Black Friday at Garden State Plaza
 

Hi Guys,

Has anyone been to Garden State plaza on Black Friday? If so, how was it? Were there long line ups? I will be going this year and I am not sure what to expect.

Thanks!!!

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Garden State Plaza is at the intersection of 2 highways with malls in all directions. It is packed most of the year, and between Thanksgiving to Xmas, it's almost impossible to park. I imagine that Black Friday would be worse than usual, so be prepared to be stuck in huge traffic jams getting there.

It is a nightmare. I haven't done it in many years, but over a decade ago, when they actually had some parking, it was just doable if you were in and out very quickly in the morning. Unless this is your only chance to hit a shopping mall in the next six months I would skip it if at all possible.

It will be crowded as all with all shopping malls across the US - Black Friday is one of the biggest shopping days of the years you'll find crowds no matter where you go.

It's a particularly irritating one when crowded, it's parking fills up quickly, and Route 4 on Black Friday is an unbelievable nightmare (although if you are going with a local they may know how to avoid 4 and 17-which would be advisable). It's also not a really great mall. It's big, and it has a few upscale and/or unique stores that you don't necessarily see everywhere, but most of the mall staple chains do not fare well there, and often charge a buck or two more than they do elsewhere. It's not even a really great Macy's.

There is a good selection of upscale restaurants, but the food court is miserable.

Stand it up against King of Prussia, for example, and I'll take KOP any day. More spread out, more parking, handles crowds better, better selection of shops/merchandise. Far enough away from GSP that I doubt it's a Black Friday option for the OP, but a far superior mall.

I was there two weeks ago Saturday and there was no parking to be had. Can't imagine what Black Friday would bring.

Black Friay is the busiest shopping day of the year and that mall has minimal parking at any time. Also many of the stores are opening early/very early - from midnght on Thrnksgiving night to 6 am so unless you get to any mall at the crack f dawn be prepared for endless cricling to find a place to park and huge lines within the stoers themselves.

That is the LAST day I would ever go to any mall.

Thanks guys!! I know most of you are advising against going but we are still going to give it a go. We're Canadian and have never done Black Friday so we want to see what it's like...maybe we'll hate it but at least we'll be able to say we tried it. We are die hard bargain hunters, so hopefully we'll get some good loot!!

I think we will talk to the hotel staff and see if we can do what persimmondeb mentioned...avoid the 4 & 17 to cut some of the traffic.

I'll let you all know what it was like when I'm back!

Layla %%-

I am fairly certain that the town of Paramus will not let stores open before a certain time (6 or 7 I think), so check your times with the mall. And if you can stay off 4 and 17 you will be much happier. Where are you staying?

The Paramus town council is voting tonight to decide if the stores will be allowed to open at 5am, rather than the usual 7am.

Depending on the start time, and point of origin, taking backroads may not save you much time.

My best advice is to park your car how and where it will be easiest to get out of the mall. Head facing out, in a lane of traffic in the direction of the exit, and as close as possible to the exit you need. Avoid the decks! (And of course remember where you leave the car.)

Get a mall directory ahead of time and strategize if you can. I would not be surprised if some stores opened later, if 5am is approved, but you won't know for sure until you get there.

If you plan to be there for the long haul and want to have a comfortable lunch and/or dinner, find out now if any sitdown restaurants take reservations and make them. Or, put your name on a waiting list before you feel hungry.

Don't forget to search online for store coupons.

Unless you think you're going to freeze, leave your coat in the trunk of your car.

I've been shopping at GSP my entire life, though less and less in recent years. It is frustrating enough on a regular Saturday, I can't imagine what Black Friday is like now. Good luck!

Be prepared to shoulder to shoulder shoppers and lines of 15 to 20 people waiting to pay at each register.

Agree to park at the very outside of the lot - if possible - or it can take an hour or more just to get the car out to the highway.

GSP will open at 7am, there has been no change to the current law in Paramus for Black Friday.