Welcome to your strategic guide for conquering Woodbury Common. A successful trip to one of the world’s largest outlet centers requires more than just a wish list—it requires a plan. With over 800,000 square feet of retail space, knowing how to navigate the stores, when to visit, and what to bring can make all the difference.
This guide is designed to transform your shopping day from a frantic hunt into a seamless, rewarding experience. We’ll cover everything from pre-trip essentials to curated shopping itineraries, ensuring you shop smarter, not harder.
Top 5 Shopping Tips (Read These First)
- Visit Tuesday-Thursday — 50% less crowded than weekends
- Arrive at 10 AM opening — Best parking, freshest inventory
- Bring wheeled suitcase — Veteran shopper trick for carrying purchases
- Make a store list — Don’t wander aimlessly through 250 stores
- Eat off-peak — Before 11:30 AM or after 2 PM (avoid lunch rush)
Time needed: 4-6 hours minimum for meaningful shopping
Pre-Trip Checklist: 5 Essential Steps
Proper preparation is the key to a stress-free and successful shopping day. Before you even leave the house, complete these five essential steps to ensure you’re ready to maximize your time and savings.
1. Join the VIP Shopper Club
This is the single most important step for any savvy shopper. Signing up for the VIP Shopper Club online is completely free and gives you access to a complimentary coupon book filled with exclusive offers and additional discounts beyond the standard outlet prices. This book can be picked up on-site and is worth hundreds of dollars in extra savings. Check the Coupons & Deals page for more tips to save money.
2. Download & Study the Map
The outlet center is massive and organized into five color-coded districts to help shoppers navigate: Grapevine Court (Purple), Bluebird Court (Blue), Red Apple Court (Red), Evergreen Court (Green), and Marigold Court (Orange/Gold). Downloading and printing the Woodbury Commons map beforehand is one of the most common tips for a reason—it allows you to plot a route, mark your must-visit stores, and avoid wasting time wandering aimlessly.
Extra tip: the physical map contains extra discount coupons to save even more!
3. Time Your Visit Strategically
To avoid the biggest crowds and enjoy a more relaxed experience, plan your visit on a weekday morning. Arriving before 11 AM typically ensures better parking availability and shorter lines inside the stores. Weekends and major holidays are significantly busier. Also, keep an eye out for major center-wide sale weekends, which offer the deepest discounts, including Memorial Day, July 4th, and Black Friday.
Best Days/Times
- ✅ Tuesday-Thursday, 10 AM-2 PM (ideal)
- ✅ Monday mornings (good)
- ⚠️ Friday (gets busy after lunch)
- ❌ Saturday/Sunday (avoid if possible)
- ❌ Holiday weekends (extremely crowded)
Best Months
- January (clearance + smallest crowds)
- September (post-summer, pre-holiday)
- Avoid: July-August (hot + tourists), November-December (holiday chaos)
Check the up-to-date outlet opening hours for even more insider details on the best hours to shop.
4. Pack Like a Pro
A full day of shopping requires a few essential items that seasoned visitors swear by:
- Comfortable Shoes: This is non-negotiable. You will be doing a significant amount of walking across the sprawling, village-style center.
- A Wheeled Suitcase: This is the ultimate insider trick. Bringing a small, wheeled suitcase allows you to store your purchases easily without the strain of carrying multiple heavy bags all day.
- Water & Snacks: While there are many dining options, having your own water and snacks can save you time and keep you energized between stores, especially during peak hours when food venues are crowded.
5. Know the Tax Rules
One of the biggest financial perks of shopping at Woodbury Common is the New York State sales tax rule. Clothing and footwear items priced under $110 are exempt from state sales tax, which can result in significant savings, especially when buying multiple items.
Design Your Perfect Day: Sample Shopping Itineraries
With over 220 stores, deciding where to start can be overwhelming. Use these curated itineraries to plan your attack based on your shopping goals. Each plan suggests a starting point and a logical route through the color-coded districts. Start with checking the outlets map, so you know where to go.
The Luxury Haul
- Goal: To hit the world’s top high-fashion brands.
- Park: In the Green or Red parking lots for access to the Adirondacks and Hudson Valley districts.
- Route: Start in the Adirondacks District (Green) for Prada, Bottega Veneta, and Saks OFF 5TH. Then, move into the adjacent Hudson Valley District (Brown) to visit Gucci, Dior, and Balenciaga. This route keeps you concentrated in the most luxurious wing of the center.
The Family Day Out
- Goal: A balanced day for adults, teens, and kids.
- Park: Parking Deck (Near the Nike Factory Store) or Blue Parking Lot.
- Route: Begin in the Saratoga District (Red), which is home to the Nike Factory Store and the kids’ play area. From there, it’s a short walk to the Niagara District (Blue) for stores like Carter’s and Under Armour. Finish your day at the Market Hall for family-friendly food options.
The Home & Lifestyle Refresh
- Goal: To find deals on home goods, kitchenware, and beauty products.
- Park: The green parking lot.
- Route: Start your day in the Adirondacks District (Green) to visit Le Creuset and the Market Hall. Then, explore nearby districts for beauty brands like L’Occitane and home stores like Yankee Candle.
The Half-Day Power Shop
- Goal: To maximize a short visit by hitting a dense cluster of popular brands.
- Park: In the main parking deck with access to the Hudson Valley district.
- Route: Focus exclusively on the Hudson Valley District (Brown). This is the largest area and features a high concentration of top brands like Polo Ralph Lauren, Burberry, and Tommy Hilfiger, with easy access to the Market Hall for a quick bite.
Refuel & Recharge: A Shopper’s Guide to Dining
Shopping is a marathon, not a sprint. Staying fueled is essential. Woodbury Common offers a wide range of dining options to fit any schedule or craving.
- Quick Bites & Coffee: For a fast pick-me-up, grab a pretzel from Auntie Anne’s, a macaron from the new Ladurée, or a coffee from Ralph’s Coffee or Starbucks.
- Fast-Casual Lunch: The Market Hall is your destination for popular and quick meal options. Here you’ll find crowd-pleasers like Shake Shack and Chipotle Mexican Grill.
- A Sit-Down Break: If you need to rest your feet and enjoy a more substantial meal, Parm offers authentic Italian-American dishes in a sit-down restaurant setting.
Insider Tip: The food court and popular restaurants get extremely busy between noon and 2 PM. Plan to eat at off-peak hours (before noon or after 2 PM) to avoid long lines and find a table more easily.
Insider Tips from Regular Shoppers
Parking Strategy
- ✅ Arrive before 10:30 AM (easy parking)
- ✅ Take photo of parking spot (you’ll forget after 4 hours)
- ✅ Park near your first priority district
- ❌ Don’t circle looking for “perfect” spot (waste of time)
Shopping Efficiency
- ✅ Hit luxury stores first (before crowds)
- ✅ Try everything on (no returns to different store)
- ✅ Ask about digital queues (Gucci, Prada on busy days)
- ✅ Take breaks every 90 minutes (you’ll shop better refreshed)
What Actually Works
- ✅ Making a specific store list (top 10-15)
- ✅ Shopping one district at a time (no backtracking)
- ✅ Bringing wheeled luggage (veteran move)
- ✅ Eating early or late (avoid lines)
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- ❌ Skipping coupons (easy extra savings)
- ❌ Going without a plan (“let’s just browse”)
- ❌ Trying to see everything (you’ll get exhausted)
- ❌ Shopping on Saturday (crowds ruin experience)
- ❌ Buying without comparing (check phone for prices)
On-Site FAQs
Here are quick answers to common questions you might have once you’ve arrived.
Ready to Shop?
Continue planning your visit:
