SHOPPING AROUND NEW YORK · CHOOSE BEFORE YOU TRAVEL
The biggest saving of an outlet day can be deciding not to visit the wrong outlet. A wonderful discount on a brand you never wear is still an expensive way to fill a suitcase. Start with the stores you want, then choose the journey you are willing to make.
Our quick choice: compare Woodbury Common for a substantial designer-outlet day, Jersey Gardens for enclosed shopping in rain or cold, and Empire Outlets for a shorter stop beside the Staten Island Ferry. Tanger Deer Park and Riverhead are different Long Island destinations, with different travel commitments. No center is always the cheapest.
By Zvi Zidon and the CenterNYC editorial team · Comparison checked October 13, 2026.
Nine shopping destinations, nine different reasons to go
The driving ranges below are broad editorial planning allowances from Manhattan, not live traffic readings or public-transit timetables. Add the journey to the station or terminal, waiting and the return. A two-hour shopping stop is not a two-hour outing.
| Destination | Best reason to consider it | Travel allowance each way |
|---|---|---|
| Woodbury Common | A dedicated day built around your designer-brand shortlist; outdoor streets. | 60–120 minutes by road |
| Jersey Gardens | An enclosed center for a substantial shopping visit. | 45–90 minutes by road |
| Tanger Deer Park | Long Island outlets; a specific rail-and-shuttle option on eligible days. | 60–120 minutes by road |
| Tanger Riverhead | A longer eastern Long Island shopping day. | 90–150 minutes by road |
| Empire Outlets | A shorter shopping stop with a harbor crossing. | Ferry journey plus boarding, terminal access and a short walk |
| Belmont Park Village | Designer boutiques beside UBS Arena. | 45–90 minutes by road |
| Bergen Town Center | A focused Paramus trip mixing outlet and everyday stores. | 40–75 minutes by road |
| Jersey Shore Premium Outlets | A shopping stop when your route already heads toward the shore. | 75–120 minutes by road |
| Jackson Premium Outlets | A targeted shop in the Six Flags area. | 90–120 minutes by road |
Allow roughly four to six shopping hours for a serious Woodbury day, three to five for Jersey Gardens or Riverhead, and one to two for an Empire stop. These are suggested visit lengths: a list of three shops needs a different afternoon from a family replacing a season’s wardrobe.
Woodbury or Jersey Gardens?
Woodbury rewards a plan. Its operator lists more than 245 stores, enough choice to make “we will just walk around” a surprisingly athletic proposal. Mark your must-visit shops on the official directory and map, then arrange a route between them. The outdoor streets can be pleasant in mild weather; in steady rain, the spaces between shops become part of the decision.
Choose it when several of your preferred brands justify making shopping the main event. The Woodbury guide covers store examples, buses from Manhattan, parking, visitor scores and a practical shopping route. Settle the return journey before falling in love with one last jacket.
Jersey Gardens is the weather-friendly alternative. The Mills at Jersey Gardens is an enclosed shopping center in Elizabeth, New Jersey. That makes it easier to move between shops without repeatedly putting on a coat. You still need comfortable shoes: an indoor day can involve plenty of walking.
Use its official store list to compare the actual brands with Woodbury, rather than treating both centers as interchangeable. Our Jersey Gardens guide explains the Manhattan bus option and return planning. Neither destination needs a second outlet added to the same day to make the trip worthwhile.
The two Tangers—and a designer village near the arena
Deer Park is not Riverhead. It sounds obvious until two people in the same group book transport to different ends of Long Island. Deer Park is the closer of these two choices from Manhattan; Riverhead is farther east and asks for a bigger part of the day.
The detail that can decide a car-free trip is Deer Park’s shuttle. The operator currently lists a free connection from Deer Park LIRR station Friday–Sunday, during center hours. It is not a seven-day service. For a Shabbat-observant outing using that shuttle, Sunday is the practical choice; Monday–Thursday requires another station-to-center connection.
Riverhead can make more sense when you are already staying farther east. Compare its own store directory and our Riverhead travel guide. Do not copy Deer Park’s shuttle arrangements into a Riverhead plan.
Belmont Park Village offers another kind of outing: designer boutiques beside UBS Arena, with rail and shuttle details in the individual guide. It is tempting to combine shopping with a concert, but leave time for the transfer and venue entry. Shopping parking and event parking are not automatically the same arrangement.
When you want a few bags, not a whole shopping expedition
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Empire Outlets lets the journey join the fun. The center sits beside St. George’s ferry terminal on Staten Island. Take the free Staten Island Ferry from Lower Manhattan, enjoy the harbor crossing and choose a manageable shopping stop. The current directory matters more here than memories of the opening-day lineup.
Think of it as an add-on to the ferry outing, not a smaller promise of every store at Woodbury. If your favorite shops are there, an hour or two may be enough. If they are not, the waterfront is still there—and you have not committed to a coach journey out of the city.
Bergen Town Center suits a specific list. It mixes outlet stores, discount chains and ordinary retail in Paramus. The crucial calendar detail is that regular shopping is closed on Sunday; choose Monday–Thursday for the simplest Shabbat-observant trip. Our Bergen guide covers the current store mix and separate business-hour exceptions.
Jersey Shore and Jackson work best with the rest of your route. The former is in Tinton Falls; the latter is in the Six Flags area. Both involve outdoor transitions between shops and a substantial trip from Manhattan. They can be useful stops on a wider journey, but a full theme-park day does not magically leave everybody cheerful for three more hours of shopping.
American Dream belongs in a different comparison. It combines shopping and separately ticketed attractions. Choose it when the activities are part of the appeal, and keep their cost separate from the clothing budget; it is not one giant outlet.
The discount is only one line on the receipt
Imagine saving $60 on the items you genuinely wanted, then spending $80 getting the group there and back. The shopping may still have been enjoyable, but the trip did not save money. This is an illustration, not a transport quote. Put fares or fuel, tolls, parking and meals beside the expected purchases before choosing a destination.
At the shop, compare the final price of the actual item, not just the percentage on the sign. An extra 20% off an item already reduced by 30% produces a 44% total reduction—not 50%. Whether two offers can be combined depends on their terms.
Return conditions matter more when you are leaving the country. Ask about final-sale items before paying, keep the receipt, and try on both shoes. For international visitors, luggage space and baggage charges also belong in the calculation. The least photogenic part of a bargain is discovering it needs its own suitcase.
Food, Friday and a day everyone can enjoy
Plan kosher food before leaving Manhattan. A mall directory is not a kosher certificate, and a nearby restaurant can still require a substantial detour. Bring a suitable packed meal or choose a currently certified business through our kosher restaurant guides. Confirm the branch and current supervision.
For Shabbat-observant travelers, Sunday–Thursday outside Jewish holidays is the general planning window; Bergen shopping is the exception because Sunday is closed. Avoid Friday-afternoon outlet trips with a long, traffic-dependent return. A bargain should not turn the journey home into a countdown.
With children or companions who do not love shopping, agree on a finish time and a meeting point. Start with the priority stores, take a real break, and give everyone permission to be finished. Photograph your parking area or bus pickup point before walking away. It may turn out to be the most useful picture of the day.
Frequently asked questions
Which outlet near New York is always cheapest?
None. Prices depend on the item, inventory and current offers. Compare the same product and include the cost of the journey.
Which is better in rain: Woodbury or Jersey Gardens?
Jersey Gardens is enclosed. Woodbury has outdoor streets between stores, so the weather affects the visit more directly.
Can I use the Deer Park station shuttle every day?
No. The operator currently lists Friday–Sunday service during center hours, with holiday variations. Arrange another connection on other days.
Is Empire Outlets the same as Staten Island Mall?
No. Empire Outlets is beside the St. George ferry terminal. Do not use advice about one shopping center as directions to the other.
Is this list ranked by visitor scores?
No. It compares practical fit for different trips. Individual guides show the visitor-rating evidence available for each center; a higher score does not shorten the drive or add your favorite brand.
The best outlet day ends with things you wanted and enough energy to enjoy the evening. Pick one destination that suits the list, rather than building a holiday around the largest SALE sign.
Operator directories and travel information reviewed October 13, 2026; linked destination guides contain detailed hours, transport sources and ratings. Driving and shopping durations are editorial allowances, not live routes. Archival photographs are dated in their captions. This comparison does not claim a personal visit to every center.