Surprising those who don’t know, New Jersey is dubbed the ‘Mall Capital’ of the U.S. due to its sheer number of malls. You’ll find everything from The Mall at Short Hills, a favorite for luxury shopping, to American Dream, one of the biggest malls in the U.S., with its own indoor ski slope, and a whole lot more. Even the very first indoor mall on the East Coast, Cherry Hill Mall, is in New Jersey.
But the best part about NJ malls is the fact that they offer so much more than shopping: fun places to spend the day with your family or friends, lots of restaurants, entertainment, and special events happening all year long.
This guide takes you through the 10 most popular malls in New Jersey. You’ll learn about what stores you’ll find, where you can eat, what kind of fun things there are to do, and what makes each mall special.
American Dream – East Rutherford, NJ
The American Dream is one of the biggest malls in New Jersey and in the country. It has over 3 million square feet of space and over 450 stores. You’ll find popular brands like Zara, a huge Toys “R” Us, and a luxury area called The Avenue, with high-end stores like Saks Fifth Avenue, Hermès, Gucci, and Tiffany & Co.
About half of the mall is for fun and entertainment. There are over 65 places to eat, from fast food to fancy restaurants. Go to Yard House, Carpaccio (Italian), or visit the H Mart food hall for Asian dishes.
The mall is full of attractions. There’s Nickelodeon Universe, the largest indoor theme park in the Western Hemisphere, and DreamWorks Water Park, the biggest indoor water park in North America. You can ski year-round at Big SNOW, the only indoor snow park in the U.S. Other attractions include an ice rink, mini golf, a mirror maze, SEA LIFE Aquarium, Legoland Discovery Center, and a giant Ferris wheel with views of New York City.
American Dream also hosts events like fashion shows, holiday markets, concerts, and meet-and-greets with Santa or the Easter Bunny. It’s a popular spot for both locals and tourists.
The mall is in the Meadowlands, next to MetLife Stadium and the racetrack. It’s easy to get to by car (NJ Turnpike Exit 16W, Route 3) or by bus from NYC. Parking is available, and the mall is open 7 days a week, unlike other malls in the area that close on Sundays.
Bridgewater Commons – Bridgewater, NJ
Bridgewater Commons is a three-story mall in Bridgewater, New Jersey, with over 150 stores and restaurants. The main anchor stores are Macy’s and Bloomingdale’s. Other major retailers include Apple, Lululemon, Pottery Barn, Williams-Sonoma, and Sephora. The mall has clothing, electronics, and home goods stores.
The food court has fast food like Asian Chao, Sbarro, and Chick-fil-A. For sit-down meals, there is Redstone American Grill, The Cheesecake Factory, California Pizza Kitchen, and Shake Shack. Starbucks, Auntie Anne’s, and Häagen-Dazs are also inside.
The mall has an AMC Dine-In Theatre where you can watch movies and order food from your seat. There is also a small play area for kids. Occasionally, the mall hosts local performances, pop-up displays, or holiday events in the main court.
During winter, the mall sets up a Santa photo village. In spring, there are Easter Bunny photos. The mall also offers kids’ crafts, fashion shows, and beauty demos on select weekends.
Bridgewater Commons is located at 400 Commons Way, near Route 22 and I-287. It has free parking in open lots and a parking deck. NJ Transit buses stop nearby, and the Bridgewater train station is a short drive away.
The mall mainly serves shoppers from Somerset, Hunterdon, and Union counties. It’s popular with families, teens, and office workers. The mall is clean, safe, and less crowded than larger malls like Menlo Park or Garden State Plaza.
Cherry Hill Mall – Cherry Hill, NJ
Cherry Hill Mall opened in 1961 and was the first indoor mall on the East Coast. It has over 160 stores and is one of the busiest malls in South Jersey.
The mall has three main anchor stores: Nordstrom, Macy’s, and JCPenney. Popular retailers include Zara, Uniqlo, H&M, Forever 21, Sephora, J.Crew, American Eagle, and A|X Armani Exchange. For high-end shopping, it has Louis Vuitton and Tiffany & Co.
The mall has several restaurants. Outside the mall, there are full-service restaurants like The Capital Grille, Eddie V’s Prime Seafood, Seasons 52, and Maggiano’s Little Italy. Inside, the food court offers fast options like pizza, Asian food, burgers, and tacos. Snack spots include Shake Shack, Häagen-Dazs, and Auntie Anne’s Pretzels.
Cherry Hill Mall does not have a movie theater. However, it offers activities like live music shows, fashion events, and pop-up exhibits. It has a children’s play area and creates seasonal displays, including its awe-inspiring Christmas one. In the past, it featured a Selfie Museum and interactive events for social media users.
The mall hosts seasonal events year-round. These include Santa photos, Easter Bunny visits, fashion shows, outdoor car shows, food festivals, mom-and-child events, and kids’ character shows like Daniel Tiger or Blue’s Clues.
Cherry Hill Mall is located at 2000 Route 38, Cherry Hill, NJ. It is close to Route 70 and I-295. It has free parking, and NJ Transit buses (routes 404, 405, 413) stop at the mall. It’s about 15 minutes from downtown Philadelphia.
Nearby attractions include Adventure Aquarium, Camden Children’s Garden, Garden State Park shopping center, and Barclay Farmstead. The mall draws visitors from Camden, Burlington, and Gloucester counties, as well as from Philadelphia.
Freehold Raceway Mall – Freehold, NJ
Freehold Raceway Mall is the largest mall in Central New Jersey and the third-largest in the state, with 1.67 million square feet of space. It has over 230 stores across two indoor levels and an outdoor section called the Lifestyle Center.
Main anchor stores are Macy’s, JCPenney, and L.L. Bean. Other large stores include Primark and Manor House Furniture. Popular shops include Apple, H&M, Victoria’s Secret, Express, Uniqlo, Coach, Michael Kors, Sephora, and Dick’s Sporting Goods. Outdoor stores include Lululemon, Anthropologie, and small boutiques.
The food court has quick-service spots like Chick-fil-A, Master Wok, and Sbarro. Sit-down restaurants include The Cheesecake Factory, Brio Italian Grille, P.F. Chang’s, Panera Bread, and Buffalo Wild Wings. Snack places include Auntie Anne’s, Häagen-Dazs, and a Build-A-Bear Café. Starbucks is also inside.
For kids, there’s a carousel on the second floor and a Build-A-Bear Workshop. The mall doesn’t have a movie theater, but AMC Freehold 14 is nearby on Route 9. The mall also hosts pop-up exhibits, outdoor concerts, and farmers’ markets in warmer months.
During holidays, the mall sets up Santa’s Wonderland and a sensory-friendly Santa photo option. In spring, it offers Easter Bunny photos. Events include kids’ concerts, character visits, craft workshops, car shows, fashion shows, and charity 5 Ks. One special event was a drive-through holiday light show in the parking lot.
The mall is located at 3710 U.S. Highway 9, Freehold, NJ, where Route 9 meets Route 33. It’s next to the Freehold Raceway, a live horse racing track. The mall has free parking, including a parking deck. NJ Transit Bus 139 from New York City stops near the mall. NJ has no tax on clothing, which attracts NYC shoppers.
Menlo Park Mall – Edison, NJ
Menlo Park Mall is a two-story mall in Edison, New Jersey, with about 120 stores. It’s known for fashion and family shopping.
The mall has two anchor stores: Nordstrom and Macy’s. It includes clothing stores like Zara, Hollister, Abercrombie & Fitch, Ann Taylor, Michael Kors, Coach, and Uniqlo. For other goods, there’s Warby Parker (eyeglasses), Lush (skincare), and a large Barnes & Noble bookstore. The mall also has pop-up stands and kiosks in the main court.
Dining options include The Cheesecake Factory, Rainforest Café, and Havana Central. The food court upstairs has Shake Shack, Chipotle, Panda Express, and salad and sushi spots. For snacks, there are Bang Cookies, Caribou Coffee, and several dessert stands. Outside the mall, there’s a Dave & Buster’s with full meals and arcade games.
Entertainment includes a Color Me Mine pottery studio, a Disney Junior Play Zone for kids, and the Slime Factory for slime-making. The AMC Dine-In Theater lets you watch movies and eat at the same time.
Menlo Park Mall also hosts events like fashion shows, holiday crafts, Frozen sing-alongs, and Santa visits in winter. Cultural events such as Lunar New Year and Diwali celebrations are also held. The mall sometimes has a summer carnival in the parking lot.
The mall is located at 55 Parsonage Road, Edison, NJ, near Route 1 and the Garden State Parkway (Exit 130). NJ Transit buses (810 and 813) serve the area. Metropark Train Station is about 2 miles away. There is free parking, including a multi-level garage near Nordstrom.
Menlo Park Mall attracts young professionals, families, and shoppers from Central Jersey and Staten Island. Many people come here because clothes are tax-free in NJ. The mall is clean, modern, and less crowded than some other malls. It has wide walkways, bright lighting, and a safe, relaxed feel.
Quaker Bridge Mall – Lawrenceville, NJ
Quaker Bridge Mall is a two-level mall with around 90 stores, located on US Route 1 in Lawrenceville, just a few miles from Princeton. It mainly serves shoppers from Mercer County, Trenton, and nearby towns.
The mall has two anchor stores: Macy’s and JCPenney. Formerly, it had Sears, but that space has been repurposed. Key stores include the Apple Store, Coach, Sephora, Michael Kors, Victoria’s Secret, Express, and H&M. It also has Lush, ALDO Shoes, a LEGO Store, and a Disney Store, which are popular with families. The mall’s layout is simple, and recent renovations have added bright skylights and new seating areas.
The food court is upstairs and includes places like Chick-fil-A, Sarku Japan, Master Wok, and a gyro shop. For sit-down meals, there’s The Cheesecake Factory and Brio Tuscan Grille, both with outside entrances. Inside, you’ll also find a Starbucks, Häagen-Dazs, and a wine bar from Old York Cellars, where adults can sample and buy local wine.
The mall doesn’t have a theater or arcade. It does have a soft play area for toddlers and a Build-A-Bear Workshop where kids can create stuffed animals. During holidays, they sometimes set up a mini train ride or VR game booths. Movie-wise, the AMC MarketFair 10 is about a mile away at the nearby Princeton MarketFair center.
Quaker Bridge hosts events like kids’ crafts, fashion shows, Santa photos, and toy drives. It also holds wine tastings with live music and sometimes offers student discounts for nearby college students. The mall has a Family Perks program that gives members coupons and event updates.
The mall is easy to reach from Route 1, I-295, and surrounding highways. There is free parking all around the mall. NJ Transit buses (600-series) stop nearby and connect the mall to Trenton, Princeton, and surrounding areas. Other nearby shopping centers include Nassau Park Pavilion and MarketFair, which make the area a shopping destination.
The Mall at Short Hills – Short Hills, NJ
The Mall at Short Hills is a two-level mall with about 150 stores, located at 1200 Morris Turnpike, Short Hills, NJ. It’s known for luxury shopping and is one of the most upscale malls in New Jersey.
The main department stores are Neiman Marcus, Bloomingdale’s, Nordstrom, and Macy’s. A Saks Fifth Avenue is located just outside, next to the mall.
The mall has high-end designer stores, including Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Chanel, Dior, Hermès, Cartier, Tiffany & Co., Fendi, Burberry, and Saint Laurent. These are the only New Jersey locations for many of these brands. There are also more upscale stores, including David Yurman, Prada, Ferragamo, and Montblanc. But it’s not all clothing, you’ll find stores like Tesla, Peloton, Lululemon, Aritzia, Williams-Sonoma, and Pottery Barn here, too. An Apple Store is also in the mall.
New Jersey has no sales tax on clothing and shoes, so out-of-state shoppers often come here to save money on large purchases.
The mall doesn’t have a food court. Dining options include Ruth’s Chris Steak House, Legal Sea Foods, and The Cheesecake Factory. Inside Nordstrom is the Marketplace Café, and Bloomingdale’s has 40 Carrots, known for frozen yogurt. There’s also a Starbucks Reserve Bar. In 2025, an Eataly opening with Italian food counters and a gourmet market.
There’s no movie theater or arcade. Entertainment comes from brand pop-ups, art displays, and product events like perfume demos or fashion previews. Lounge areas, charging stations, valet parking, and personal shopping services are available.
During holidays, the mall sets up Santa photos, hosts live classical music, and runs charity shopping events. Seasonal decorations include large light displays and floral arrangements.
The mall is near Route 24, JFK Parkway, and I-78, with easy access from the Garden State Parkway. It has free parking, multi-level garages, and valet service. NJ Transit buses stop nearby, and the Short Hills train station is 2 miles away.
The mall attracts wealthy shoppers, including professionals, families, and tourists. It’s quiet and clean, with a focus on customer service. People under 18 must be with an adult after 5 p.m. on weekends.
The Mills at Jersey Gardens – Elizabeth, NJ
The Mills at Jersey Gardens is the largest outlet mall in New Jersey, with over 200 stores on two floors. It’s located at 651 Kapkowski Road, Elizabeth, right off Exit 13A of the New Jersey Turnpike and close to Newark Liberty International Airport.
The mall is known for discount shopping. It has outlet versions of major brands like Nike, Adidas, Levi’s, Polo Ralph Lauren, Tommy Hilfiger, Coach, Michael Kors, and UGG. You’ll also find Primark, UNIQLO Outlet, and Vineyard Vines. Department store outlets include Saks OFF 5TH and Neiman Marcus Last Call. Other anchors are Burlington and Marshalls. There’s also a Toys “R” Us and a Cosmetics Company Store.
The mall has 1.3 million square feet of space and is fully indoors. In New Jersey, clothing and shoes are tax-free, and other items are taxed at a reduced 3.3% rate because of its Urban Enterprise Zone status. These tax breaks attract shoppers from New York City and other states.
There’s a large food court called the Dining Emporium on the second level with options like Panda Express, Chipotle, Popeyes, and Nathan’s Famous.You’ll also find food stalls serving Indian, Japanese, and Middle Eastern meals. For snacks, there’s Cinnabon, Auntie Anne’s, and Häagen-Dazs. Sit-down restaurants include Applebee’s, Johnny Rockets, and Yard House. Coffee options include Starbucks and Dunkin’.
When it comes to entertainment, the mall has a 20-screen AMC theater with IMAX and 3D. It sometimes offers kids craft tables, face painting, or family events during holidays. The mall also has a few VR stations and a small arcade. Because it’s near the airport, many travelers spend time here before flights.
The mall runs events during major shopping seasons. On Black Friday, it opens at midnight, and many stores offer big discounts. Other events include Santa photos, Chinese New Year performances, and back-to-school sales. It has also hosted job fairs, health screenings, and local school shows.
Public transportation is available. NJ Transit buses (#111 and #115) run from Port Authority in NYC to the mall. The ride takes about 30–45 minutes. There are also shuttles from Newark Airport, and plenty of free parking for drivers.
The mall is busy most days. Shoppers include locals, families, and tourists from the U.S. and abroad. It’s common to see tour groups, people with rolling suitcases, and bilingual signs.
Westfield Garden State Plaza – Paramus, NJ
Westfield Garden State Plaza is the biggest traditional mall in New Jersey, with over 2.1 million square feet and more than 300 stores. It’s located at One Garden State Plaza, Paramus, right off Route 4, Route 17, and the Garden State Parkway.
The mall has both luxury and everyday stores. High-end brands include Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Versace, Burberry, Tiffany & Co., and Neiman Marcus. There’s also Nordstrom and Macy’s. Popular chains like Zara, H&M, Apple, Crate & Barrel, Gap, and Target are also there. Some stores, like Skims pop-up and certain designer flagships, are only available here in New Jersey.
The mall is closed on Sundays for shopping due to Bergen County blue laws, but restaurants and the AMC movie theater stay open. Saturdays are usually the busiest day.
For food, Garden State Plaza has Capital Grille, Grand Lux Café, Seasons 52, and Bazille inside Nordstrom for sit-down meals. The food court includes fast food like Shake Shack, Chick-fil-A, and Chipotle, plus international options. You’ll also find desserts like Magnolia Bakery, Lady M, bubble tea, and rolled ice cream. There are multiple Starbucks and other coffee spots. Some restaurants offer valet parking or pickup service.
Entertainment includes a 16-screen AMC theater with IMAX and dine-in options. There’s a kids’ play area, VR games, and seasonal attractions like Santa photos, mini-golf, and roller skating events. Temporary exhibits like Dopamine Land and art pop-ups are often hosted. Outdoor areas are being expanded to include a public plaza for concerts and events.
Events include fashion shows, holiday markets, farmers’ markets, food festivals, health fairs, and influencer shopping nights. Special promotions happen during holidays, back-to-school season, and pop culture events like Disney or Stranger Things activations.
The mall is easy to reach by car or bus. NJ Transit buses (routes 163, 171, 175) connect it to NYC’s Port Authority. There’s free parking, valet service, and ride-share pickup zones.
Hit the New Jersey Malls — Find Deals, Food, and Fun
Now that you’ve seen the top 10 malls in New Jersey, you’ve got plenty of great places to choose from for your next shopping trip.
Bring your kids along when they ace that test, or when you all just need a break on the weekend. With places to eat, fun spots to hang out, and stores for every budget, a trip to the mall is an easy way to spend quality time together.
So go ahead—pick a mall from the list, make a day of it, and enjoy all the shopping, food, and fun that New Jersey malls have to offer.
