Atlanta Outlets: Your Guide to the Best Outlet Malls Near Atlanta, GA

If you’re searching for Atlanta outlets, you’re probably looking for the best places around the city to score deals on brand-name clothing, shoes, home goods, and more. While there aren’t massive outlet centers inside Downtown or Midtown, Atlanta is surrounded by several major outlet malls that locals regularly use for day trips and bargain shopping.

This guide walks you through the main outlet options near Atlanta, what they’re known for, how long it takes to get there, and tips to make your trip easier.

Quick Overview: Major Outlet Malls Near Atlanta

Here’s a simple comparison of the main outlet destinations Atlanta shoppers use:

Drive times depend heavily on traffic, especially on weekdays during rush hours and weekends during busy shopping seasons.

Are There Outlet Malls Inside Atlanta City Limits?

Strictly speaking, large-format outlet malls are not located in the core of Atlanta (Downtown, Midtown, Buckhead). Instead, most outlet centers serving Atlanta are in nearby cities along major interstates.

Inside the city, you’ll find:

• Discount sections and clearance stores attached to regular malls or stand-alone retailers
• Off-price retailers (not true outlets, but often used for bargain hunting)
• Smaller branded factory or sample stores in some shopping centers

If what you want is a traditional outlet mall experience—lots of brand-name outlet stores clustered together—you’ll likely be driving 30–90 minutes outside central Atlanta.

North Georgia Premium Outlets (Dawsonville)

Location:
800 Highway 400 S
Dawsonville, GA 30534

Approx. drive from Downtown Atlanta:
About 45–60 minutes, mainly up GA-400 North (longer during peak traffic).

Why Atlanta Shoppers Go Here

North Georgia Premium Outlets is one of the largest and most well-known outlet centers serving the Atlanta area. It draws people from all over North Georgia and metro Atlanta because of its wide selection of national and designer brands.

Common reasons Atlantans choose this outlet:

• Big variety: Clothing, shoes, accessories, home goods, luggage, athletic wear, kids’ apparel, and more
• Day-trip friendly: Many locals make a half-day or full-day trip out of it, especially on weekends and around holidays
• Tourist-friendly: Easy to reach from popular Atlanta neighborhoods via GA-400

What to Expect

• Outdoor-style center with multiple buildings and sidewalks between stores
• A mix of higher-end brands and standard mall brands offering outlet or factory pricing
• Food options in or around the center for breaks between shopping stops

💡 Tip: Traffic on GA-400 can back up near the outlet during holidays and major sale weekends. Arriving earlier in the morning usually helps with parking and crowds.

The Outlet Shoppes at Atlanta (Woodstock)

Location:
915 Ridgewalk Parkway
Woodstock, GA 30188

Approx. drive from Downtown Atlanta:
About 30–40 minutes, primarily via I-75 North and I-575 North.

Why It’s Popular

The Outlet Shoppes at Atlanta is often considered the closest full-size outlet mall to many parts of Atlanta, especially if you live in:

• Midtown
• Downtown
• Westside
• Northwest metro areas (like Smyrna, Marietta, Kennesaw)

People often choose this outlet when they want:

• Shorter drive time than Dawsonville or Commerce
• A manageable outdoor outlet layout that’s easier to cover in a few hours
• A mix of fashion, sportswear, accessories, and kids’ brands

What to Expect

• Open-air, walkable layout with central plazas and seating
• A range of well-known apparel and shoe brands at outlet prices
• Restaurants and fast-casual options nearby along Ridgewalk Parkway

💡 Tip: If you’re combining this trip with errands, Woodstock and nearby towns along I-575 have plenty of big-box stores, grocery options, and additional shopping centers.

Tanger Outlets Locust Grove (South of Atlanta)

Location:
1000 Tanger Drive
Locust Grove, GA 30248

Approx. drive from Downtown Atlanta:
About 35–50 minutes south via I-75.

Why Southside Shoppers Like It

If you live in or are staying near:

• Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport
• Forest Park, Morrow, Jonesboro
• McDonough, Stockbridge, or other South Metro areas

Tanger Outlets in Locust Grove often offers the most convenient outlet option.

Shoppers typically go here for:

• Family-focused shopping: kids’ clothing, school clothes, athletic wear
• Easy interstate access from I-75
• Day trips that don’t require driving all the way to North Georgia

What to Expect

• A traditional outlet layout with rows of brand-name outlet stores
• Focus on casual wear, sportswear, denim, shoes, and accessories
• Food options on-site and additional chain restaurants nearby along I-75

💡 Tip: I-75 can back up significantly on weekends and during holiday travel. Planning your trip outside peak driving times (early morning or later evening) can reduce time in traffic.

Tanger Outlets Commerce (Northeast of Atlanta)

Location:
800 Steven B. Tanger Boulevard
Commerce, GA 30529

Approx. drive from Downtown Atlanta:
About 1 hour 15–30 minutes northeast via I-85.

Who This Works Best For

Tanger Outlets Commerce is a popular choice if you:

• Live on the northeast side of the metro area (e.g., Gwinnett, Duluth, Lawrenceville)
• Are heading to or from northeast Georgia or South Carolina and want to combine your outlet trip with a longer drive
• Prefer a destination with many clothing and shoe outlet options

What to Expect

• Large complex with multiple sections of brand-name outlets
• Focus on apparel, shoes, accessories, and home basics
• Typically visited as a half-day or full-day trip due to the longer drive from central Atlanta

💡 Tip: Many Atlanta-area residents pair a visit to Commerce with other stops along I-85, especially if they’re already traveling in that direction for college visits, weekend trips, or sporting events.

Smaller and Alternative Outlet-Style Shopping Around Atlanta

While the big outlet malls are outside the city, you can still find discounted and outlet-style shopping options closer to home.

These aren’t always traditional “outlets,” but Atlantans often use them for similar reasons: saving money on brand-name goods.

1. Clearance and Factory Sections in Major Malls

Some Atlanta-area malls and shopping centers include:

• Brand factory stores
• Large clearance/last-season sections within regular stores

Areas to check:

• Lenox Square (Buckhead) and Phipps Plaza – more upscale, but may have sale-heavy sections in certain stores
• Perimeter Mall (Dunwoody) – large selection of national brands with regular clearance racks
• Cumberland Mall (Smyrna/Vinings area) – convenient for northwest metro residents

These are not full outlet malls, but for many shoppers who don’t want to leave the metro area, they can be a good compromise between convenience and savings.

2. Off-Price Retailers (Not True Outlets, but Similar Purpose)

In many parts of Atlanta—Midtown, Buckhead, Decatur, Sandy Springs, and beyond—you’ll find off-price retailers and discount chains that carry:

• Overstocks
• Past-season merchandise
• Brand-name and designer items at reduced prices

They generally don’t function like traditional factory outlet stores, but for most consumers their role is similar: finding deals on recognizable brands without driving far.

Choosing the Best Atlanta Outlet Trip for You

When deciding which “Atlanta outlet” works best, consider:

1. Where You’re Starting From

• North / North Metro (Alpharetta, Roswell, Cumming):
  North Georgia Premium Outlets is typically the most convenient major outlet.

• Northwest Metro (Marietta, Kennesaw, Smyrna):
  The Outlet Shoppes at Atlanta in Woodstock is usually closest.

• East / Northeast Metro (Lawrenceville, Duluth, Snellville):
  Commerce (Tanger Outlets) can be worth the drive if you plan to spend several hours shopping.

• South / South Metro (Jonesboro, Stockbridge, McDonough, near the Airport):
  Tanger Outlets Locust Grove is generally the easiest choice.

2. How Much Time You Have

• A few hours:
  Choose the closest outlet to reduce driving time, or stick to in-town malls and discount stores.

• Half-day or full-day:
  North Georgia Premium Outlets or Tanger Outlets Commerce are more realistic; you’ll have time to walk more of the property and visit multiple stores.

3. What You’re Shopping For

• Back-to-school or family wardrobes:
  Tanger Outlets (Locust Grove or Commerce) and The Outlet Shoppes at Atlanta have plenty of kids’ and athletic brands.

• Designer or premium labels at outlet pricing:
  North Georgia Premium Outlets is often the first choice for designer-focused outlet shoppers in the Atlanta region.

• Quick wardrobe refresh or last-minute pieces:
  In-town malls and discount retailers may be easier than a long outlet drive.

Practical Tips for Outlet Shopping Around Atlanta

To make the most of your outlet trip from Atlanta:

• Check hours before you go.
  Hours can change for holidays, seasonal events, or severe weather.

• Plan around Atlanta traffic.

  • Morning outbound drives (before 9 a.m. on weekends; earlier on weekdays) are often smoother.
  • Return trips on Sunday evenings and holiday weekends can be slower.

• Wear comfortable shoes and bring a light bag.
  All of the major outlets near Atlanta involve a good bit of walking outdoors.

• Set a budget.
  Outlet pricing can feel like a big discount, but it’s easy to overbuy when you see constant “sale” signs.

• Check return policies.
  Outlet and factory store returns may differ from regular retail locations, especially for final sale or clearance items.

• Watch the weather.
  Since most outlets are open-air, summer heat, sudden storms, or cold snaps can affect your comfort. A hat, sunscreen, or light jacket can make a big difference.

Getting Oriented: Atlanta Outlets by Interstate

One simple way to remember your options is to think by interstate corridor:

• I-75 South:
  Tanger Outlets Locust Grove

• I-85 Northeast:
  Tanger Outlets Commerce

• GA-400 North:
  North Georgia Premium Outlets (Dawsonville)

• I-75 / I-575 North:
  The Outlet Shoppes at Atlanta (Woodstock)

This helps if you’re already heading in a particular direction for work trips, weekend getaways, or visits to friends and family outside the city.

If you live in Atlanta or you’re visiting and want that outlet mall experience, you’ll almost always be looking at a short drive outside the city rather than a quick walk from your hotel in Midtown. Once you know which side of the metro you’re on and how much time you have, choosing the right “Atlanta outlet” becomes a straightforward part of planning your day.