Restaurants, retailers and service providers offer freebies, deals and specials on Memorial Day each year. We’ve put together a comprehensive list to make sure you never miss out!
What is Memorial Day?
Memorial Day is the day that we remember all those who died in active military service. This federal holiday often brings people to cemeteries, memorials and parades to remember those who have lost their lives in service to the United States.
When is Memorial Day?
Memorial Day used to be on May 30th each year, but now it is celebrated on the last Monday of May each year. This means that stores and restaurants with weekly Monday deals automatically offer Memorial Day specials!
For the next several years, Memorial Day will occur on the following dates:
- May 28, 2018
- May 27, 2019
- May 25, 2020
- May 31, 2021
- May 30, 2022
What places are offering Memorial Day specials?
There are many restaurants, retailers and service providers that offer discounts. We’ve rounded up as many as we could find, but if you can find more please let us know in the comments.
Some are limited to veterans and military, but many are available to everyone. Be sure to read the details!
Some take place over the weekend before Memorial Day, so be sure to read the details and contact your nearest location for details.
This list was updated to reflect discounts for 2019.
Restaurants
Applebees provides 15% discounts on meals for military and veterans throughout May. That’s because May is Military Appreciation Month.
Capriotti’s Sandwich Shop usually offers a free small sub to all active and retired military, as well as veterans with honorable or medical discharges, on Memorial Day each year.
Firebirds Wood Fired Grill offers a free entree with the purchase of another meal.
Fogo de Chão welcomes military and veterans to their restaurants with 50% off their meals on Memorial Day. You can bring three guests, who will enjoy 10% off their meals as well. This is one of our favorite Memorial Day specials.
Gordon Biersch usually offers a free appetizer for military and veterans with ID.
Hickory Tavern provides a 20% discount to military and veterans.
Hooters gives a free meal for military personnel and veterans on May 28th. They have a select menu you can choose your meal from.
Retail & Shopping
Since May is Military Appreciation Month, many of these deals are valid all month long. They aren’t exclusively Memorial Day specials, but they’re still worth mentioning.
Ace Hardware is giving away one million American flags on the Saturday before Memorial Day 2019. No purchase necessary! There is a limit of one per customer, while supplies last.
Alpha Industries is an online clothing retailer. During May, they double their military discount for active duty, reservists and retired military.
Army & Air Force Exchange Services provide a 15% discount from May 16th through the 30th. This discount is good on purchases made the first day when you open a Military Star account.
Commissaries in communities throughout the country and abroad feature sidewalk sales during the month of May. Most of them offer a weekend sale on or around Memorial Day. The site features listings of commissaries so you can find yours.
Eyemart Express provides quality eyewear for 20% off. This deal is valid to all military and veterans (as well as their depends with ID), throughout the month of May.
Food Lion is a grocery store that gives military personnel and veterans 10% off all eligible purchases. You will need to sign up for their rewards program and provide them with your military ID to get the discount.
Home Depot has Memorial Day specials at some locations including 10% to all military and veterans. They might also offer 10% for active duty military personnel all the time. You will need a valid military ID. Check with your local Home Depot as individual stores can choose to not offer these discounts.
Lowe’s home improvement store offers 10% off to active duty and Veterans. They may have additional discounts and Memorial Day specials.
Morris 4×4 provides accessories for offroading vehicles. Military personnel and veterans can get additional discounts during their Memorial Day sale. They also offer free shipping for orders above $75 during the sale.
Outdoor Bound gives veterans, military personnel and dependents 20% off their total order. You will need to provide proof with military ID in addition to using the promo code Military18.
Sherwin-Williams offers 10% off paints and stains for military and veterans throughout the month of May.
Sleep Number gives a military discount through the month of May. Until June 3rd, you can get a discount of $100 off any mattress that is already on sale.
Under Armour gives military personnel and veterans 10% off.
Walgreens advertised a 20% discount to all veterans, military and their immediate family members. This includes the family members of those who have lost their lives in the line of duty.
Zappo’s gives military personnel 10% off throughout the year. They require you to use SheerID for verification to get the discount.
Entertainment
There are many recreation and other venues that offer Memorial Day specials to military, veterans and others. These discounts vary by location.
Blue Star Museums are nationwide. Over 2,000 museums around the country participate in the Blue Star Museums program, which provides free admission to active duty military families. The program runs from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
Legoland Discovery Centers in several states will provide free admission to all veterans, active duty and reserve military members throughout May. Their family members and friends can receive 50% when visiting with a military guest.
Sea World, Busch Gardens, and Sesame Place offer free admission once per year for the military personnel and three of their dependents. You will need to be active duty and provide your military ID to get in for free. Veterans can get up to 50% off on four tickets.
Vet Tix is a donation-based company that offers free and seriously discounted tickets to events throughout the year. Military personnel and veterans could qualify for these tickets.
Health-Related
Healthsource Chiropractic has over 250 locations throughout the country. They offer free x-rays and exams for military personnel and veterans in May. To qualify for the military month special, you must show a valid military ID.
LasikPlus will provide veterans with a 20% discount on all their LASIK Eye Surgery procedures. You can get this discount at all 50 of their locations.
Auto
Hyundai offers a military discount all year long, but they offer double the savings (up to $1,000 off) from May 17 through June 3. You can use this in combination with other Memorial Day specials. Active duty, retired veterans, first responders and their spouses can all use the discount.
Jiffy Lube gives military members and veterans a 25% discount on all their services, every time and all the time. While the discount is not limited to Memorial Day, you will have to provide a valid military ID.
Accommodations
La Quinta by Wyndham in the United States and Canada gives active duty military personnel and veterans 12% off the best rate. The discount is more than just a Memorial Day special and is available year-round. Individual hotels may have additional perks or discounts.
Westgate Resorts gives 10% off to all military members, veterans, first responders and government employees. You will need to have a valid ID to get the discount. The discount is available year-round and is taken off the best rate.
Wireless
T-Mobile is giving people on the ONE military member plan a Samsung S8, S9 or S9+ for half price. They’re also encouraging their military customers to check out the ONE plan.
Alabama
Birmingham Zoo offers the Memorial Day special during May 26th – 28th. This special allows military personnel, dependents and veterans free admission.
Arkansas
Magic Springs Theme & Water Park offers free admission to military and veterans during Military Appreciation Month. Memorial Day is the last day to take advantage of this deal! Family members of eligible guests can receive a discounted admission rate of $35.99.
California
Bad to the Bone BBQ provides active duty military and veterans with 10% off all their purchases. You can save 10% the entire month of May with a valid military ID.
California’s Great America provides free admission to Great America throughout Memorial Day weekend. This includes the Saturday and Sunday before the holiday! Just show a valid ID at the ticket booth to claim free entry! You can buy up to six tickets for family or friends at a discount (just $24 each)!
Coffee Creek Ranch is a Dude Ranch in California with some awesome Memorial Day specials. They offer 25% discounts for military and veterans on Memorial Day. You’ll need to book yours by May 15 in order to enjoy your discounts. The discounts are available May 24-31st, although weekend and weekday pricing may vary.
Florida
DoubleTree by Hilton at Sea World reduces their regular rates for military families in May. The rates start at $99 and a valid military ID is required to get these rates. The rates and discounts are limited to this DoubleTree only.
Rosen Hotels & Resorts offers 50% off standard rates, food and beverage during Military Appreciation Month. They might also offer additional Memorial Day specials for active duty and veterans. This discount is valid only at Rosen Inn, Rosen Inn International, in Pointe Orland and the Lake Buena Vista Clarion.
Silver Sands Premium Outlets in Miramar Beach, offers special discounts and giveaways during the month of May. You can enter to win a $100 Visa gift card every hour during special events. Some stores at the outlets may offer additional Memorial Day specials.
Idaho
Silverwood Theme Park gives free admission to military members, veterans and first responders with identification during Memorial Day weekend. Family members may also get a discount to the theme park.
Kansas
Schlitterbahn Waterparks provides military members and first responders free admission during American Heroes Week (5/27 – 6/2). Spouses and dependents can get a 40% discount during this week. You will be required to have valid military or first responder ID. The discount can also be used for 20% off at some partner hotels.
Michigan
Michigan’s Adventure theme park does a Tribute to the Armed Forces event on May 26th and 27th. Members of the military and veterans can get free admission to the park. Up to six family members can also get tickets for only $27. The park also has specials throughout it and may have special events during the weekend.
Minnesota
Valleyfair provides veterans and active duty military members with free admission on May 24-27 and again on July 4-7. Family members can also get a discount on tickets at $37 during these times.
Missouri
Big Surf Water Park provides free admission to all people who are active duty with a valid Military ID. Their family members and veterans can get a 20% discount on their tickets!
Worlds of Fun has military days throughout the year. They offer free admission to veterans and active duty personnel. The days included are May 18th, May 27th, July 4th and September 2nd.
North Carolina
Carowinds in Charlotte NC also offers free park admission to active, inactive and retired military members who can show valid ID. This deal is also valid on May 26!
Ohio
Cincinnati Zoo welcomes all military and honorably disabled veterans for free on Memorial Day. They offer a similar program on the 4th of July and Veteran’s Day. Each military member can buy up to six half-priced admission tickets for their friends and family.
King’s Island amusement park gives military members and veterans free admission to the park on Memorial Day weekend. Your family can also get in for a reduced rate of $35 during the weekend.
National Veterans Memorial and Museum in Columbus gives free admission and parking to military members and Gold Star families. The discount is available for their Memorial Day Sale.
Pennsylvania
Crayola Experience provides free admission to all active, retired and veteran military members throughout May!
Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom provides free admission for active, retired and veteran military members. Each military or veteran member can purchase up to six discounted tickets for their family, for just $29.99 each! This deal is valid the weekend of Memorial Day and the 4th of July.
Hersheypark is one of PA’s biggest theme parks and most popular attractions. Hershey gives discounts for Military Appreciation weekend (May 18-20) to military families. You can get 40% off during the weekend and free parking!
Texas
Schlitterbahn Waterparks gives free admission to veterans and military members during American Heroes Week. Their families can also get 40% off during the week.
Virginia
Colonial Williamsburg offers free admission to all active duty, reservists, retirees, veterans, national guardsmen and their immediate dependents! Unlike other Memorial Day specials, theirs is valid from Friday through Monday on Memorial Day weekend.
King’s Dominion has a Memorial Day Weekend Salute on Memorial Day weekend. You can get free admission to the park if you are active duty or a veteran with a valid ID. This amusement park gets packed fast so make sure you arrive early for the shortest lines and best experience!
Virginia Aquarium gives military members and veterans 50% off during Sunday and Monday in May.
Save money and get free stuff!
Nicole Thelin
Nicole is the founder and lead researcher of Low Income Relief. After a personal experience with poverty and homelessness following her husband's sudden medical discharge from the U.S. Army, Nicole discovered the life-changing impact of community resources. This experience ignited her passion for empowering others to navigate similar crises. Nicole launched her writing career at age 16, working for various newspapers and publications. Her commitment to in-depth research and accessible content has been recognized by Google for Publishers and other industry leaders. For over 20 years, she has applied her investigative skills to uncover the most helpful, up-to-date information on benefits programs and community resources, ensuring Low Income Relief maintains the most extensive resource databases available.