Mall: located in Downtown Dubai next to Burj Khalifa; well served by Dubai Metro (Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall station + feeder transport) and large multi‑level parking. (bk.emaar.com)
  • City Walk: in the Al Wasl/Al Safa area, convenient to Sheikh Zayed Road and neighborhood traffic; parking and street access oriented to local visitors and residents. (en.Wikipedia.org)

• Best use / who it’s for

  • Dubai Mall: best if you want a full day of shopping + must‑see tourist attractions, luxury shopping, family attractions (aquarium, ice rink) and iconic Burj Khalifa/Fountain views. (visitdubai.com)
  • City Walk: best for relaxed strolling, alfresco dining, boutique shopping, street events, families visiting The Green Planet or people attending concerts/films at nearby venues. (visitdubai.com)

Practical notes

• If you want one iconic, big‑ticket Dubai experience with many indoor attractions and luxury shopping — choose Dubai Mall. (bk.emaar.com)
• If you prefer a walkable outdoor neighborhood with trendier dining, smaller shops and live events — choose City Walk. (citywalk.ae)

If you want, I can: give exact directions from a U.S. city arrival point, list top 10 restaurants in each, or compare opening hours and parking details for both (I’ll look up current opening times).