Are you a member of the military community looking to explore the world without breaking the bank? Whether you’re on active duty, a veteran, or a family member, there are numerous opportunities to enjoy significant savings on travel expenses. Military travel discounts are a token of appreciation from businesses across various industries, ranging from airlines to hotels and everything in between. In this guide, we’ll explore the vast array of discounts available and how you can make the most of them to plan your next adventure.
Theme Parks and Attractions: Fun for the Whole Family
Planning a visit to a theme park or attraction? Many popular destinations offer military discounts on admission tickets. Whether you’re looking to experience the magic of Disney World, explore the exhibits at a museum, or enjoy a day at the zoo, be sure to inquire about military discounts when purchasing your tickets. These savings can add up, especially for larger families or groups.
Check your local MWR ITT (information, ticket and sales) office at your closest installation, or online at the closest installation that you’ll be visiting for ticket information.
Examples of Theme Parks available through MWR ITT include:
- Walt Disney World
- Disneyland
- Universal Studios Hollywood
- Universal Studios Florida
- Legoland Park / Peppa Pig Orlando
For convenience I order all my Orlando MWR ITT tickets online in advance through Shades of Green via the ticket request form. You can view pricing here.
I also like to do this because purchasing Walt Disney World tickets through Shades of Green means they already come activated, which is once less line on the first day of the park!
Additional parks include:
Waves of Honor (Busch gardens/Seaworld/Sesame Street)
Crayola: True Blue Heroes Annual Pass
Hershey Park: BOGO through ID.me (current offer expires 19MAY2024)
For other destinations you can check that area’s local MWR online for more activities with military discounts.
National Parks: Hike, Rest, Repeat
The “America the Beautiful National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Annual Pass” is a fantastic perk available to members of the military. This pass grants free access to more than 2,000 federal recreation sites across the United States, including national parks, wildlife refuges, forests, and other public lands managed by various government agencies.
To obtain the free annual pass, eligible military personnel can visit any federal recreation site that charges an entrance fee and present their valid military ID or Common Access Card. The pass is issued to the service member or veteran and is non-transferable.
Veterans also have a similar pass. The Veteran Pass is valid for a lifetime and does not need to be renewed. Once obtained, veterans can use the pass for the rest of their lives to access federal recreation sites across the country.
Blue Star Museums
The Blue Star Museums program is a collaborative effort between the National Endowment for the Arts, Blue Star Families, the Department of Defense, and participating museums across the United States. This initiative aims to show appreciation for the service and sacrifices of military personnel and their families by offering them free admission to over 2,000 museums nationwide during the summer months.
Participating museums span a wide range of interests and disciplines, including art, history, science, and culture. The free admission offer typically runs from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend, covering the summer months when families often seek out educational and recreational activities.
Vacation Specific Locations
Napa and Sonoma Valley:
- Discounts for active duty at various Vineyards that range from free tastings to free tours to discounts. (We had an amazing cave tour at Pine Ridge Vineyards. Please call ahead to up to date information on military discounts.)
Kentucky Bourbon Train (KY/TN):
- Various discounts for active duty at several of the bourbon distilleries. (I have previously enjoyed a free tour and tasting at Wild Turkey, Markers Mark, and Woodford reserve.) At the moment online suggests Woodford Reserve is now only 50% off for active duty and veterans. Please call ahead to up to date information on military discounts.
Washington DC/Virginia/Maryland area:
- Richmond science museum: free for active duty
- Kennedy Center via MyTix
- Great Country Farms: free for military and dependents except for weekends during Autumn season.
- Baltimore: discounts at Port discovery, the aquarium in Baltimore, and Calvert Marine Museum on Solomon’s island.
- Monticello: free year-round for the Highlights Tour or Grounds Ticket, discounted tickets for veterans
- Cafe Rio Mexican Grill: 50% off military Mondays in VA and MD, 25% off any day.
Hawaii area:
- UFO parasailing: 50% off for active duty
- Hale Koa Resort in Honolulu
- Navy Beach Cottages, Barking Sands on Kauai
- Several Luaus throughout Hawaii have military discounts
Chicago:
- Alder Planetarium: Free Admission Active duty, veterans, retirees
- Children’s Museum: Free Admission Active duty
- Field Museum: Free Admission Active duty
- Museum of Contemporary Art: Free Admission for Active duty and family.
- Museum of Science and Industry: Free Admission Active duty, veterans, retiree.
- Shedd Aquarium: Free Admission Active duty
- Chicago Cubs: Discounted (50% off) Tickets Active Duty, Terrace level, purchased day of game.
- Wrigley Field Tours: Free Admission One ticket per active-duty personnel with Military ID. Received at box office day of tour.
- Willis Tower Sky Deck: Free Admission Active-duty military, retired and veterans.
- White Sox Games: Free Admission Active Duty only, for select games, see their website
- Brookfield Zoo: Free Admission Active duty, reservist & retired
Atlanta:
- World of Coca Cola factory: active duty, reserve, veterans, and retired members of the US Armed Forces by offering 1 free ticket for admissions.
Bahamas:
- Caesar’s Palace Military Salute Card can provide a limited free stay at Atlantis in the Bahamas!
Arizona:
- Legoland Discovery Center Arizona Mills Mall: Free Admission for active duty and retired military
- Sea Life Aquarium at the Arizona Mills Mall:Free Admission for active duty and retired military
- Phoenix Children’s Museum (Friday free admissions in evening)
- Desert Botanical Garden Phoenix: free admission for military
NYC:
- Top of the Rock (half off, for active duty and veterans can buy up to 5 discounted admissions.
- MOMA: MoMA offers active US Military members one free admission for themselves and up to five additional tickets for family members with valid ID.9/11 Museum: active and retired military receive free Museum admission
Entertainment: Savor the Savings
Many entertainment venues offer military discounts on meals and tickets. Whether you’re dining out with family and friends or catching a movie at the theater, be sure to ask about military discounts when making your reservations or purchasing tickets. You may be pleasantly surprised by the savings you can enjoy.
- Kids Bowl Free
- Movement Climbing Gyms 10% off day passes
- Washington Post free for those with a .gov or .mil email address!
- Epic Ski pass: Pass Holders get summer benefits, including free scenic lift access
Websites: Your Ticket to Exclusive Deals
Travel Gear
Tips for Maximizing Savings
- Plan ahead: Many discounts require advance booking, so be sure to plan your travels well in advance to take advantage of the best deals.
- Compare prices: Don’t forget to compare prices from different providers to ensure you’re getting the best possible deal.
- Be flexible: Flexibility with your travel dates and destinations can often lead to greater savings, so keep an open mind when planning your trips.
- Always carry your military ID: Whether you’re booking flights, checking into hotels, or renting a car, always remember to carry your military ID to ensure you receive the discounts you’re entitled to.
Military travel discounts offer a fantastic opportunity for members of the military community to explore the world while enjoying significant savings on their travel expenses. By taking advantage of these discounts and following the tips outlined in this guide, you can make your travel dreams a reality without breaking the bank. So pack your bags, hit the road, and embark on your next adventure with confidence, knowing that you’re getting the best possible value for your travel budget.
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