Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Quarterly Financial Data of the Company (Unaudited) (Details)

v3.8.0.1
Quarterly Financial Data of the Company (Unaudited) (Details) - USD ($)
$ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands
 1 Months Ended 3 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2016
Aug. 31, 2016
Jun. 30, 2016
Jan. 31, 2016
Dec. 31, 2017
Sep. 30, 2017
Jun. 30, 2017
Mar. 31, 2017
Dec. 31, 2016
Sep. 30, 2016
Jun. 30, 2016
Mar. 31, 2016
Dec. 31, 2017
Dec. 31, 2016
Dec. 31, 2015
Tanger Factory Outlet Centers, Inc. [Member]                              
Entity Information [Line Items]                              
Total revenues         $ 126,487 $ 120,765 $ 119,614 $ 121,368 $ 124,559 $ 119,137 $ 111,333 $ 110,805 $ 488,234 $ 465,834 $ 439,369
Operating income         43,599 41,383 38,093 37,648 38,263 39,875 38,340 34,799 160,723 151,277 144,461
Net income (loss)         33,449 (16,034) 30,947 23,514 25,636 72,774 77,302 28,617 71,876 204,329 222,168
Net income attributable to Tanger Factory Outlet Centers, Inc.         31,495 (15,219) 29,390 22,336 24,073 69,104 73,417 27,150 68,002 193,744 211,200
Income (loss) available to common shareholders of Tanger Factory Outlet Centers, Inc.         $ 31,193 $ (15,525) $ 29,084 $ 22,041 $ 23,793 $ 68,477 $ 72,692 $ 26,856 $ 66,793 $ 191,818 $ 208,792
Basic earnings per common share:                              
Net income (in dollars per share)         $ 0.33 $ (0.17) $ 0.31 $ 0.23 $ 0.25 $ 0.72 $ 0.76 $ 0.28 $ 0.71 $ 2.02 $ 2.20
Diluted earnings per common share:                              
Net income (in dollars per share)         $ 0.33 $ (0.17) $ 0.31 $ 0.23 $ 0.25 $ 0.72 $ 0.76 $ 0.28 $ 0.71 $ 2.01 $ 2.20
Gain on sale of assets and interests in unconsolidated entities             $ 6,900           $ 6,943 $ 6,305 $ 120,447
Loss on early extinguishment of debt           $ 35,600             35,626 0 0
Gain on previously held interest in acquired joint ventures                         0 95,516 0
Unconsolidated Properties [Member]                              
Entity Information [Line Items]                              
Total revenues                         96,776 106,766 106,042
Operating income                         13,715 28,073 30,316
Net income (loss)                         3,421 19,133 21,661
Unconsolidated Properties [Member] | Bromont and Les Factories St. Sauveur [Member]                              
Diluted earnings per common share:                              
Company's share of impairment charge                         $ 9,000    
Unconsolidated Properties [Member] | Bromont and Les Factories St. Sauveur [Member] | Tanger Factory Outlet Centers, Inc. [Member]                              
Diluted earnings per common share:                              
Company's share of impairment charge           $ 9,000                  
Disposal Group, Disposed of by Sale, Not Discontinued Operations [Member]                              
Diluted earnings per common share:                              
Gain on sale of assets and interests in unconsolidated entities                           $ 6,305 $ 106,721
Fort Myers [Member] | Disposal Group, Disposed of by Sale, Not Discontinued Operations [Member]                              
Diluted earnings per common share:                              
Gain on sale of assets and interests in unconsolidated entities       $ 4,887                      
Fort Myers [Member] | Disposal Group, Disposed of by Sale, Not Discontinued Operations [Member] | Tanger Factory Outlet Centers, Inc. [Member]                              
Diluted earnings per common share:                              
Gain on sale of assets and interests in unconsolidated entities                       $ 4,900      
Myrtle Beach Hwy 501 [Member] | Disposal Group, Disposed of by Sale, Not Discontinued Operations [Member]                              
Diluted earnings per common share:                              
Gain on sale of assets and interests in unconsolidated entities $ 1,418                            
Myrtle Beach Hwy 501 [Member] | Disposal Group, Disposed of by Sale, Not Discontinued Operations [Member] | Tanger Factory Outlet Centers, Inc. [Member]                              
Diluted earnings per common share:                              
Gain on sale of assets and interests in unconsolidated entities                   $ 1,400          
Westgate [Member]                              
Diluted earnings per common share:                              
Gain on previously held interest in acquired joint ventures     $ 49,300                        
Westgate [Member] | Tanger Factory Outlet Centers, Inc. [Member]                              
Diluted earnings per common share:                              
Gain on previously held interest in acquired joint ventures                     $ 49,300        
Savannah [Member]                              
Diluted earnings per common share:                              
Gain on previously held interest in acquired joint ventures   $ 46,300                          
Savannah [Member] | Tanger Factory Outlet Centers, Inc. [Member]                              
Diluted earnings per common share:                              
Gain on previously held interest in acquired joint ventures                   $ 46,300