This post is about various shopping outlets in and around New York City. All of these can be reached by public transportation.
- Woodbury Commons
- The Mills at Jersey Gardens
- Other Outlets
- Discount Tourist Pass
- NYC on a Budget
- Discount Shopping in NYC
WOODBURY COMMONS
Located in Central Valley just an hour north of New York City, this is arguably the region's most famous outlet shopping center.
Find discounts of 50% or more at over 200 stores selling apparel, footwear, luggage, jewelry, housewares, handbags and so much more!
Many bus and sightseeing companies organize daily trips here, so we dedicated an entire post to it.
We also provide some tips on surviving a day of shopping at Woodbury as well as tips on saving even more money than expected.
If you are considering purchasing a tourist attraction discount pass for your time in NYC, be aware that most passes offer either free or discounted tours to Woodbury.
For example, the Sightseeing Pass includes in in all passes. And if you use code FTBF, you get 15% off of the cost of the pass.
Be sure to also check out Groupon, as they often have discounts on bus tickets to and from Woodbury.
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
It has over 200 stores, including Calvin Klein, Michael Kors, Neiman Marcus Last Call, A/X Armani Exchange Outlet, Banana Republic Factory Store, Nike Factory Store, The Puma Store, Saks Fifth Avenue OFF 5th.
Depending on your shopping needs, we generally advise setting aside at least 4 hours of time at the outlet.
Also, make sure to plan in some extra time for the return during rush hours or on weekends.
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 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 exact 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 is just 20 minutes from Lower Manhattan via the free ride on the Staten Island Ferry.
Empire Outlets opened in 2019 to much fanfare and is one of the most exciting shopping destinations in NYC.
Not only is are the savings fantastic, but the ride there is half the fun!
Amongst the stores are many popular chains including Brooks Brothers Factory Store, Gap Factory Store, Nike Factory Store, Columbia Factory Store, Old Navy Outlet, and Levi’s Outlet. For designer finds, try Nordstrom Rack.
Hours: Every day 10 am - 9 pm (21:00)
Location: 55 Richmond Terrace, Staten Island
Directions: Take the 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 in the ferry terminal.
Use this link to Google Maps to get exact directions from anywhere.
Tanger Outlets in Deer Park, Long Island
This outlet has upscale designer stores 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.
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.
The LIRR sells a discount package that includes a round-trip ticket to the Deer Park Station, a shuttle to/from Tanger Outlets, a voucher to exchange at the outlet for a coupon 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 shops there are Bloomingdale's Outlet, Century 21 Department Store, Elie Tahari Outlet, Gap Factory, Guess Factory Store, J.Crew Factory Outlet, Neiman Marcus Last Call, Nike Factory Store, Nordstrom Rack, Saks Fifth Avenue OFF 5TH, and Tommy Hilfiger.
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. It has many outlet stores for familiar brands like Gap, Express, Banana Republic, and Ann Taylor.
For designer discounts, there is a Century 21, Nordstrom's Rack, TJ Maxx, and a Macy's.
When you are done shopping, you can get a massive slice of the best cheesecake in NYC at the famous Juniors.
Hours: Vary by store. See a directory of shops here.
Location: This district is located between Fulton Street from Adams Street to Flatbush Avenue.
Directions: Subways 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!
