Equity-Based Compensation of the Operating Partnership Restricted Unit Activity (Details) (Tanger Properties Limited Partnership [Member], USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012 Units	Sep. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2011 Units
Schedule of Restricted Unit Activity [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Vested in Period, Total Fair Value	$ 8.0	$ 5.7
Equity Based Compensation Arrangement by Equity-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Vested in Period, Total Fair Value	$ 8.0	$ 5.7
Equity Based Compensation Arrangement by Equity-Based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number	270,384		197,834
Equity Based Compensation Arrangement by Equity-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	93.73		83.70
Equity Based Compensation Arrangement by Equity-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period	142,750
Equity Based Compensation Arrangement by Equity-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	111.60
Equity Based Compensation Arrangement by Equity-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Vested in Period	(68,950)
Equity Based Compensation Arrangement by Equity-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Vested in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	85.75
Equity Based Compensation Arrangement by Equity-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Forfeited in Period	(1,250)
Equity Based Compensation Arrangement by Equity-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Forfeited in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	118.00
Fully Vested [Member] | Restricted Units [Member]
Schedule of Restricted Unit Activity [Line Items]
Number of Restricted Units Granted to CEO	11,250