For military & veterans

Free admission for military and veterans

22 places with free entry for active-duty service members, veterans or their families, including 8 theme parks and aquariums.

Each offer below is checked against the park's or museum's own website: who qualifies, how many family members, the dates and the ID you need. Discounts are listed separately — they are not free. In summer, Blue Star Museums opens thousands of museums to military families for free.

Theme parks

Theme parks and aquariums with free military tickets

Program

Blue Star Museums: free museums every summer

Currently serving US military members (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Space Force, Coast Guard), including Reserve and National Guard (regardless of status), the U.S. Public Health Commissioned Corps and the NOAA Commissioned Corps, plus up to five family members. Veterans and retirees are not included. Every year from Armed Forces Day (a Saturday in mid-May) through Labor Day (the first Monday of September). The 2026 season ran 16 May – 7 September; the 2027 dates are not announced yet.

How Blue Star Museums works and the next dates →

Museums, zoos & more

Other places free for military or veterans

Chicago

New York

Los Angeles

Not free

Military discounts (paid tickets)

FAQ

Military and veterans free admission: common questions

Is Brookfield Zoo free for active-duty military?

Yes. Free admission for active, reservist and veteran military. Show military ID at an admission booth.

Is Shedd Aquarium free for active-duty military?

Yes. Free general admission for active-duty U.S. military personnel. Service member only; dependents and family are not included.

Is SeaWorld Orlando free for active-duty military?

Yes. Waves of Honor: one free single-day visit a year for active-duty military and up to 3 direct dependents (through 31 Dec 2026). U.S. active-duty military, activated or drilling reservists and National Guard (all ready reservists qualify regardless of deployment). Service member plus up to 3 direct dependents. One park, one visit per person per year. Valid U.S. military ID (or dependent ID) matching the eTicket; service member shows military ID at the front gate. Parking not included. Not valid at Aquatica Orlando or Discovery Cove, nor for Howl-O-Scream, Coasters After Dark or other separately ticketed events; blackout dates may apply. Dependents of a deployed service member can claim; a single parent's caregiver should contact Guest Relations. Not eligible: veterans, military retirees, inactive/standby/retired reserve, U.S. Merchant Marine and DoD civilians. Valid until Thursday, 31 December 2026.

Is SeaWorld San Antonio free for active-duty military?

Yes. Waves of Honor: one free visit a year for active-duty military and up to 3 direct dependents (visit by 31 Dec 2026). U.S. active-duty military, activated or drilling reservists and National Guard (all ready reservists qualify). Service member plus up to 3 direct dependents, each with a valid active-military or dependent ID. One park, one visit per person per year. Register online, print tickets and visit by 31 Dec 2026. Dependents of a deployed service member can claim; a single parent's caregiver should contact Guest Relations. Not eligible: veterans and retirees (they get a discount), DoD civilians, allied-country service members. Valid until Thursday, 31 December 2026.

Do veterans get free tickets to SeaWorld San Diego?

Yes. Waves of Honor for veterans: one free visit for veterans, retirees and up to 3 friends or family (obtain and use by 31 Dec 2026). U.S. military veterans, retired veterans and retirees who served honorably. One-time free admission for the veteran plus up to 3 friends or family (the FAQ on the same page says up to two - check the number offered at checkout). The veteran must be present with the guests. Eligibility is verified online through ID.me; the page says a valid military ID is required for all visits and dependents over 10 must also show ID - it does not list DD-214 or VA card as alternatives. Excludes Howl-O-Scream and separately ticketed events. Valid at SeaWorld San Diego only. Valid until Thursday, 31 December 2026.

Is SeaWorld San Diego free for active-duty military?

Yes. Waves of Honor: one free visit for active-duty military and up to 3 direct dependents (through 31 Dec 2026). U.S. active-duty military, activated or drilling reservists and National Guard. Service member plus up to 3 direct dependents, single visit; eTicket valid at SeaWorld San Diego only. Valid active military ID (or dependent ID) matching the eTicket. Spouses can redeem if the service member is overseas (log in under the member's account). Excludes Howl-O-Scream and separately ticketed events. Not eligible: inactive/standby/retired reserve, U.S. Merchant Marine, DoD civilians. Valid until Thursday, 31 December 2026.

Is Busch Gardens Tampa free for active-duty military?

Yes. Waves of Honor: one free single-day visit a year for active-duty military and up to 3 direct dependents (through 31 Dec 2026). U.S. active-duty military, activated or drilling reservists and National Guard. Service member plus up to 3 direct dependents. One free admission per person per year at ONE park only (Busch Gardens, SeaWorld or Sesame Place Philadelphia) - using it elsewhere uses it up. Valid U.S. military ID (or dependent ID) matching the eTicket name, shown at the gate. Not valid at Adventure Island or for Howl-O-Scream and other separately ticketed events; blackout dates may apply. Not eligible: veterans, military retirees, inactive/standby/retired reserve, U.S. Merchant Marine and DoD civilians. Valid until Thursday, 31 December 2026.

Is Busch Gardens Williamsburg free for active-duty military?

Yes. Waves of Honor: one free visit for active-duty military and up to 3 direct dependents - visit by 8 Nov 2026. U.S. active-duty military (Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, Space Force), activated or drilling reservists and National Guard. Service member plus up to 3 direct dependents, each with a valid active-military or dependent ID. One free admission per year at one park (SeaWorld, Busch Gardens, Water Country USA or Sesame Place). Register online, print tickets and visit by 8 Nov 2026 at Busch Gardens Williamsburg. Not valid for Christmas Town or other separately ticketed events. Not eligible: veterans, military retirees, inactive/standby/retired reserve, U.S. Merchant Marine and DoD civilians. Valid until Sunday, 8 November 2026.

Do veterans get free tickets to LEGOLAND Florida?

Yes. Free entry for U.S. veterans (1 Oct - 30 Nov 2026), plus 50% off for up to 6 guests. U.S. veterans are named among those eligible for the specials, which include free entry. Free entry is for the service member / first responder only (not family). Up to 6 guests visiting with them get 50% off (savings vs gate price). Valid for visits 1 Oct - 30 Nov 2026 at LEGOLAND Florida theme park. Choose 'Military' or 'First Responder' on the offer page; both lead to an ID.me-verified online ticket shop. The page does not say which ID to show at the gate - bring the ID used for ID.me (e.g. military ID). Not combinable with other discounts. Valid Thursday, 1 October 2026 – Monday, 30 November 2026.

Is LEGOLAND Florida free for active-duty military?

Yes. Free entry for U.S. military (1 Oct - 30 Nov 2026), plus 50% off for up to 6 guests. U.S. military; spouses and dependents count as family (guest discount). Free entry is for the service member / first responder only (not family). Up to 6 guests visiting with them get 50% off (savings vs gate price). Valid for visits 1 Oct - 30 Nov 2026 at LEGOLAND Florida theme park. Choose 'Military' or 'First Responder' on the offer page; both lead to an ID.me-verified online ticket shop. The page does not say which ID to show at the gate - bring the ID used for ID.me (e.g. military ID). Not combinable with other discounts. Valid Thursday, 1 October 2026 – Monday, 30 November 2026.

Which museums are free for military families?

Each summer, more than 2,000 US museums let currently serving military members and up to five family members in free. It runs from Armed Forces Day in May to Labor Day in September. Every year from Armed Forces Day (a Saturday in mid-May) through Labor Day (the first Monday of September). The 2026 season ran 16 May – 7 September; the 2027 dates are not announced yet.

Which other places on Free Tickets are free for military or veterans?

Adler (Chicago), Art Institute (Chicago), DuSable Museum (Chicago), Field Museum (Chicago), Griffin MSI (Chicago), MCA Chicago (Chicago), LACMA (Los Angeles), NHM (Los Angeles) and 6 more. Each page has the exact rule and the ID to bring.

Do Universal, Disney or Legoland give free military tickets?

They offer discounts rather than free entry: Universal Orlando Resort — Discount, not free: 2026 Military Freedom Pass from $220 (2-park), sold only at base ticket offices; valid through 18 Dec 2026, blockouts apply.; Walt Disney World — Discount, not free: Military Salute tickets - $499 Celebrates America ticket or 4-6 day tickets from $409; valid to 18 Dec 2026, blockout 22-28 Nov.; Six Flags Fiesta Texas — Discount, not free: military (active and retired) and first-responder tickets $35 online vs $90 gate, via ID.me; limited-time, no end date published.; LEGOLAND California Resort — Discount, not free: standing military/veteran savings on 1-day tickets and Resort Hopper tickets with 2nd day free; no end date published.; SeaWorld Orlando (veterans) — Discount, not free: veterans get 50% off single-day tickets for themselves and up to 5 guests; buy and visit by 31 Dec 2026.; SeaWorld San Antonio (veterans) — Discount, not free: veterans and retirees get a discount on single-day tickets, also at the front gate; percentage and end date not published..

Sources

Where this comes from