Equity-Based Compensation of the Operating Partnership Options Outstanding by Exercise Price (Details) (Tanger Properties Limited Partnership)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011 Units years
Equity-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Equity Based Commpensation Units Authorized Under Stock Options Plans Exercise Price Range Number of Outstanding Options	74,425
Equity Based Compensation Units Authorized Under Stock Option Plans Exercise Price Range Outstanding Options Weighted Average Exercise Price Beginning Balance1	79.81
Equity Based Compensation Units Authorized Under Stock Option Plans Exercise Price Range Outstanding Options Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term1	6.84
Equity Based Compensation Units Authorized Under Stock Option Plans Exercise Price Range Number of Exercisable Options	28,175
Equity Based Compensation Units Authorized Under Stock Option Plans Exercise Price Range Exercisable Options Weighted Average Exercise Price1	19.85
Exercise Price $38.76 [Member]
Equity-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Grant Date Exercise Price Per Unit	38.76
Equity Based Commpensation Units Authorized Under Stock Options Plans Exercise Price Range Number of Outstanding Options	2,500
Equity Based Compensation Units Authorized Under Stock Option Plans Exercise Price Range Outstanding Options Weighted Average Exercise Price Beginning Balance1	38.76
Equity Based Compensation Units Authorized Under Stock Option Plans Exercise Price Range Outstanding Options Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term1	2.57
Equity Based Compensation Units Authorized Under Stock Option Plans Exercise Price Range Number of Exercisable Options	2,500
Equity Based Compensation Units Authorized Under Stock Option Plans Exercise Price Range Exercisable Options Weighted Average Exercise Price1	38.76
Exercise Price $38.83 [Member]
Equity-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Grant Date Exercise Price Per Unit	38.83
Equity Based Commpensation Units Authorized Under Stock Options Plans Exercise Price Range Number of Outstanding Options	22,675
Equity Based Compensation Units Authorized Under Stock Option Plans Exercise Price Range Outstanding Options Weighted Average Exercise Price Beginning Balance1	38.83
Equity Based Compensation Units Authorized Under Stock Option Plans Exercise Price Range Outstanding Options Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term1	2.58
Equity Based Compensation Units Authorized Under Stock Option Plans Exercise Price Range Number of Exercisable Options	22,675
Equity Based Compensation Units Authorized Under Stock Option Plans Exercise Price Range Exercisable Options Weighted Average Exercise Price1	38.83
Exercise Price $47.25 [Member]
Equity-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Grant Date Exercise Price Per Unit	47.25
Equity Based Commpensation Units Authorized Under Stock Options Plans Exercise Price Range Number of Outstanding Options	3,000
Equity Based Compensation Units Authorized Under Stock Option Plans Exercise Price Range Outstanding Options Weighted Average Exercise Price Beginning Balance1	47.25
Equity Based Compensation Units Authorized Under Stock Option Plans Exercise Price Range Outstanding Options Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term1	3.09
Equity Based Compensation Units Authorized Under Stock Option Plans Exercise Price Range Number of Exercisable Options	3,000
Equity Based Compensation Units Authorized Under Stock Option Plans Exercise Price Range Exercisable Options Weighted Average Exercise Price1	47.25
Exercise Price $104.24 [Member]
Equity-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Grant Date Exercise Price Per Unit	104.24
Equity Based Commpensation Units Authorized Under Stock Options Plans Exercise Price Range Number of Outstanding Options	46,250
Equity Based Compensation Units Authorized Under Stock Option Plans Exercise Price Range Outstanding Options Weighted Average Exercise Price Beginning Balance1	104.24
Equity Based Compensation Units Authorized Under Stock Option Plans Exercise Price Range Outstanding Options Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term1	9.41
Equity Based Compensation Units Authorized Under Stock Option Plans Exercise Price Range Number of Exercisable Options	0
Equity Based Compensation Units Authorized Under Stock Option Plans Exercise Price Range Exercisable Options Weighted Average Exercise Price1	0.00