Other Comprehensive Income of the Company (Details) (Tanger Factory Outlet Centers, Inc, USD $) In Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010
Tanger Factory Outlet Centers, Inc
Schedule of Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Net income	$ 14,192	$ 14,753	$ 35,851	$ 23,148
Reclassification Adjustment for Amortization of Gain on 2005 Settlement of US Treasury Rate Lock Included in Net Income	(83)	(78)	(246)	(232)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Adjustment, Net of Tax	(107)	0	(107)	0
Recalssification Adjustment for Settlement of Interest Rate Swap Agreements	0	0	0	6,142
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Derivatives Qualifying as Hedges, Net of Tax	0	0	0	2,905
Change in Fair Value of Our Portion of Our Unconsolidated Joint Ventures' Cash Flow Hedges	0	14	46	(22)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	(190)	(64)	(307)	8,793
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	14,002	14,689	35,544	31,941
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	1,705	1,746	4,528	3,644
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent	$ 12,297	$ 12,943	$ 31,016	$ 28,297