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Holiday Shopping Simplified in New Jersey

nj holiday shopping

From downtown shopping centers to historic squares to outlets with the best deals, New Jersey’s holiday shopping options will help you find everything you're looking for. Whether you’re searching for the perfect toy for your little one or a nice new sweater for your significant other, you'll find it. Check out the best shopping destinations in New Jersey this 2024 holiday season!


Palmer Square, Princeton, NJ

Palmer Square is a downtown area that looks straight out of a movie. Whether you’re looking for a specialty toy store or record store, there are plenty of niche shops in this downtown area along with names such as J. Crew and Lindt. There are also many dining and coffee options for when you need a break in between stores.

Downtown Madison, Madison, NJ

Madison provides a New England feel surrounding its shopping center. With captivating specialty shops, there is a place for everyone including a hat shop, a pet store, and a paper store. The quaint downtown is a fun experience even if you can’t decide what to buy.

Downtown Westfield, Westfield, NJ

Westfield has a diverse array of shops that range from mom-and-pop shops to popular chains such as Urban Outfitters and Gap. There is plenty of parking with several public lots and street parking available. They also have specialty shops for cooking and toys. 

Montclair Center, Montclair, NJ

Montclair’s eclectic makeup shows through its options for shops and restaurants. From antique shops to thrift stores, there is a shop for everyone on your holiday shopping list. There are also plenty of food stops that offer gift cards to a variety of options such as Ethiopian, sushi, or frozen yogurt.

Jersey Shore Premium Outlets, Tinton Falls, NJ

If you’re searching for an indoor mall with plenty of options, the Jersey Shore outlets are the place to shop and stay warm. Outlets are great too for finding deals on brand names. As a mall, this location will also feature lengthened holiday hours.

The Mall at Short Hills Mall, Short Hills, NJ

The Mall at Short Hills is a popular mall because of the vast variety of stores available. With their size, it would take more than a day to cover all the stores. With names like Lacoste and Armani, Short Hills is a great location for high end brands.

Maplewood Village, Maplewood, NJ

Ranked as one of Jersey’s best downtown areas, Maplewood is also a cute, quaint area to shop. Their focus is mostly on privately-owned shops which maintains the small-town feel. There are toys, antiques, and more available.

Newport Centre, Jersey City, NJ

This shiny new mall is located near the waterfront and has three floors of extensive shops and stores available. Newport has many popular stores with recognized names such Zara, Victoria’s Secret, and Armani Exchange. With the variety of both affordable brands and high-end stores, the mall has options for everyone.

Morristown, NJ

Historical Morristown has private stores and small businesses, making it great to find fabulous gift options out of this world. Around the area known as the Green, Morristown is walkable to locals and also has a conveniently located train station. Take a stroll and finish off your gift list.

The Mills at Jersey Gardens, Elizabeth, NJ

Who doesn’t love a mall filled with affordable deals in any category you can think? This mall is New Jersey’s largest outlet mall and will take a whole day to tackle from their Saks Fifth Ave store to the Ugg shop. Their food court also offers a variety of refueling options.

Bridgewater Commons, Bridgewater, NJ

Bridgewater Commons is both a mall and sprawling shopping center rolled into one. With three floors and free Wi-Fi, the Commons will fill all your shopping needs. They also have popular restaurants such as Cheesecake Factory and Maggiano’s, because who doesn’t need Italian food in their life?

Jackson Premium Outlets, Jackson, NJ

For another affordable mall full of deals, the Jackson Premium Outlets are key and one of the best shopping areas in south Jersey. With brand names such as Nike and Under Armour, this spot will have many hot deals especially during the holiday season. It can get busy so get here early.

Willowbrook Mall, Wayne, NJ

Willowbrook is the fifth largest mall in the state of New Jersey. They also have full hours on Sunday which is rare in New Jersey. One of Willowbrook’s major stores is Macy’s and they also organize sit-downs with Santa for children.

Freehold Raceway Mall, Freehold, NJ

This location is another of New Jersey’s super-regional malls that is located in central jersey. It has several major stores including JCPenney, Lord & Taylor, and Macy’s. They also have a full food court and a movie theatre.

Menlo Park Mall, Edison, NJ

Menlo Park Mall is not as large as other malls but has all your favorite stores such as Nordstrom and Barnes & Noble. The mall is easy to walk and has a great family atmosphere. Take a break to eat at the Cheesecake Factory or Rainforest Cafe, which is an especially fun restaurant.

Rockaway Townsquare, Rockaway, NJ

Rockaway is one of the largest regional malls in all of New Jersey with many store options such as Build-a-Bear, Coach, and Sears. There are also extensions to the mall that include Christmas Tree Shops and Michael’s. 

Key Insights at a Glance

  • Palmer Square: Charming downtown area with specialty and brand-name shops like J. Crew and Lindt, plus dining and coffee options.
  • Downtown Madison: Quaint New England-style shopping district with unique specialty stores including a hat shop and a pet store.
  • Downtown Westfield: A mix of mom-and-pop shops and chains like Urban Outfitters and Gap, plus specialty toy and cooking stores.
  • Montclair Center: Eclectic mix of antique shops, thrift stores, and diverse dining options including Ethiopian and sushi restaurants.
  • Jersey Shore Premium Outlets: Indoor outlet mall with brand-name deals and extended holiday hours.
  • The Mall at Short Hills: Upscale mall with high-end brands like Lacoste and Armani, perfect for luxury gift shopping.
  • Maplewood Village: Quaint downtown area focused on privately-owned shops offering toys, antiques, and more.
  • Newport Centre: Waterfront mall with three floors of stores ranging from Zara to Armani Exchange, catering to all budgets.
  • Morristown, NJ: Historical downtown with small businesses around the walkable Green area, offering unique gift options.
  • The Mills at Jersey Gardens, Elizabeth, NJ: New Jersey’s largest outlet mall with affordable deals from Saks Fifth Avenue to Ugg and a diverse food court.
  • Bridgewater Commons, Bridgewater, NJ: Three-floor mall with free Wi-Fi, popular stores, and dining options like Cheesecake Factory and Maggiano’s.
  • Jackson Premium Outlets, Jackson, NJ: Affordable outlet mall in South Jersey with brands like Nike and Under Armour, offering great holiday deals.
  • Willowbrook Mall, Wayne, NJ: Fifth-largest mall in NJ with Macy’s and Sunday hours, plus Santa meet-and-greets for kids.
  • Freehold Raceway Mall, Freehold, NJ: Central Jersey mall with major stores like JCPenney and Lord & Taylor, a food court, and a movie theater.
  • Menlo Park Mall, Edison, NJ: Family-friendly mall featuring Nordstrom, Barnes & Noble, Cheesecake Factory, and Rainforest Cafe.
  • Rockaway Townsquare, Rockaway, NJ: Large regional mall with stores like Build-a-Bear and Coach, plus extensions for specialty shops like Christmas Tree Shops.
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