Guide to Holiday Shopping in New Jersey

It’s that time of year again, to be making a list and checking it twice—yes, for holiday gifts! From discount stores to mega-malls to local boutiques, New Jersey has plenty of options for your holly jolly shopping trip. 

OUTLET MALLS

Visitors looking to save money on holiday gifts don’t have to go far to find great deals on everything from clothing and housewares to specialty foods and more—just head to one of the many outlets in New Jersey. In Atlantic City, shop more than 60 brands at the Tanger Outlets—and pay only a fraction of the retail price. Just a fruitcake’s throw away are the new Gloucester Premium Outlets in Blackwood, offering over 90 stores with savings of up to 65 percent.

A bit farther north, you’ll find more than 125 outlets to shop in Tinton Falls at Jersey Shore Premium Outlets, from Adidas to Zumiez. Less than 30 minutes away, Jackson Premium Outlets feature 70 stores selling everything from apparel and accessories to home goods and personal care. The shops at Bergen Town Center in Paramus include deals at Bloomingdale’s The Outlet Store, Saks OFF 5TH and Nordstrom Rack, just to name a few.

And the biggest of them all? Try The Mills at Jersey Gardens in Elizabeth, a sprawling indoor outlet mall—perfect for escaping the cold winter weather—with a 20-screen movie theater and more than 200 stores, including the largest from Tommy Hilfiger.
 

SHOPPING MALLS

For a traditional mall experience, visit the three-level Newport Centre in Jersey City for more than 130 stores (from H&M and Forever 21 to Coach and Michael Kors), including four department stores.

At Cherry Hill Mall, find the perfect gift for everyone on your list, whether you're shopping for a tech junkie (Apple), a beauty queen (MAC Cosmetics and Sephora), a fitness guru (Peloton and lululemon athletica), a fashionista (Zara and Nordstrom) or a dapper gentleman (Hugo Boss).

With stores like American Eagle, Game Stop, Build-A-Bear Workshop, Hollister and more, it's easy to find the perfect present for kids and teens at Menlo Park Mall in Edison. And label lovers won’t want to miss the luxury shopping experience at Westfield Garden State Plaza in Paramus. Just drop off your car at valet parking and peruse high-end shops like Tiffany & Co., Louis Vuitton, Neiman Marcus and many more.

Of course, if you prefer to supplement your shopping trip with the family-friendly thrills and chills of themed indoor amusement and water parks, American Dream in East Rutherford—the area’s ultimate retail, entertainment and dining mega-complex—is your dream destination. From fast fashion to high fashion and playful toys to serious tech, you can check off every single person on your gift list here.
 

LOCAL BOUTIQUES

For a charming holiday shopping experience unlike any other, stroll along the main streets of New Jersey’s small towns, such as Cape May or Historic Smithville, where you’ll find quaint boutiques, locally-owned shops and unique gift stores.

The Main Street of Boonton features a one-of-a-kind retail experience within a historic downtown district that hosts special shopping events throughout the year.
 

Shop Smart: Before grabbing your list and dashing out the door for your gift-buying extravaganza, be sure to check out the official website or social media channels for the outlet center, shopping mall or downtown district of your choosing to review the latest hours of operation and visitor info. To discover even more things to do in New Jersey, download our Official Travel Guide—it’s free.