Investments in Unconsolidated Real Estate Joint Ventures Summary Statements of Operations for Unconsolidated Joint Ventures (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2011
Partnership Interest [Member]
Summary Statements of Operations of Unconsolidated Joint Ventures [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 11,985	$ 9,488	$ 35,249	$ 28,802
Operating Costs and Expenses	5,521	4,718	15,495	13,292
General and Administrative Expense	365	58	765	114
Acquisition costs	0	0	704	0
Abandoned development costs	0	0	1,390	0
Impairment of Real Estate	0	0	420	0
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Nonproduction	4,283	3,534	13,191	10,772
Total Expenses	10,169	8,310	31,965	24,178
Operating Income (Loss)	1,816	1,178	3,284	4,624
Interest Expense	(3,540)	(1,381)	(10,967)	(7,310)
Net income	(1,724)	(203)	(7,683)	(2,686)
Tanger Factory Outlet Centers, Inc [Member]
Summary Statements of Operations of Unconsolidated Joint Ventures [Line Items]
Revenues	90,483	83,243	262,061	226,083
Operating Costs and Expenses	27,614	25,181	81,679	73,054
General and Administrative Expense	9,018	7,943	27,737	21,895
Acquisition costs	0	978	0	2,519
Abandoned development costs	0	0	0	158
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Nonproduction	24,809	22,964	75,247	58,787
Total Expenses	61,441	57,066	184,663	156,413
Operating Income (Loss)	29,042	26,177	77,398	69,670
Interest Expense	(12,317)	(11,958)	(37,062)	(32,996)
Net income	16,170	14,192	37,462	35,851	50,989
Income (Loss) from Equity Method Investments	(555)	(27)	(2,874)	(823)
Equity Method Invesment Company and Operating Partnership Share of Real Estate Related Depreciation	$ 1,641	$ 1,280	$ 5,249	$ 3,922