If you plan on shopping in NYC and want to save money, this post will lead you to the best shopping outlets.
When I lead local walking tours here in NYC, many guests ask me about shopping outlets in the city or nearby.
As a native New Yorker who has been budget shopping for decades, I can tell them where they can find quality clothes, home décor and more at low prices.
In this post, I share this information with you.
Below is a list of shopping outlets in and around New York City, all of which can be reached by public transportation.
- Woodbury Commons
- The Mills at Jersey Gardens
- Other Outlets
- Concession Tourist Pass
- NYC on a Budget
- Budget Shopping in NYC
WOODBURY COMMON PREMIUM OUTLETS
Located in Central Valley just an hour north of New York City, this is one of the best outlet malls near the city.
I head out to Woodbury a few times a year because the savings are great.
You'll find 50% or more at 200 retailers selling apparel, footwear, accessories, luggage, jewelry, housewares, handbags and so much more!
Many bus and sightseeing companies organize day trips here and in our in-depth post on Woodbury Common you can find out about these trip.
In that post, I also cover tips on how to save more money than expected and how to survive a full day of shopping at Woodbury.
If you are considering purchasing an NYC tourist attraction concession pass, you can take advantage of free or discount trips to Woodbury.
For example, the Sightseeing Pass includes this trip in all their passes. You can save even more if you use code FTBF, you get 15% off of the cost of the pass.
Be sure to check out Groupon, as they often have deals on bus tickets to Woodbury Common Outlet.
Hours: Daily 10 am - 9 pm (21:00)
Location: 498 Red Apple Ct, Central Valley, NY 10917
Directions: See our in-depth post for this information.
THE MILLS AT JERSEY GARDEN
This is one of the premier New York shopping outlets. By bus from Port Authority, it is only a 45-minute ride.
Besides the fact that this outlet mall has over 200 stores, I also like that it has both name-brand stores and luxury brands.
Just a handful include Calvin Klein, Michael Kors, Neiman Marcus Last Call, A/X Armani Exchange Outlet, Banana Republic Factory Store, Nike Factory Store, Adidas, Sephora, The Puma Store, Saks Fifth Avenue OFF 5th.
Depending on how much shopping you want to do, I suggest that you give yourself at least 4 hours at this outlet.
In this amount of time, you'll be able to eat at the food court and catch your breath from the work of saving money!
Be sure to give yourself extra time if you are heading to the Mills on a weekend day or during the midweek rush hours (8 am to 10 am and 5 pm to & 7 pm).
Hours: Mon-Sat 10 am - 9 pm (21:00), Sunday 11 am - 7 pm (19:00)
Location: 651 Kapkowski Road, Elizabeth, NJ 07201 (map)
Directions: Take the New Jersey Transit Bus Number 111 or 115 from the New York Port Authority Bus Terminal at 8th Avenue.
Buses go daily, several times per hour, and take about 45 minutes each way. Here is the schedule for bus # 111.
Tickets are $7 each way. Buy your ticket in advance either at the ticket machines or at ticket windows. Your destination will be "Elizabeth (Jersey Gardens)".
See the NJ Transit website for more information.
For directions from anywhere, use this link to Google Maps.
EMPIRE OUTLETS IN STATEN ISLAND
This is currently the ONLY outlet mall in New York City and it's just 20 minutes from Lower Manhattan via the free ride on the Staten Island Ferry.
Empire Outlets has popular chains including Gap, Nike, Banana Republic, Old Navy, H&M, Guess, and Levi’s.
I have to say that I wouldn't make a special trip to this outlet because there are not that many stores, but if you are planning to ride the free Staten Island ferry (you should!), you can walk over to the outlet and check it out.
If you do go, you can grab an amazing burger at Shake Shack and a classic New York hot dog at Nathan's!
Hours: Mon-Sat 10:00 am to 8:00 pm; Sun 11:00 am to 8:00 pm, Check the website as hours may vary for holidays.
Location: 55 Richmond Terrace, Staten Island
Directions: Take the free Staten Island Ferry from Lower Manhattan. See our post on taking the Staten Island Ferry.
Once you arrive in Staten Island, Empire Outlets is just a 5-minute walk. Follow the signs at the ferry terminal.
Use this link to Google Maps to get directions from anywhere.
Tanger Outlets in Deer Park, Long Island
This outlet is worth the trip to Long Island for its long list of shops. I like having the option to look at familiar chain stores and upscale shops.
The list of upscale stores is impressive!
Shop for Calvin Klein, Coach, Cole Haan, GUESS, J.Crew, Kate Spade, Last Call by Neiman Marcus, Lucky Brand, Michael Kors, Perry Ellis, Polo Ralph Lauren, Saks Fifth Avenue OFF 5TH, Stuart Weitzman, Tommy Hilfiger and many more.
For the list of all stores including chain stores, see the directory of shops.
It is easy to get here without a car, though it does take about 90 minutes each way.
Hours: Monday - Saturday, 9 am - 9 pm (21:00), Sunday 10 am - 8 pm (20:00)
Location: 152 The Arches Circle, Deer Park, NY
Directions: If you do not have a car, you can reach this mall by the Long Island Railroad (LIRR) which departs from Penn Station in Midtown Manhattan (directions).
Occasionally, the LIRR sells a promo package that includes a round-trip ticket to the Deer Park Station, a shuttle to/from Tanger Outlet, and a voucher to exchange at the outlet for a promo book worth hundreds of dollars in additional savings.
If you are driving, here are directions.
The Outlets at Bergen Town Center
This outlet has well over 100 stores, both high-end and low-end.
Just a few of the outlet shops there are Bloomingdale's, Nordstrom Rack, Saks OFF 5TH, Gap Factory, Guess Factory Store, J.Crew, Nike, Tommy Hilfiger and more.
To be honest, I don't bother to go to this mall because the low number of apparel shops doesn't make the hour-long trip on public transportation worth it.
If you have a car you may want to check it out.
Hours: Monday - Saturday 10 am - 9:30 pm (21:30); Closed Sunday.
Location: Route 4 East and Forest Avenue, Paramus New Jersey
Directions: NJ Transit buses leave from Port Authority Bus Terminal at 8th Avenue and 42nd Street. Take bus #168 to stop "Paramus (Bergen Town Center)".
Click here for #168 schedule. Click here for directions by car.
For more information on directions see their website.
Fulton Mall
This is an outdoor shopping district right next to Brooklyn Heights. I live near here and I shop several times a month.
It has many outlet stores for familiar brands like Gap, Express, American Eagle, Banana Republic, and Ann Taylor.
Plus, you'll find non-outlet shops such as Old Navy, H&M, Aldo, Steve Madden, Primark, Target, Sephora and other familiar chains.
If you are looking for sneakers, Fulton Mall is the place to go! In just a few streets you'll find a dozen sneaker shops so you can compare prices.
Also, if you find a pair you like but they don't have your size, just go to one of the other sneaker shops!
See a directory of shops here.
When you are done shopping, you can get a massive slice of the best cheesecake in NYC at the famous Juniors.
TIP: If you want to hear some Gospel music, the famous Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir is here.
Hours: Varies by store.
Location: This district is located in Downtown Brooklyn along Fulton Street from Jay Street to Flatbush Avenue.
Directions: Use this link to Google Maps to get directions from anywhere.
TIP: The entrance to the walkway on the Brooklyn Bridge is just 15 minutes away. It's a nice alternative to the subway.
See our guide to walking the Brooklyn Bridge. We also offer a pay-what-you-wish walking tour of Brooklyn Heights.
Thrift and Vintage Stores
If you are looking for budget-friendly thrift and Vintage stores in New York City, check out our Gramercy Thrift and Vintage Shopping Day tour or our East Village Vintage & Boutiques tour!
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