The Best Outlets Near New York Worth the Drive
Six outlet centers within a day trip of Manhattan — from the luxury-heavy village in the Hudson Valley to the big New Jersey mall that’s half an hour from Midtown.
Outlet shopping is one of the most popular day trips from New York, and for good reason: brand-name and designer pieces at a steep discount, all in one place, and most of it a short ride from Midtown. The catch is getting there — buses fill up, trains don’t run to the door, and a bag-heavy ride back is nobody’s idea of a good time.
These are the six we’d point a visitor to first, ordered roughly by how often our clients ask about them. Hours, store lists and sales change, so check each center’s site before you go.
Tax tip: most clothing and shoes are exempt from New Jersey sales tax, which adds to the savings at Jersey Gardens, Bergen Town Center and Jersey Shore Premium Outlets.
Wikimedia CommonsWoodbury Common Premium Outlets
The one most visitors have heard of. More than 220 stores in an outdoor, village-style center, with a deep roster of designer labels alongside everyday brands like Nike, Polo Ralph Lauren and Michael Kors. It is the biggest and best-known outlet center in the region, so it rewards a full day.
- Pick up the VIP coupon book at the information desk — ask for it as soon as you arrive.
- Arrive at opening and go on a weekday if you can; weekends fill the lots and the luxury stores can have lines.
- Built for international visitors: the center offers interpreters, currency exchange and shipping abroad if you can’t carry it all.
Wikimedia CommonsThe Mills at Jersey Gardens
New Jersey’s largest outlet center, with 200-plus stores under one roof — Saks Fifth Avenue OFF 5TH, Bloomingdale’s The Outlet Store, Nike, Coach, Tory Burch, Primark and Sephora among them. It is the closest big outlet to Manhattan.
- Clothing and shoes are exempt from New Jersey sales tax, which adds to the discount.
- Fully indoors, so it works on a rainy or freezing day — and there is a large cinema on site.
- The pick-up and drop-off zone is outside Entrances D and E — tell your driver which entrance you’ll use.
Wikimedia CommonsThe Outlets at Bergen Town Center
Around 100 stores with a more everyday mix — a Bloomingdale’s outlet, Target, HomeGoods and Whole Foods alongside plenty of apparel. Less of a destination than Woodbury, but easy to fit between a morning in the city and an afternoon flight.
- New Jersey doesn’t charge sales tax on most clothing and shoes, so everyday wardrobe buys go further here.
- A good fit when you mostly need practical items — clothes, shoes, home goods — rather than designer labels.
- Short drive from Midtown, so it works as a two-hour stop rather than a full day.
Wikimedia CommonsTanger Outlets Deer Park
A Long Island outlet center with brands including Calvin Klein, Adidas, Coach, Kate Spade and Nike, plus a movie theater on site. A sensible pick if you are already heading out to the island.
- Check the center’s website for current coupons and offers before you go — it is worth a minute on your phone.
- Long Island Expressway traffic swings widely; a mid-morning start usually beats the worst of it.
- The on-site theater makes it easy to split up a mixed group.
Wikimedia CommonsTanger Outlets Riverhead
Over 100 stores — Coach, Adidas, Brooks Brothers Factory Store, H&M — at the gateway to the North Fork. It pairs naturally with the area’s wineries and farm stands, which makes it more of a full-day outing than a shopping run.
- Check the center’s website for current coupons and hours — hours here are shorter on Sundays.
- Combine it with a winery stop and plan your return so you’re back in the city for dinner.
- The longest drive on this list — a private car lets you rest on the way back.
Wikimedia CommonsJersey Shore Premium Outlets
A Premium Outlets center near the Jersey Shore with brands including Adidas, Burberry, Michael Kors and Under Armour. It makes a natural summer combo: shop in the morning, beach in the afternoon.
- Clothing and shoes are generally exempt from New Jersey sales tax.
- Check the center’s store directory before you commit — lineups here change more than at the larger centers.
- Bring beach clothes and shop in the morning; the shore is a short drive away.
Shop the Day, Skip the Bus
A private chauffeur takes you door to door in a black car or SUV, waits while you shop, and loads the bags — no bus schedules, no hauling shopping across a train platform.
Book Your Outlet Day