17 Memorial Day Freebies and Deals for Veterans and Active Military

This Memorial Day, you may be looking forward to a long weekend with friends or family, celebrating a high school graduation or preparing your shopping list for holiday deals.

But as a nod to the real reason for the holiday, businesses around the country are offering special freebies and deals for veterans and active military members this Memorial Day weekend.

Here are 6 places you can go for free food on Monday, May 28, with your military ID:

Memorial Day Food Deals and Freebies

1. LaMar’s Donuts

Kick off your Memorial Day with a free donut and coffee from LaMar’s Donuts, available for all active and retired military personnel with proof of service.

2. Hooters

On May 28, all current and former military personnel can enjoy a free entree from the Hooters Memorial Day menu at participating locations nationwide. Options include a Buffalo chicken salad, Buffalo chicken sandwich, Hooters burger or 10-piece traditional, smoked or boneless wings with your choice of sauce.

3. McCormick & Schmick’s

Active-duty military and National Guard, veterans and gold star parents and spouses get a free lunch or dinner entree from the Memorial Day menu on May 28.

4. Twin Peaks

Participating Twin Peaks locations will honor past and present armed forces personnel with a free select menu item on May 28.

5. Firebirds Wood Fired Grill

Bring a veteran or active-duty service member with you to eat on Monday, May 28, and the restaurant will cover their lunch or dinner. The free entree must be the same price or less than your purchase.

6. Ninety-Nine

Veterans and active-duty military will receive a free meal from the chain’s 9 Real Size Entrées for $9.99 menu with the purchase of another meal and proof of service.

But the deals don’t stop at food. After you get your fill, head to any of these 11 parks and museums who are offering free admission this Memorial Day weekend:

Memorial Day Free Tickets to Fun

1. Hawaiian Falls Water Park

Take a trip to Hawaii for some fun in the sun – the only catch is, you’ll actually be in Texas. Hawaiian Falls water parks are offering active and retired military personnel free admission from May 26-28 with proof of service.

2. Kings Island

All active and retired military personnel can make a splash for free at Kings Island in Ohio on Memorial Day weekend. Enjoy free admission May 25-28 with proof of service.

And you don’t have to go alone! You can also purchase tickets for up to six family members at $34 per person.

3. Kings Dominion

If you’d rather stay dry this Memorial Day weekend, then head over to Kings Dominion theme park. All active and retired military personnel get in for free May 26-28 with proof of service. Discount tickets will also be available for your family.

4. Cedar Point and Cedar Point Shores

The “roller coaster capital of the world,” based in Ohio, is also offering free admission to all active and retired military personnel from May 25-28. The offer is available for both parks: Cedar Point and Cedar Point Shores. Just show your proof of service at the ticketing window to receive your free admission and up to six tickets at a discounted price of $44.

5. Michigan’s Adventure

Active and retired military personnel receive free admission to the 14th annual Tribute to Armed Forces at Michigan’s Adventure on May 27-28. You can also purchase tickets for up to six family members for only $26 each.

6. Valleyfair Amusement Park

If you’re in or near Minnesota, then head over to Valleyfair for some free fun. All active and retired military personnel with proof of service can enter the park for free May 26-28.

7. Colonial Williamsburg

Take a journey to the 18th century for free with proof of service at Colonial Williamsburg living history museum in Williamsburg, Virginia. This offer is available for all active and retired military personnel and up to three dependents – in other words, your kids get in for free, too!

8. Blue Star Museums

If you have a favorite museum, you may be able to get in for free this Memorial Day weekend – and all summer long! Blue Star Museums offers free admission to active-duty military personnel and their families. Check out their map to see participating museums by state.

9. Silverwood Theme Park

All military personnel, police officers and firefighters can enjoy free admission to Silverwood theme park in Idaho during American Heroes Weekend, May 26-28. Discounted rates will also be available for family members.

10. Worlds of Fun

This Kansas City amusement park is offering free admission to all active and retired military personnel, along with discounted tickets for family members. This offer is available on Monday, May 28.

11. Wild Adventures Theme Park

This Georgia theme park is honoring free admission for all active and retired military members from May 26-28. Discounted tickets for family and friends will also be available.

If you can’t get away this weekend, then check out these five organizations that offer military travel deals – you might just be able to plan an entire vacation for free! And be sure to check out this list of more than 100 places that offer military discounts all year long.

Bonus Memorial Day Freebie

On Saturday, May 26, participating Ace Hardware stores will be giving away one million flags, so be sure to stop by your local Ace to get yours.

Happy Memorial Day!

Dana Sitar (@danasitar) is a senior writer at The Penny Hoarder. She’s written for Huffington Post, Entrepreneur.com, Writer’s Digest and more, attempting humor wherever it’s allowed (and sometimes where it’s not).

Editorial assistant Jessica Gray contributed to this post.