Memorial Day And Veterans Day Freebies And Discounts For Military Personnel And Families

Memorial Day and Veterans Day offer special recognition to military personnel and their families through various freebies, discounts, and exclusive offers across the United States. These holidays provide an opportunity for businesses, attractions, and organizations to express gratitude for service and sacrifice. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the free admission offers, discounts, and special deals available to active-duty military members, veterans, and their families during these important observances.

Theme Parks and Attractions

Numerous theme parks and attractions across the country offer free admission or special discounts to military personnel and their families during Memorial Day and Veterans Day.

Colonial Williamsburg provides complimentary single-day admission to servicemembers and veterans, along with up to three direct dependents, during Memorial Day weekend and Veterans Day weekend. The historic site also offers discounted admission throughout the year for military personnel.

Indianapolis Zoo offers free admission to current and former military members on Memorial Day. Additionally, military personnel receive $2 off general admission for up to two tickets per visit. A valid military ID is required for these benefits.

Legoland parks in California, Florida, and New York present special military deals on admission and hotel rooms. The specific offers vary by location, and interested individuals can find details by visiting the Legoland website and selecting their nearest park.

The National World War I Museum and Memorial in Kansas City, Missouri, provides free admission to veterans and active-duty servicemembers from May 24-27 each year, which typically encompasses Memorial Day weekend.

United Parks and Resorts, which includes properties such as Busch Gardens, SeaWorld, and Sesame Place, offers free admission to servicemembers and veterans, with the ability to bring up to three guests. The specific programs and availability vary by location.

Vail Resorts provides a special Military Epic Pass for the 2025/2026 ski season at a reduced price of $185 for servicemembers, military retirees, and their dependents. This pass provides access to dozens of resorts across the United States. Discounted passes are also available for veterans and their families.

Museums and Cultural Sites

Many museums and cultural institutions extend complimentary admission to military personnel and their families during Memorial Day and Veterans Day.

The Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio hosts an annual Veterans Day Event & Expo on November 11, offering free admission to all U.S. servicemembers, National Guard members, and veterans, plus one guest. Blue Star Mothers and Gold Star Families also receive free admission. The event includes a commemorative Veterans Day pin (while supplies last), a 20% discount at the Hall of Fame Store, and a Veterans Day Expo from 9 a.m.–1 p.m. featuring veteran-based services and organizations. A special giveaway of a Salute to Service helmet will be raffled off to guests who visit all booths.

Thomas Jefferson's Monticello in Charlottesville, Virginia offers free admission to U.S. military veterans during Veterans Day weekend, November 8-11. The complimentary admission applies to the Grounds Ticket or the Highlights Tour, though it does not extend to special or after-hours tours such as the Private Behind-the-Scenes Tour.

The Harley-Davidson Museum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin provides free admission to veterans and active-duty military personnel during Veterans Day weekend.

Maine Wildlife Park, operated by the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, offers free admission to veterans, active-duty military, and their families on November 11, which is the day the park opens for the season.

Six Flags America offers free admission for veterans and active-duty military on Veterans Day and the following day, with discounted admission available for family members (up to four).

Many state parks across the country provide free or discounted admission for veterans and their families on November 11. Additionally, numerous states offer year-round deals for veterans who are residents, disabled veterans, or former prisoners of war. The specific policies vary by state, and interested individuals should check with their state park service or the National Association of State Park Directors.

All U.S. national parks and historic sites managed by the National Park Service offer free admission to all visitors on November 11.

Numerous zoos across the country provide free admission to military personnel, as well as discounts or free admission for family members.

Retail Discounts and Special Offers

Many retailers offer special discounts and promotions for military personnel during Memorial Day and Veterans Day.

Samsung offers a discount program for military personnel, veterans, and qualified users, providing savings of up to 30% on eligible devices. Interested individuals can join the Samsung Offer Program at samsung.com to access these benefits.

Nike provides a 10% discount for all U.S. military personnel, including active members, reservists, veterans, and retirees. Spouses and dependents are also eligible for this price reduction. Customers must show proof of military service to obtain the discount.

Lowe's offers a 10% everyday discount for active-duty service members, veterans, and their spouses. Additionally, the retailer provides special deals on appliances, grills, patio furniture, and other items through May 28, 2025, as part of its Memorial Day promotion.

Coleman offers up to 35% off on outdoor gear during its Memorial Day Sale. The discount applies to a variety of items including tents, coolers, grills, and lighting. The eligibility and timeframe for this offer are not specified in the provided information.

Bass Pro Shops and Cabela's have increased their Legendary Salute discount from 5% to 10% on almost everything in-store and online for Memorial Day. Veterans and active military members can take advantage of this expanded offer.

Discount Tire provides a 5% discount for active duty members, military veterans, and reserves through ID.me. This discount can be combined with other current deals and rebates.

Home Depot offers discounts on everything from appliances to outdoor furniture from May 15th through May 26th, 2025, as part of its Memorial Day promotion.

BigMouth Inc. provides up to 70% off outdoor essentials in its Memorial Day Sale, catering to beach lovers, pool enthusiasts, and backyard adventurers.

Food and Beverage Deals

Numerous food and beverage establishments offer special deals for military personnel during Memorial Day and Veterans Day.

GoPuff launches a special summer collection during Memorial Day Weekend, offering $10 GoCash back to customers who spend $35 on the Summer Shop collection. Additionally, FAM members can receive 40% off select summer drinks and sweets, including sparkling water, hydration drinks, popsicles, and ice cream sandwiches.

Eight O'Clock Coffee offers a 10% discount on sitewide orders from May 19-26 with the code DIVEIN.

Dunkin' offers its new medium-sized Tropical Guava or other Refresher flavors with a choice of sparkling water or lemonade for $3 on Memorial Day.

Golden Corral provides a free meal and drink to veterans and active-duty military members as part of its annual Military Appreciation Night, which celebrated its 25th anniversary.

Bob Evans locations offer a free meal from a special menu to veterans and active-duty military members.

City BBQ provides a complimentary meal to all veterans and active service members with a valid ID.

Wings Etc. Grill & Pub offers a free entrée at participating locations on Veterans Day.

McDonald's offers free breakfast meals on Veterans Day.

Texas Roadhouse continues its tradition of providing free meals for veterans and active service members.

Applebee's offers a complimentary full-size entrée from an exclusive Veterans Day menu to all active duty military, veterans, reserves, and National Guard members who dine in-restaurant.

Kroger provides a 10% discount to active duty and veteran military service members for both in-store and pick-up shopping.

Great Clips offers free haircuts to veterans and active military members. Non-military customers can also participate by getting a haircut and receiving a free haircut card to give to a veteran.

Planning Your Memorial Day and Veterans Day Outings

When planning to take advantage of these Memorial Day and Veterans Day offers, military personnel and their families should keep several considerations in mind:

1. Valid identification: Most offers require a valid military ID, DD214, or other proof of service. It's advisable to bring these documents when visiting participating establishments.

2. Date restrictions: Some offers are specifically for Memorial Day weekend or Veterans Day, while others may be available throughout the month of May or November.

3. Guest policies: Many attractions offer free or discounted admission for family members, but the number of guests allowed may be limited. Some venues specify "up to three guests" or similar limitations.

4. Advance reservations: Some attractions may require advance reservations, especially for popular destinations during holiday periods.

5. Verification processes: Some retailers use verification services like ID.me to confirm military status before applying discounts.

6. Exclusions: Some offers may have exclusions, such as not applying to special tours, events, or certain product categories.

7. Regional variations: Offers may vary by location, even within the same chain or organization. It's important to check with the specific location before visiting.

Conclusion

Memorial Day and Veterans Day provide numerous opportunities for military personnel and their families to enjoy free admission, discounts, and special offers across the United States. From theme parks and museums to restaurants and retailers, businesses express their gratitude through these exclusive benefits. By planning ahead and bringing proper identification, military families can maximize these opportunities to enjoy entertainment, dining, shopping, and cultural experiences at reduced or no cost. These offers not only provide financial savings but also serve as a meaningful acknowledgment of service and sacrifice.

Sources

1. Military Appreciation Month Discounts
2. Veterans Day Deals and Discounts
3. Memorial Day Sales Discounts Deals
4. Veterans Day Deals
5. Memorial Day Weekend Food Deals
6. List of Veterans Day Deals