Debt of the Operating Partnership (Schedule of Debt) (Details) (Tanger Properties Limited Partnership [Member], USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	1 Months Ended	9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal		$ 1,451,316		$ 1,330,398
Premium (Discount), Net		(2,328)		(2,349)
Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Premium (Discount), Net		(5,271)		(5,752)
Senior Notes [Member] | 6.15% Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Stated Interest Rate(s)		6.15%		6.15%
Principal		250,000		250,000
Discount		(128)		(211)
Senior Notes [Member] | 6.125% Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Stated Interest Rate(s)		6.125%		6.125%
Principal		300,000		300,000
Discount		(1,325)		(1,469)
Senior Notes [Member] | 3.875% Senior Notes [Member] [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Stated Interest Rate(s)		3.875%		3.875%
Principal		250,000		250,000
Discount		(3,818)		(4,072)
Mortgages Payable [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Premium (Discount), Net		3,224		3,799
Mortgages Payable [Member] | Atlantic City Outlets The Walk [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Stated Interest Rate(s), Minimum		5.14%	[1]	5.14%	[1]
Stated Interest Rate(s), Maximum		7.65%	[1]	7.65%	[1]
Principal		46,645	[1]	48,535	[1]
Premium		3,793	[1]	4,091	[1]
Mortgages Payable [Member] | Deer Park [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate		1.50%		1.50%
Principal		150,000		150,000
Discount		(1,240)		(1,478)
Mortgages Payable [Member] | The Outlets at Hershey [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Stated Interest Rate(s), Minimum		5.17%	[1]	5.17%	[1]
Stated Interest Rate(s), Maximum		8.00%	[1]	8.00%	[1]
Principal		29,450	[1]	29,970	[1]
Premium		548	[1]	993	[1]
Mortgages Payable [Member] | Ocean City Factory Outlets [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Stated Interest Rate(s)		5.24%	[1]	5.24%	[1]
Principal		17,921	[1]	18,193	[1]
Premium		123	[1]	193	[1]
Notes Payable [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Stated Interest Rate(s)		1.50%	[1]	1.50%	[1]
Principal		10,000	[1]	10,000	[1]
Discount		(281)	[1]	(396)	[1]
Unsecured Term Loan [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate	1.05%	1.05%		1.60%
Principal		250,000		250,000
Discount		0		0
Unsecured Term Note [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate		1.30%		1.30%
Principal		7,500		7,500
Discount		0		0
Line of Credit [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate		1.00%		1.00%
Principal		139,800		16,200
Discount		$ 0		$ 0

[1] The effective interest rates assigned during the purchase price allocation to these assumed mortgages and note payable during acquisitions in 2011 were as follows: Atlantic City 5.05%, Ocean City 4.68%, Hershey 3.40% and note payable 3.15%.