I made a quick stop at Tanger Outlets in Riverhead last weekend on my way out to Westhampton, and it reminded me how much I love a good outlet run when done right. Because here’s the thing: Tanger can either be a magical afternoon of scoring deals, or a sweaty, overwhelming mess where you leave with one candle and a headache.
The difference is knowing a few tricks before you go. Riverhead is the perfect spot to hit if you’re already heading east toward the Hamptons, It’s right off the Long Island Expressway, so you can pop in, grab some deals, and keep moving. Here are my 10 tips to make the most of it.
1. Download the Tanger app before you leave the house
This is the first thing I’d tell anyone. The Tanger app puts all your coupons, deals, and rewards in one place, so you’re not digging through emails in the parking lot. You can even upload your receipts right in the app to earn points and get entered into their giveaways. Do this from your couch the night before, not while you’re standing in line.
2. Sign up for TangerClub (the free version is plenty)
TangerClub is their rewards program, and the basic Blue tier is completely free. That alone gets you exclusive deals and points you can redeem. If you’re a serious outlet shopper, there’s a Gold tier for $20 a year that unlocks deeper discounts and bigger perks. For most of us, the free version does the trick. Just know each deal can usually only be used once per day, so plan your stops.
3. Check the events page before you drive out
Before you go, take two minutes to look at the Tanger website and their Riverhead Facebook page. They’re always running something. Whether it’s sidewalk sales, seasonal events, sweepstakes, gift-card-with-purchase deals. I’ve shown up before having no idea there was a big promotion happening, and I’ve also shown up right in the middle of one and cleaned up. Be the second person.
4. Go during off-hours if you can
If you have any flexibility, shop on a weekday morning right when they open. The stores are quiet, the parking lot is empty, and the staff actually have time to help you find your size in the back. Weekend afternoons in summer? That’s when half of Long Island is out there with the same idea. A calm shopping trip is its own kind of self-care.
5. Have a game plan before you walk in
Tanger Riverhead is big! It’s spread across two sections. So, wandering with no plan is how you burn two hours and miss the stores you actually came for. Pull up the store directory in the app, pick your top 3 or 4 must-visit shops, and start there. Anything after that is a bonus. And wear comfortable shoes. Trust me on that one.
6. Stack your savings
This is where the real deals happen. You’re already getting the outlet price, but you can often stack it with an app coupon AND hit the store’s own clearance rack on top of that. I’ve walked out of stores paying a fraction of the tag price just by checking all three. Always look for the clearance section in the back corner because that’s where the magic is.
7. Ask at checkout (and sign up for store texts)
Don’t be shy at the register. Ask if there’s a coupon you’re missing, a birthday discount, or a sign-up offer. A lot of stores will hand you 10–15% off just for joining their texts or email list right there. If there’s a store you love, signing up for their alerts means you’ll know about sales before you even leave home.
8. Bring your own bags and know the return rules
Bring a reusable tote or two. Your arms will thank you, and you’ll save on bag fees at some shops. Also, a quick heads up: outlet store return policies can be different from the regular mall stores, and some sales are final. Glance at the receipt before you toss it, especially on clearance stuff.
9. Time it with the big seasonal sales
The best prices show up around end-of-season clearance and holiday weekends. Tanger goes all out for events like Black Friday, sometimes opening before dawn with special hours and gift cards for new members. Just know the trade-off: the deals are amazing, but you’ll be sharing the place with a LOT of people. Decide what matters more to you that day. Is it the savings or the sanity?
10. Make a day of it and eat nearby
Riverhead has way more than just the outlets, so build a little meal into your trip. If you just need a quick bite mid-shop, the food court inside has about 8 spots to grab something quick, like pretzels, cookies, and Philly cheesesteaks.
But if you want to sit down and actually enjoy yourself, here are some local favorites near the outlets:
- Funcho’s — a longtime East End spot for Mexican food and mezcal cocktails. Great for a fun, casual lunch.
- Bistro 72 (at Hotel Indigo) — farm-to-table American with live music on the weekends if you’re making it a date.
- Jerry and the Mermaid — casual waterfront seafood, super relaxed, known for staying open late.
- Tweed’s Restaurant — an old-school steakhouse in downtown Riverhead, perfect before or after a show at The Suffolk.
- The Birchwood of Polish Town — cozy, nostalgic, and the pierogi are worth the trip alone.
- Farm Country Kitchen — comfort food right along the Peconic River.
The bottom line: Download the app, join the free club, go when it’s quiet, and don’t leave without grabbing a bite. Do those four things, and Tanger Riverhead goes from “overwhelming” to one of the easiest good days you can have on Long Island, especially when it’s just the warm-up to a Hamptons afternoon.