Equity-Based Compensation of the Operating Partnership Restricted Unit Activity (Details) (Tanger Properties Limited Partnership, USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011 Units years	Dec. 31, 2010 Units
Tanger Properties Limited Partnership
Schedule of Restricted Unit Activity [Line Items]
Equity Based Compensation Arrangement by Equity-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Vested in Period, Total Fair Value	$ 5.7
Equity Based Compensation Arrangement by Equity-Based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number	200,990	179,440
Equity Based Compensation Arrangement by Equity-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	83.54	71.81
Equity Based Compensation Arrangement by Equity-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period	81,000
Equity Based Compensation Arrangement by Equity-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	101.74
Equity Based Compensation Arrangement by Equity-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Vested in Period	(53,650)
Equity Based Compensation Arrangement by Equity-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Vested in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	72.46
Equity Based Compensation Arrangement by Equity-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Forfeited in Period	(5,800)
Equity Based Compensation Arrangement by Equity-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Forfeited in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	35.57