Veterans Day 2023: Free Meals, Shopping Discounts, More

Active-duty and retired military personnel can take advantage of a variety of freebies, deals, and savings

Aaron Kassraie,

AARP

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En español

Published November 03, 2022

/ Updated November 08, 2023

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Veterans and active service members are eligible for a variety of freebies, deals and discounts during November, particularly on Veterans Day, Nov. 11.

Below is a list of 2023 Veterans Day discounts tailored for veterans and active military members. All promotions listed have been verified and confirmed for accuracy as of the date of publication. Note that valid identification is often required to receive an offer.

Restaurants offering Veterans Day discounts

Applebee’s: Service members and veterans can receive a free meal from designated menu when dining in at participating locations on Veterans Day.
BJ’s Restaurants: Current and former military members who dine in on Veterans Day can receive a free Chocolate Chunk Pizookie with any purchase of at least $9.95. Veterans who spend more than $14.95 can have a coupon for a free appetizer to redeem by Dec. 31, 2023.
Bob Evans: Veterans and service members can enjoy a free entrée from a select menu Nov. 11 when dining in.
Bubba Gump Shrimp Co.: Military members may take 20 percent off their meal when dining in on Veterans Day, valid for parties up to four people.
California Pizza Kitchen: Veterans and active military may receive a complimentary non-alcoholic drink and free entrée from a prix fixe menu on Nov. 11.
Caribou Coffee: A free small hot coffee or cold press will be offered to veterans, active military members and their spouses.
Chili’s: Veterans and active military can enjoy a free entrée from a list of four options while dining in Nov. 11.
Chicken Salad Chick: Veterans and active-duty military may have a free meal on Nov. 11 at all locations.
Cracker Barrel: Veterans, active-duty military and their guests may receive a free slice of double chocolate fudge Coca-Cola with in-store purchase. Until Nov. 13, any military-themed products are 25 percent off in-stores and online.
Dave & Buster’s: Veterans and active military can get a free entrée and a $10 Power Card.
Denny’s: A free Grand Slam breakfast will be offered to veterans and military personnel on Veterans Day until noon.
Golden Corral: All current and former members of the military may enjoy a free meal from 5 p.m. to closing on Monday, Nov. 13.
The Greene Turtle: Veterans will receive a free meal worth up to $15 at select stores.
Hooters: Veterans may receive a free entrée from a Veterans Day menu while dining in with purchase of a beverage at participating locations
IHOP: Red, white and blueberry pancakes are free to veterans and active duty military on Veterans Day from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Joe’s Crab Shack: Those who have served enjoy 20 percent off their meal when dining in on Veterans Day from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Valid for parties up to four.
Little Caesars Pizza: Veterans and active military members can order a free Hot-N-Ready lunch combo between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. at participating stores.
McCormick & Schmick’s: Veterans, National Guard, Gold Star Parents and Spouses may enjoy half-priced entrées on Sunday, Nov. 12, from a Veterans Day menu.
Peet’s Coffee: Active military and veterans can order a free small drip coffee or tea on Veterans Day. Offer valid at participating Peet’s locations.
Red Robin: A free Red’s Big Tavern Burger with endless steak fries is available to veterans and active military members who dine in on Veterans Day.
Sheetz: Veterans and active-duty military personnel may order a free half turkey sub and regular size fountain drink at any location. Free $9 car washes are also provided.
Sizzler: Active-duty military members and veterans may choose between a free half-dozen crispy shrimp, Malibu chicken or 6-ounce tri-tip steak entrée. (Locations in Utah, Idaho and Puerto Rico excluded.)
Starbucks: Veterans, military members and spouses can order a free tall hot or cold brew coffee on Nov. 11 at participating locations.
White Castle: All veterans and active-duty service members may order a free combo meal or breakfast combo at participating locations on Nov. 11.
Yard House: Veterans and active-duty military can order a free appetizer on Veterans Day.

Shopping with Veterans Day discounts

American Signature Furniture: Active and retired military members and their immediate family are eligible for 20 percent off select items online and at participating stores. Discount also valid at Value City Furniture and Designer Looks.
Aura: The cybersecurity company is offering military members, veterans and their families up to 68 percent off its protection plans after a one-month free trial.
Food Lion: Current and former military members can save 10 percent on their in-store shopping before taxes on Veterans Day.
Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company: Between Nov. 10 and 14, military members, veterans and first responders will receive 10 percent off tires and services. This deal may be combined with current offers for tires and services such as the free Car Care for Vets.
HyVee: Many of the grocer’s stores offer a free breakfast buffet Nov. 10 to veterans and active-duty military members from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. They may also receive 15 percent off their purchase while shopping at HyVee and Dollar Fresh Market.
IKEA: Certain stores are offering veterans and their spouses free entrées and 15 percent off in-store home furnishing up to $3,000.
Publix: Veterans and their families can save 10 percent on groceries purchased in store Nov. 11.
Rack Room Shoes: U.S. military personnel and their families can receive a 20 percent discount on in-store purchases Veterans Day; every Tuesday, the military discount is 10 percent.
Sleep Number: All active, veteran, retired and reservist military personnel may take advantage of a 20 percent discount on most smart beds, bases, furniture and bedding.
Target: Military, veterans and their families who enroll in Target Circle may take 10 percent off two qualifying storewide purchases between Oct. 29 and Nov. 11; exceptions apply.
TOPS Market: All veterans and active-duty personnel may receive an 11 percent discount off their total purchase on Nov. 11.
Tractor Supply: Service members, veterans and their dependents can take 15 percent off their purchase on Veterans Day.
Under Armour: Active duty, retirees, veterans, military spouses and family members qualify for up to 40 percent off purchases between Nov. 2 and Nov. 19 in store and online.
Walgreens: From Friday, Nov. 10, through Monday, Nov. 13, veterans, military and their families will receive 20 percent off select regular price eligible store items, including at Duane Reade.

Haircut discounts for Veterans Day

Great Clips: On Nov. 11 veterans and active service members can get a free haircut or a coupon for a free cut to use later. Civilian customers who get a haircut on Veterans Day can also request a free haircut card to give to an active service member or veteran to redeem between Nov. 12 and Dec. 1.
Sport Clips: Participating locations will provide free haircuts Nov. 11 to veterans and active duty service members. Additionally, $2 from every haircut will be donated to the Veterans of Foreign Wars Help a Hero scholarship for veterans.

Travel discounts for veterans

9/11 Museum in New York City: From Nov. 8 to Nov. 12, veterans and up to three guests may receive free admission. Advance registration is encouraged.
Army Corps of Engineers Recreation Areas: No fees will be charged to the entire public on Veterans Day at its 2,850 recreation areas nationwide, excluding camping. Find a location near you.
B&B for Vets: Participating inns are offering free or discounted stays on or around Veterans Day to current and former military members.
Birmingham Zoo: Free admission is available to veterans, active military and five dependents on Nov. 11 and 12.
Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville: Active-duty and retired service members enjoy free admission on Veterans Day. Timed ticket reservations are recommended in advance.
Mount Vernon, Virginia: On Veterans Day, all military members and veterans get free entry to George Washington’s former home on the Potomac River.
National Parks: All national parks offer free admission for everyone on Veterans Day. Many historic sites are also served by the National Park Service.
North Carolina Zoo: Free admission is available for military personnel, veterans and one guest between Nov. 6 and 12.
Pro Football Hall of Fame in Ohio: Veterans, service members and National Guard members may be admitted for free with one guest.
San Antonio Zoo in Texas: Throughout November, the zoo will offer free admission to all military members, active or retired. Direct dependents are eligible for 50 percent off admission.
Super 8: Active and retired military members, veterans and their families can save 15 percent at participating Super 8 hotels. Wyndham Rewards members also receive 1,000 bonus points for a stay booked by Dec. 8.
World of Coca-Cola in Atlanta: Military members can purchase up to 4 general admission tickets for 50 percent off between Nov. 3 and 12. Use promo code VETS2023 at checkout.
World War I Museum in Kansas City, Missouri: Admission to the museum and memorial is free for veterans and active-duty military personnel between Nov. 10 and 12. General admission for the public is half-off.
Word War II Museum in New Orleans: All veterans receive free admission to the museum on Veterans Day.

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Aaron Kassraie writes about issues important to military veterans and their families for AARP. He also serves as a general assignment reporter. Kassraie previously covered U.S. foreign policy as a correspondent for the Kuwait News Agency’s Washington bureau and worked in news gathering for USA Today and Al Jazeera English. 