Best Outlets in New England
From tax-free shopping in New Hampshire to splurging in Connecticut, here’s our list of the best outlets in New England. These malls won’t disappoint!
By Yankee Magazine|May 17 2022|
Enjoy tax-free shopping at the Merrimack Premium Outlets in Merrimack, New Hampshire.
Photo Credit: Aimee TuckerIn need of a new wardrobe but short on cash? Fear not! With this list of the best outlets in New England, you can meet all your shopping needs in one stop, while scoring the best bargains out there. Fashion crisis (and financial crisis) averted. From tax-free shopping in New Hampshire to splurging in Connecticut, these best outlets in New England have got you covered!
Best Outlets in New England | Connecticut Outlets
Clinton Crossing Premium Outlets │ Clinton, CT
Devour a day in a flash as you browse through the 70 upscale stores, including Saks Fifth Avenue, J.Crew, and Brooks Brothers. You can pick up everything from designer fashions and sportswear to fine leather and luggage.
10-9. 20-A Killingworth Tnpk., exit 63 off I-95, Clinton.
Tanger Outlets Foxwoods │ Mashantucket, CT
Wondering what to do with all that cash you won at the casino? Pay a visit to the Tanger Outlets Foxwoods and you’ll have no trouble spending it all! The mall boasts a wide range of footwear, apparel, and specialty stores — all entirely indoors and perfect for completely weather-independent shopping.
455 Trolley Line Boulevard, Mashantucket.
Best Outlets in New England | Maine Outlets
Kittery Outlets │ Kittery, ME
Everybody knows about L.L. Bean and Freeport, but if you’re in the mood for a shorter drive, check out Kittery’s 120-plus brand-name designer outlets just over the border from New Hampshire. Drive Route 1 from outlet to outlet to shop favorites such as Gap, Eddie Bauer, Nautica, Banana Republic, and Crate & Barrel. Don’t miss the Kittery Trading Post (it’s hard to miss, really), with three floors of outdoor recreational equipment, clothing, and footwear. After shopping, explore the rest of beautiful Kittery Point.
Rte. 1, Kittery.
Best Outlets in New England | Massachusetts Outlets
Lee Premium Outlets │ Lee, MA
Tommy Hilfiger, Lacoste, Under Armour, and specialty food makers Harry and David are just a few of the stores that the Berkshires can boast. Many shoppers flock toward the great savings in this center, which is located only an hour’s drive from Hartford and two hours from Boston.
50 Water St., Lee.
Wrentham Village Premium Outlets │ Wrentham, MA
Although this outlet center is not really in Rhode Island, it might as well be, because it’s right on the border. Styled to look like a New England village, the center’s 170 outlet stores offer the cream of the crop, while landscaped courtyards provide places to rest weary feet (there’s Nike and Nine West to cure that ailment, too). Save at stores such as Burberry, Calvin Klein, Guess, Restoration Hardware, and Vineyard Vines.
Rte. 1A, Wrentham.
Photo Credit : Aimee Tucker
Best Outlets in New England | New Hampshire Outlets
Merrimack Premium Outlets │ Merrimack, NH
The best part about shopping in New Hampshire is that everything is sales tax–free! The Merrimack Outlets are a huge, outdoor shopping mall with more than 100 premium and diverse retailers. The mall also features a large food court, as well as outdoor seating areas for summertime sunbathing.
80 Premium Outlets Blvd., Merrimack.
Settlers Green Outlet Village │ North Conway, NH
Even the White Mountains aren’t safe from quality shopping! In addition to the many upscale fashion stores at Settlers Green, the nearby Settlers Crossing features many of New England’s classic brands, like L.L. Bean and Eastern Mountain Sports. For a break from shopping, check out the Conway Scenic Railroad while you’re in the North Conway area!
Rte. 16, North Conway.
Tanger Outlets Tilton │ Tilton, NH
Big names such as Rue21, Van Heusen, and Coach; foot-wear selections such as Bass and Skechers; and home-furnishing gems like Kitchen Collection make this an outlet center not to miss.
120 Laconia Rd., Tilton.
Best Outlets in New England | Vermont Outlets
Manchester Premium Outlets │ Manchester Center, VT
At the Manchester Premium Outlets, you’ll find more than 40 designer retailers, like LOFT, Crabtree & Evelyn, and Clarks Bostonian. The stores are spread along Manchester Center’s main drag, giving it more of a small town shopping feel.
97 Depot St., Manchester Center.
With all of these great outlet stores, you can get out and get shopping. It’s a perfect activity for a rainy spring day. But since most outlet shopping malls let you catch a little fresh air between stores, you’ll have an excuse to go on a sunny day, too.
What are your picks for the best outlets in New England?
This post was first published in 2015 and has been updated.
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I would like to know about independent outlets where the product is still made and you can purchase at a reduced rate. Example in East Boston, MA, Sterlingwear who makes peacoats for the U.S. Navy or Museum Facsmiles in Pittsfield, MA that is an outlet for their beautiful cards and picture frames. Think about the little companies that would be fun to buy from.
Right on brother, outlet malls are just another way to say retail store.
Let me add to that… Lamson Sharp knives in Massachusetts has a company store in Shelburne, MA; while, Dexter knives has a company in Southbridge, Massachusetts. Check both for the times they are open… they have limited times.
What?! Wrentham Outlets are not in RI. Why would you even say they might as well be?
I never much cared for these places,but finding tall men’s Levi products is becoming more difficult.So a trip to the Wrentham Outlets became necessary,and I easily found what I needed.Also though I likewise haven’t thought much of franchise restaurants,there is a Ruby Tuesday there with a “garden bar”( a salad bar with over 50 items) which won me over big time!
I agree with Jeanine — Why would you the Wrentham Outlets ‘say it might as well be in RI?’ It is right off of 495, would you say 495 is on the RI border? No, you would not.
oh please… if you travel by the ‘back roads’ of R.I. in Cumberland, it is virtually on R.I. doorstep! Its right there… must be a lot of Rhode Islanders (I am one) writing these items about it being a ‘distance’ from R.I. BTW, check the parking lots and count the R.I. license plates…
The reason the outlet mall was placed in MA is the tax structure made for a smarter business decision. Looking at a map there are more people within a shorter distance south of Wrentham.
What is the controversy? Wrehtham Ma is bordered on its south by Cumberland RI….the author is correct.
Keep in mind that merchandise sold at many outlet stores is not necessarily the same first quality as the non-outlet stores.
It’s the same quality, it’s from the same companies. ????
Wrentham is certainly in Ma. but quite close to the R.I. borders. Why say it “Might as well be in R.I.? You don’t even list any R.I. stores! Does R.I. have to claim Ma. locations?
Come on let Little Rhody have something, we have no outlets here. I’m 15 min away from Wrentham Outlets in RI.
I am not an outlet shopper
Isn’t your comment unnecessary?
I was recently in Maine and decided to stop at the Kittery Outlets. It was sad to see a ghost town with so many closed stores. A sign of the times unfortunately. It was quite enjoyable in its heyday.
The Manchester, VT outlets are very nice. Check ahead as they do change. Do not make hotel reservations without checking reviews!
best of those revised here is Wrentham, MA outlet… largest selection of stores that i am aware of!
I can go to an outlet with these types of stores in PA. I’d love to read about the out of the way, independently owned stores in NE.
We used to visit the Kittery Outlet Stores almost yearly when traveling to ME from CT to visit an aunt and they were terrific. So many nice stores to chose from and personally loved the kitchen outlets, but now it’s a disappointment with so many closed and what is left has nothing but labels “from China”. So sad to see that we jus don’t have the textiles, shoes or clothing here anymore.