Equity-Based Compensation of the Operating Partnership Equity-Based Compensation Expense (Details) (Tanger Properties Limited Partnership, USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Sep. 30, 2011 Units years	Sep. 30, 2010
Equity-Based Compensation Expense by Award Type [Line Items]
Equity-Based Compensation	$ 1,840,000	$ 1,542,000	$ 5,458,000	$ 4,224,000
Employee Service Equity Based Compensation Nonvested Awards Total Compensation Cost Not Yet Recognized	21,400,000		21,400,000
Employee Service Equity Based Compensation Nonvested Awards Total Compensation Cost Not Yet Recognized Period of Recognition			3.4
Restricted Units [Member]
Equity-Based Compensation Expense by Award Type [Line Items]
Equity-Based Compensation	1,410,000	1,024,000	3,942,000	2,988,000
Notional Unit Performance Awards [Member]
Equity-Based Compensation Expense by Award Type [Line Items]
Equity-Based Compensation	377,000	518,000	1,390,000	1,236,000
Options [Member]
Equity-Based Compensation Expense by Award Type [Line Items]
Equity-Based Compensation	$ 53,000	$ 0	$ 126,000	$ 0