CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (UNAUDITED) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Tanger Factory Outlet Centers, Inc [Member]	Tanger Factory Outlet Centers, Inc [Member] Total shareholders' equity [Member]	Tanger Factory Outlet Centers, Inc [Member] Common Stock [Member]	Tanger Factory Outlet Centers, Inc [Member] Paid in capital [Member]	Tanger Factory Outlet Centers, Inc [Member] Distributions in excess of earnings [Member]	Tanger Factory Outlet Centers, Inc [Member] Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) [Member]	Tanger Factory Outlet Centers, Inc [Member] Noncontrolling interest in Operating Partnership [Member]	Tanger Factory Outlet Centers, Inc [Member] Noncontrolling interest in other consolidated partnerships [Member]	Tanger Properties Limited Partnership [Member]	Tanger Properties Limited Partnership [Member] General Partner [Member]	Tanger Properties Limited Partnership [Member] Limited Partner [Member]	Tanger Properties Limited Partnership [Member] Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) [Member]	Tanger Properties Limited Partnership [Member] Noncontrolling interest in Operating Partnership [Member]	Tanger Properties Limited Partnership [Member] Noncontrolling interest in other consolidated partnerships [Member]
Balance at Dec. 31, 2010	$ 421,895
Comprehensive income:
Net income	35,851								35,851
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(307)								(307)
Total comprehensive income	35,544								35,544
Balance at Sep. 30, 2011
Balance at Dec. 31, 2010										5,221	414,926	1,748	421,895	0
Balance at Dec. 31, 2010	421,895	366,929	810	604,359	(240,024)	1,784	54,966	0
Common distributions									3.175
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period	36,500
Partners' Capital, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest									528,432
Comprehensive income:
Net income	50,989	44,641	0	0	44,641	0	6,356	(8)	50,989	524	50,473	0	50,997	(8)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(285)	(249)	0	0	0	(249)	(36)	0	(285)	0	0	(285)	(285)	0
Issuance of common shares, net of issuance costs	117,375	117,375	46	117,329	0	0	0	0
Compensation under Incentive Award Plan	7,291	7,291	0	7,291	0	0	0	0	7,291	0	7,291	0	7,291	0
Issuance of common units upon exercise of options									353	0	353	0	353	0
Grant of restricted units, net of forfeitures									0	0	0	0	0	0
Issuance of common units net of issuance costs									117,375	0	117,375	0	117,375	0
Common distributions									(76,031)	(773)	(75,258)	0	(76,031)	0
Issuance of common shares upon exercise of options	353	353	0	353	0	0	0	0
Grant of restricted shares, net of forfeitures	0	0	3	(3)	0	0	0	0
Issuance of Common Shares Upon Exchange of Convertible Debt	0	0	1	(1)	0	0	0	0
Adjustment for noncotrolling interest in Operating Partnership	0	(9,242)	0	(9,242)	0	0	9,242	0
Adjustment for noncontrolling interest in other consolidated partnerships	6,845	(6)	0	(6)	0	0	0	6,851	6,845	0	(6)	0	(6)	6,851
Exchange of Operating Partnerships units for common shares	0	0	7	(7)	0	0	0	0
Common dividends	(66,530)	(66,530)	0	0	(66,530)	0	0	0
Distribution to noncontrolling interests in Operating Partnerships	(9,501)	0	0	0	0	0	(9,501)	0
Balance at Dec. 31, 2011	528,432	460,562	867	720,073	(261,913)	1,535	61,027	6,843
Balance at Dec. 31, 2011									521,589	4,972	515,154	1,463	521,589	6,843
Common distributions									2.48
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period	29,000
Partners' Capital, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest									513,095
Comprehensive income:
Net income	37,462	35,172	0	0	35,172	0	2,315	(25)	37,462	384	37,103	0	37,487	(25)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(300)	(283)	0	0	0	(283)	(17)	0	(300)	0	0	(300)	(300)	0
Total comprehensive income	37,162								37,162
Compensation under Incentive Award Plan	8,231	8,231	0	8,231	0	0	0	0	8,231	0	8,231	0	8,231	0
Issuance of common units upon exercise of options									372	0	372	0	372	0
Grant of restricted units, net of forfeitures									0	0	0	0	0	0
Common distributions									(61,102)	(620)	(60,482)	0	(61,102)	0
Issuance of common shares upon exercise of options	372	372	0	372	0	0	0	0
Grant of restricted shares, net of forfeitures	0	0	6	(6)	0	0	0	0
Adjustment for noncotrolling interest in Operating Partnership	0	34,207	0	34,207	0	0	(34,207)	0
Adjustment for noncontrolling interest in other consolidated partnerships	0	10	0	10	0	0	0	(10)	0	0	10	0	10	(10)
Exchange of Operating Partnerships units for common shares	0	0	66	(66)	0	0	0	0
Common dividends	(57,202)	(57,202)	0	0	(57,202)	0	0	0
Distribution to noncontrolling interests in Operating Partnerships	(3,900)	0	0	0	0	0	(3,900)	0
Balance at Sep. 30, 2012	513,095	481,069	939	762,821	(283,943)	1,252	25,218	6,808
Balance at Sep. 30, 2012									506,287	4,736	500,388	1,163	506,287	6,808
Balance at Jun. 30, 2012
Partners' Capital, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest									513,095
Comprehensive income:
Net income	16,170								16,170
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(161)								(161)
Total comprehensive income	16,009								16,009
Balance at Sep. 30, 2012	513,095
Balance at Sep. 30, 2012									$ 506,287