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5 BEST Michigan Outlet Malls 2023: Great Lakes Crossing, Birch Run and More

Shopping Malls

Michigan Outlet Malls: Best Bargain Shopping in Michigan

Michigan outlet malls are home to some major savings, and we are all about bargains!

Let’s face it: whether we’re looking to freshen up our own wardrobes or in search of gifts to give to friends or family, we always want to find the best deals possible when shopping. The less you spend on one item, the more you can save and put towards other items or other things you love.

It’s exactly this bang for your buck that makes outlet malls in Michigan popular among shoppers. Take a day, weekend, head to the nearest outlet center and spruce up your wardrobe with your favorite brands!

The shopping outlets in Michigan cut out the middleman retailer and offer products directly to their consumers at factory price. These factory stores can offer major discounts, allowing you to save as much as 75% in certain cases.

Read on to discover the best outlet malls in Michigan.

people shopping at michigan outlet mall

Explore Outlet Malls in Michigan

The sheer number of stores and availability of entertainment and food around them makes an outlet mall a great option for day trips or an afternoon out of the house.

Michigan is home to a great selection of outlet mall locations across the state, so whether you’re in Metro Detroit, Ann Arbor, Grand Rapids, Lansing, or perhaps up north somewhere, there’s an outlet mall where you can shop ‘til you drop.

Below is our travel guide to the best outlet malls in Michigan for a fun-filled day of shopping. You’ll find outlet malls near some popular Michgan travel destinations, too, so you can turn your visit to a shopping outlet into a road trip!

Remember that store hours may vary at each shopping center, so be sure and check for store hours before you go.

Birch Run Outlets

Best Outlet Malls in Michigan

Great Lakes Crossing Outlets
4000 Baldwin Rd., Auburn Hills, MI

Since 1998, Great Lakes Crossing in Auburn Hills has been Michigan’s premier destination for indoor outlet shopping.

With over 180 outlet stores, this location appeals to a wide variety of tastes, whether you’re interested in revamping your everyday wardrobe at GAP or looking for a new Michael Kors bag, or something else altogether.

Beyond factory stores, an AMC movie theater, and a massive food court can be found on the premises, providing much more than shopping for this favorite mall.

best outlet malls in michigan
LEGOLAND Discovery Center at Great Lakes Crossing Mall

Family Fun at Great Lakes Crossing

Great Lakes Crossing is also an incredible family destination too, with three family-friendly attractions sure to delight your little shoppers. .

SEA LIFE Aquarium
‘Dive’ into SEA LIFE, Michigan’s largest Aquarium, and come face-to-fin with over 250 species and 2,000+ creatures including sharks, rays, and green sea turtles. You can even get hands-on at the Touchpool and experience Michigan’s only 180 degree ocean tunnel.

LEGOLAND Disovery Center
Be sure to save some time for a visit to LEGOLAND Discovery Center, Michigan’s ultimate indoor LEGO-themed playground, with two rides, a 4D theater, and over 10 different build zones.

Peppa Pig Word of Play
For those with younger children, there is also Peppa Pig World of Play, which is a large indoor playground themed around the beloved children’s show. Your little ‘piggies’ will have a blast jumping in muddy puddles and exploring the 14 unique play zones.

Michigan outlet malls

Birch Run Premium Outlets
12240 S Beyer Rd., Birch Run, MI

Birch Run is home to one of the oldest outlet malls in Michigan, Birch Run Premium Outlets.

They opened back in 1986 and have been going strong as the largest and one of the most popular outdoor outlets in the state, boasting high visitor numbers year round.

Located right off of Michigan’s main artery, the I-75 expressway, their easily accessible from many points around the state, including Detroit, Ann Arbor and Bay City.

Over 140 stores are here, meaning you can shop for sporty attire at Under Armor or Nike before heading to get something a little snazzier at Polo Ralph Lauren. There’s a Pottery Barn outlet here, too, with some great prices on stylish home decor.

Their location near Frankenmuth keeps them busy, especially around the holiday season and particularly so on Black Friday.

PRO-TIP: Plan a weekend around your trip to this shopping center in mid-Michigan. Stay in nearby Frankenmuth and spend some time exploring this historic town with a rich German heritage.

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Tanger Outlets Howell

1475 N Burkhart Rd., Howell, MI

Tanger Outlets is a nationwide chain of shopping malls and complexes and there’s a reason they are so successful.

The location in Howell features dozens of shops including a wide variety of beloved brands like Banana Republic, Adidas, Yankee Candle, and more.

Take advantage of coupons and promotional sales on top of the factory pricing for maximum value on high quality products.

grand rapids travel guide - post on best outlet malls in michigan
grand rapids travel guide – post on best outlet malls in michigan

Tanger Outlets Grand Rapids
350 84th St SW, Byron Center, MI 49315

If you live in western Michigan and you thought the Tanger Outlets in Howell sounded good, you’re in luck. There’s a location in Grand Rapids, too!

Much like the Howell spot, Byron Center’s outlet mall has plenty of variety in its shops and top quality merchandise available at a fraction of the price with the potential for sales and coupons galore.

Find great brands like Kate Spade, Vera Bradley, Tommy Hilfiger and more. After spending the day at the mall, you can head into Grand Rapids and try one of the many craft breweries in the area. Grand Rapids, Michigan, is also known as “Beer City,” and the title is well-deserved.

Use our Guide to Michigan Breweries to discover craft breweries in the area, including well-known breweries including Founders and Brewery Vivant.

10 best michigan road trips

West Branch Outlet Shops
2990 Cook Rd. West Branch, MI

There’s never a bad time to visit the West Branch Outlet shops in West Branch Michigan, situated about 30 minutes east of Houghton Lake.

All year long special events and massive discounts across dozens of shops bring visitors in from all over northeastern Michigan. Spend a few hours shopping at Coach, Van Heusen, and more, then stop at one of the restaurants on site to recharge for more.

Located right off of I-75, it’s quick stop on your way to or from northern Michigan. If you’re taking a road trip from southeast Michigan, leave early enough and you can stop both at the Birch Run outlets (exit 136 on I-75) and the Tanger Outlets in West Branch (exit 212)!

Where’s YOUR favorite outlet mall in Michigan? Use the comment section below to let us know if you’ve found any spectacular bargains!

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More Open Air Michigan Malls

Shops at Westshore
12331 James St, Holland, MI 49424

Mackinaw Crossings
 248 S Huron Ave, Mackinaw City, MI 49701

Holland Town Center
12330 James St, Holland, MI 49424

The Village at Grand Traverse Commons
1200 W Eleventh St, Traverse City, MI 49684

Michigan Outlet Mall F.A.Q.

Q. Are Outlet Malls Really Cheaper?

A. According to Ramsey Solutions, consumers can save approximately 38% on average by shopping at outlet malls.

Q. What stores are at the Birch Run Outlet?

A. As the largest outlet in the Midwest, this mid-Michigan outlet mall features popular brands such as Coach, Pottery Barn, Nike, Calvin Klein, Under Armour and many more.
Best Outlet Malls in Michigan

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About the Author-

Bella DiMascio is a Content Editor for mymichiganbeach.com. She grew up in the Detroit suburb of Westland and later attended Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo where she majored in Communication Studies and minored in English: Writing. Creative writing has been a hobby and interest of Bella’s since she was in elementary school and she is thrilled to be using her talents to highlight the Great Lakes State. Outside of writing, Bella enjoys getting outside with her two Australian Shepherds, playing video games, and binging shows on Netflix.