New Jersey is one of the best shopping states in the US — zero sales tax on clothing and footwear, 30+ malls and outlet centers, and easy access from NYC and Philly. Whether you want luxury brands, deep outlet discounts, or a full family day out, there’s a perfect NJ mall for every shopper. This guide covers the best by category.
Best Overall Mall: American Dream
450+ stores, Nickelodeon Universe, DreamWorks Water Park, Big SNOW ski slope, and SEA LIFE Aquarium. The Western Hemisphere’s largest entertainment and retail complex in East Rutherford. Open daily — it’s the ultimate destination if you want shopping, entertainment, and attractions all in one place.
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Biggest Traditional Mall: Westfield Garden State Plaza
300+ stores in Paramus, anchored by Nordstrom, Macy’s, and Bloomingdale’s. NJ’s largest traditional indoor mall with everything from fashion to home goods. Open Mon–Sat (Bergen County Blue Laws close retail on Sundays).
Best Luxury Mall: The Mall at Short Hills
160+ stores featuring Nordstrom, Bloomingdale’s, Dior, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, and Hermès. Consistently ranked top-5 luxury mall in the US. If you’re shopping for designer brands and a sophisticated experience, Short Hills delivers.
Best Designer Outlet: Woodbury Common Premium Outlets
250+ factory stores at 25–65% off in Central Valley, NY (45 minutes from Bergen County). Burberry, Coach, Gucci, Prada, Versace, and Yeezy. We’ve found that serious outlet shoppers make the drive — the savings are substantial.
Best for NYC Day-Trippers: The Mills at Jersey Gardens
Just off NJ Turnpike Exit 13A, roughly 20 minutes from Manhattan. 230+ stores including Bloomingdale’s Outlet and Burlington. Elizabeth is a UEZ (Urban Enterprise Zone) — that means reduced sales tax on most goods. Plus, there’s an AMC 20-screen IMAX theater for after you shop.
Best South Jersey Mall: Cherry Hill Mall
The largest mall in South Jersey with 130+ stores including Nordstrom, Macy’s, and JCPenney. Great access from Philadelphia (just 8 miles). It’s the go-to for Philadelphia-area shoppers who want a full mall experience.
Best Family Mall: Palisades Center
Open 7 days including Sundays — perfect for Bergen County shoppers blocked by Blue Laws. 200+ stores in West Nyack, NY, plus AMC Palisades 21, K1 Speed go-karts, an indoor ice rink, and Lucky Strike bowling. You’ll spend the whole day here.
Best Outlet Center in South NJ: Gloucester Premium Outlets
90+ factory stores at 25–65% off in Blackwood, in an open-air village setting. The closest outlet to Philadelphia. It’s a smaller, more relaxed experience than the mega-complexes, but don’t overlook it.
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Best Jersey Shore Outlet: Jersey Shore Premium Outlets
120+ stores in Tinton Falls — perfect to combine with a beach trip. Nike, Coach, Under Armour, Sperry, Kate Spade, and more. Pro tip: hit the outlets in the morning, then enjoy the Jersey Shore in the afternoon.
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Why Shop New Jersey?
- Zero sales tax on clothing and footwear (huge savings vs. NYC and PA)
- One of the highest densities of malls and outlets per square mile in the US
- Easy access from NYC (multiple NJ Turnpike exits, NJ Transit, and buses)
- 130+ miles of Atlantic coastline to combine with a shopping trip
- More diners per capita than any other US state — perfect after a mall day
Mall Near Me — Find Your Closest NJ Mall
Can’t decide? We’ve got an interactive map covering 30+ malls and outlets across North, Central, and South Jersey, plus nearby options in New York and Pennsylvania. Visit the interactive mall map to find the closest one to you.
Pro tip: New Jersey charges zero sales tax on clothing and shoes — that’s an instant 6.625% saving compared to shopping in NYC or PA. On a $500 shopping trip, that’s over $33 back in your pocket.
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