Noncontrolling Interests (Details) (Tanger Factory Outlet Centers, Inc [Member], USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, 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
Tanger Factory Outlet Centers, Inc [Member]
Consolidation, Less than Wholly Owned Subsidiary, Parent Ownership Interest, Effects of Changes, Net [Line Items]
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent	$ 15,327		$ 12,464		$ 35,172		$ 31,284
Partners' Capital Account, Units, Converted					1,642,483				160,332
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Conversion of Units					6,569,932
Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Reallocation of Noncontrolling Interest					0				0
Consolidation, Less than Wholly Owned Subsidiary, Parent Ownership Interest, Changes, Net	1,878	[1]	(8,792)	[1]	34,207	[1]	(9,053)	[1]
Consolidation, Less than Wholly Owned Subsidiary, Parent Ownership Interest, Change Due to Net Income Attributable to Parent and Effects of Changes, Net	$ 17,205		$ 3,672		$ 69,379		$ 22,231

[1] In 2012 and 2011, adjustments of the noncontrolling interest were made as a result of increases in the Company's ownership of the Operating Partnership from additional units received in connection with the Company's issuance of common shares upon exercise of options, share-based compensation and the issuance of common shares upon exchange of Operating Partnership units by Family Limited Partners.