CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Tanger Factory Outlet Centers, Inc [Member]
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income	$ 37,462,000	$ 35,851,000
Depreciation and amortization (including discontinued operations)	75,247,000	58,787,000
Amortization of deferred financing costs	1,722,000	1,540,000
Equity in earnings (losses) of unconsolidated joint ventures	2,874,000	823,000
Equity-based compensation expense	8,231,000	5,458,000
Amortization of debt premiums and discount, net	753,000	54,000
Distributions of cumulative earnings from unconsolidated joint ventures	740,000	315,000
Net accretion of market rent rate adjustment	(489,000)	(278,000)
Straight-line base rent adjustment	(2,866,000)	(3,041,000)
Changes in other assets and liabilities :
Other assets	(1,336,000)	(6,377,000)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	(8,331,000)	(11,786,000)
Net cash provided by operating activities	129,163,000	104,810,000
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Additions to rental property	(31,157,000)	(44,911,000)
Payments to Acquire Real Estate	0	(262,488,000)
Payments to Acquire Interest in Subsidiaries and Affiliates	(57,810,000)	(5,424,000)
Distributions in excess of cumulative earnings from unconsolidated joint ventures	(336,000)	(585,000)
Deposits into escrow for potential acquisition	0	(1,500,000)
Net proceeds from the sale of real estate	0	723,000
Additions to deferred lease costs	(3,430,000)	(9,570,000)
Net cash used in investing activities	(92,061,000)	(322,585,000)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Cash distributions paid	(57,202,000)	(49,192,000)
Distributions to noncontrolling interest in Operating Partnership	(3,900,000)	(7,203,000)
Proceeds from Issuance of Common Stock	0	117,539,000
Proceeds from debt issuances	491,477,000	485,350,000
Repayments of debt	(463,705,000)	(330,566,000)
Additions to deferred financing costs	(2,527,000)	(289,000)
Proceeds from exercise of options	372,000	72,000
Net cash used in financing activities	(35,485,000)	215,711,000
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	1,617,000	(2,064,000)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	7,894,000	5,758,000
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	9,511,000	3,694,000
Tanger Properties Limited Partnership [Member]
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income	37,462,000	35,851,000
Depreciation and amortization (including discontinued operations)	75,247,000	58,787,000
Amortization of deferred financing costs	1,722,000	1,540,000
Equity in earnings (losses) of unconsolidated joint ventures	2,874,000	823,000
Equity-based compensation expense	8,231,000	5,458,000
Amortization of debt premiums and discount, net	753,000	54,000
Distributions of cumulative earnings from unconsolidated joint ventures	740,000	315,000
Net accretion of market rent rate adjustment	(489,000)	(278,000)
Straight-line base rent adjustment	(2,866,000)	(3,041,000)
Changes in other assets and liabilities :
Other assets	(1,274,000)	(6,460,000)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	(8,290,000)	(11,888,000)
Net cash provided by operating activities	129,184,000	104,829,000
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Additions to rental property	(31,157,000)	(44,911,000)
Payments to Acquire Real Estate	0	(262,488,000)
Payments to Acquire Interest in Subsidiaries and Affiliates	(57,810,000)	(5,424,000)
Distributions in excess of cumulative earnings from unconsolidated joint ventures	(336,000)	(585,000)
Deposits into escrow for potential acquisition	0	(1,500,000)
Net proceeds from the sale of real estate	0	723,000
Additions to deferred lease costs	(3,430,000)	(9,570,000)
Net cash used in investing activities	(92,061,000)	(322,585,000)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Cash distributions paid	(61,102,000)	(56,395,000)
Partners' Capital Account, Contributions	0	117,539,000
Proceeds from debt issuances	491,477,000	485,350,000
Repayments of debt	(463,705,000)	(330,566,000)
Additions to deferred financing costs	(2,527,000)	(289,000)
Proceeds from exercise of options	372,000	72,000
Net cash used in financing activities	(35,485,000)	215,711,000
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	1,638,000	(2,045,000)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	7,866,000	5,671,000
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$ 9,504,000	$ 3,626,000