This weekend we honor our veterans and many Central Florida restaurants and attractions are doing just that by offering special deals for vets, active-duty military and their families as part of Veterans Day. Deals include free or discounted meals, admissions and events. Here’s a roundup:
ATTRACTIONS
Bok Tower is offering a musical salute of gratitude to the military. Free admission offered to all branches of the military; active, retired, and disabled veterans with valid ID. Included with general admission or membership. When: 1-3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 11. Location: 1151 Tower Blvd., Lake Wales. More info: boktowergardens.org
Brevard Zoo in Melbourne is offering current military members and veterans complimentary general admission this coming Veterans Day weekend. The offer is valid on Saturday, Nov. 10 and Sunday, Nov. 11. Should a service member be deployed overseas, the zoo will admit his/her spouse at no charge. The zoo requires proof of military service is required to claim this offer. Address: 8225 N. Wickham Road, Melbourne. Hours: 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. daily. More information is available at www.brevardzoo.org.
Crayola Experience salutes the military through their “True Blue Heroes” program. Valid now through Nov. 30. Every day this month, all veterans, active and retired military personnel (with valid military ID) get free admission as a thank you for their service. Crayola Experience is located at the Florida Mall. Address: 8001 S. Orange Blossom Trail, Orlando. More information: crayolaexperience.com/orlando
Florida’s National Parks Entry fees to national parks in the U.S., including five in Florida, will be waived for Veterans Day. During the fee-free days, the parks waive entrance fees, commercial tour fees and transportation entrance fees. In Florida, the national parks that offer free admission are:
Castillo de San Marcos National Monument, in St. Augustine
Dry Tortugas National Park, 70 miles west of Key West
Gulf Islands National Seashore, at the Mississippi-Florida border
Everglades National Park, south of Miami
Harry P. Leu Gardens salutes the men and women who have served and those who continue to serve our country. The 50-acre botanical oasis is saying thank you to service members by offering free admission to all veterans and current military. Garden Admission is normally $10 for adults and $5 for children K-12. More info can be found at leugardens.org.
Legoland Florida in Winter Haven honors veterans and active duty military with 25 percent savings on select dates during the month of November. More info can be found at legoland.com.
Orlando Science Center is offering veterans and active military personnel with military ID free admission Nov. 1-21. Additionally, their attending family members will receive 50 percent off admission. A wreath-laying ceremony will be held at the Red Tails Monument in partnership with Vision of Flight at 2 p.m. on Veterans Day, Sunday, Nov. 11. More info can be found at osc.org.
St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum is offering veterans free admission on Sunday, Nov. 11 and Monday, Nov. 12. Immediate family members will also get 10 percent off the price of their admission. Free admission is available for active military and their immediate families as well. Location: 81 Lighthouse Ave., St. Augustine. Hours: 9 a.m.-6 p.m. daily. Regular admission is $12.95 for adults; $10.95 for seniors and children under 12; free for children less than 44 inches (unable to climb the tower). For more details, visit staugustinelighthouse.org or call 904-829-0745.
At Universal Orlando, Military members can purchase a four-day ticket for the price of a one-day ticket for use now through Dec. 31. Other options including two-park and three-park tickets are also available. For more details, visit universalorlando.com/military/.
DINING AND DRINKING
Specials and deals are available on Nov. 11 unless otherwise noted.
Applebee’s offers a free meal to veterans and active military. applebees.com.
Bar Louie offers active military and veterans will receive a free flatbread or burger up to $15 in value on Sunday, Nov. 11, from open to close. Valid military I.D. must be shown. barlouie.com
Bonefish Grill: Complimentary Bang Bang Shrimp on Sunday, Nov. 11 to active and retired service members with a valid military ID.
Buffalo Wild Wings: On Sunday, Nov. 11, participating restaurants will offer free small boneless or traditional wings and fries for all veterans or active-duty service members to show appreciation for their service. The offer is for dine-in only, and a valid military ID is required for redemption. More info: buffalowildwings.com.
California Pizza Kitchen will pay tribute to veterans and active duty members of the U.S. military Sunday, Nov. 11, by offering them a complimentary entrée from CPK’s special Veterans Day menu at all participating California Pizza Kitchen locations nationwide. Participating guests will also receive a card to redeem for a buy one, get one free offer on pizza, pasta, or salad during a return visit Nov. 12-18 (while supplies last). cpk.com
Chili’s offers a free entree to veterans from a select menu. chilis.com.
Cracker Barrel offers complimentary slices of its Double Chocolate Fudge Coca-Cola cake to veterans at all of its locations. crackerbarrel.com.
At Denny’s restaurants, active, inactive and retired military personnel get a Build Your Own Grand Slam free from 5 a.m.-noon on Nov. 12. (Dine-in only, valid military ID or DD214 required.) dennys.com.
Duffy’s is honoring all who have served by offering a 40 percent discount off food purchases 5 p.m.-close on Sunday, Nov. 11. Valid ID is required. duffysmvp.com
Participating Dunkin’ Donuts locations will offer a free doughnut to veterans and active duty military. dunkindonuts.com.
Friendly’s offers a complimentary Big-Two-Do breakfast and coffee or an All-American burger, fries and fountain drink to veterans and active military personnel with a valid military ID or honorable discharge card. friendlys.com.
Olive Garden will offer a free entrée from a limited menu to veterans and active military with valid ID. Dine-in only; beverages and gratuity not included. olivegarden.com.
Red Lobster offers a free appetizer or dessert, chosen from a special menu, to veterans, active duty military and reservists with military ID. Available Nov. 11 and 12. redlobster.com.
Red Robin offers a free Tavern Double burger and bottomless fries to veterans and active duty military. redrobin.com.
Ruby Tuesday offers a free appetizer (up to $10 in value) with valid military ID. rubytuesday.com.
Tijuana Flats is celebrating our nation’s heroes with free food on Veterans Day. Veterans with a valid military ID can visit any Tijuana Flats location for one free entree and fountain drink. The offer includes dine-in and take-out meals but is not valid for orders made online or through Uber Eats. tijuanaflats.com
At Texas Roadhouse, veterans and active-duty military personnel get a free lunch entree. Guests choose from a menu of 10 items, including 6-ounce sirloin steak, grilled pork chop, country fried chicken, pulled pork dinner or cheeseburger. Dine-in only. texasroadhouse.com.
OTHER
Great Clips salons give active military and veterans either a free haircut or a free haircut card on Nov. 11 that can be used any time through the end of 2018. greatclips.com.
Goodyear Auto Service and Just Tires locations nationwide offer free “Checks for Vets” (free tire, brake and battery) plus 10 percent off tires, to all active and retired military members and first responders, effective Nov. 9 to 11. goodyearautoservice.com.
Hyatt has introduced a new veteran and military rate to honor the men and women who have served in the U.S. military. Individuals who have served or are currently serving in any official government-sponsored branch of the United States armed services and their immediate family members can get between 10 and 15 percent off their stay at any participating Hyatt-branded hotel in the United States with offer code MILVET*. Eligible military personnel, veterans and their immediate family members can also combine the Veteran and Military Rate with Hyatt’s upcoming holiday promotion. More info can be found at worldofhyatt.com/holiday.
At Pilot Flying J, active duty and retired military veterans can redeem an offer in the myPilot app to enjoy a free Pilot Coffee of any size with choice of a PJ Fresh breakfast sandwich, packaged pastry item or a Cinnabon Center of the Roll. Available Nov. 10 to 12. pilotflyingj.com.
Westgate Resorts is giving away 1,500 free vacations to eligible U.S. military personnel. Starting at 9 a.m. EST on Nov. 9, the first 1,500 personnel who visit WestgateSalutes.com, complete the online military appreciation form and place a fully refundable $100 deposit will receive a complimentary stay for up to four guests at Westgate Town Center Resort & Spa or Westgate Vacation Villas Resort & Spa during the weekend of May 10-12, 2019. The free vacations are for military members who have deployed to a combat zone, combat veterans, Gold Star families and their immediate family members. A valid DD214 for combat veterans or a currently active Military ID card will be required in order to receive final confirmation.
Have a Veteran’s Day deal you would like to add? Email it to me at caarmstrong@orlandosentinel.com.
