Jacksonville, Florida, offers a wide array of freebies and discounts specifically for active duty military personnel, veterans, retirees, and their families. These offers span dining, entertainment, recreation, travel, and local retail. Eligibility typically requires valid military identification or proof of service, such as a military ID, VA card, or a DD214 form. The following guide details the available offers based on current information, including specific terms, locations, and redemption procedures.
Dining and Restaurant Offers
Several restaurant chains and local establishments in Jacksonville provide complimentary meals or significant discounts to military members.
Pollo Tropical Pollo Tropical offers a recurring monthly promotion for military personnel. * Offer: A free quarter chicken platter with two sides. * Eligibility: Active duty and military veterans with valid identification. * Schedule: The offer is valid every second Tuesday of the month. * Locations: The promotion is valid at all Florida Pollo Tropical locations, including five in Jacksonville: 9370 Atlantic Blvd, 4863 Gate Parkway North, 10989 San Jose Blvd, 13776 Old St Augustine Road, and 730 Skymarks Drive. * Redemption: The offer is valid all day, dine-in or drive-thru. No coupon is required.
Mission BBQ Mission BBQ supports the military with a specific annual appreciation week. * Offer: A free sandwich. * Schedule: The offer was valid from May 13, 2019, to May 19, 2019. * Locations: Town Center and Orange Park locations in Jacksonville.
Pilot Flying J Pilot Flying J offers a meal credit for verified military members. * Offer: A free meal up to $12. * Eligibility: Active, retired, or veteran service members verified through ID.me, plus their families. * Redemption: The credit is accessed through the myRewards Plus app at participating Pilot, Flying J, and One9 Fuel Network travel centers.
Other Restaurant Chains Various national chains offer complimentary meals on Veterans Day (November 11). * Applebee’s: Veterans and active-duty military receive a free meal from a select menu. Dine-in only. * Bob Evans: Veterans and active duty military receive a free meal from a select menu. Dine-in only. * Bonefish Grill: Active-duty service members and veterans receive a complimentary order of Bang Bang Shrimp with a soft beverage. Valid ID required.
Entertainment and Attractions
Jacksonville offers free admission and discounts to zoos, sporting events, and unique experiences for military families.
Jacksonville Zoo and Botanical Gardens The zoo provides free admission on Veterans Day and a year-round discount. * Veterans Day Offer: Free General Admission for military veterans and active-duty service members. Tickets must be reserved online in advance. Military or Veteran ID is required for verification at the entrance. * Year-Round Discount: 10% off all tickets and memberships for active, inactive, and veteran military. ID (military ID, DD214, VA card, or veteran denotation on driver’s license) must be presented on-site for purchase. There is no penalty for same-day purchases requiring ID verification. * Special Events: The zoo hosts a USO Military Appreciation Night (historically in May). Admission includes zoo admission, unlimited train rides, and the Land of the Tiger exhibit. Wristbands are available for purchase at NAS Jax, Mayport USO offices, and Kings Bay ITT offices. The event is open to active duty, retirees, reservists, national guard, veterans, DOD personnel, and dependents. Dependent children are not authorized to purchase wristbands.
Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp (Baseball) The minor league baseball team hosts military appreciation nights. * Offer: Free admission for all military members and dependents. * Schedule: Specific dates include August 14, 2025, and August 28, 2025. * Contact: Theresa Viets for more information.
Community First Igloo This venue offers discounts on various programs. * Offer: A 10% discount for the military. * Eligibility: Most programs are eligible.
Prototype Escape Games * Offer: $3 off per player. * Restriction: One military ID applies the discount to the entire group.
The Tasting Tours, LLC * Offer: $10 off per person with military ID.
Automotive and Car Washes
Waters CarWash * Offer: Free car wash. * Eligibility: Active duty, reserve, retired, and veteran military members. * Schedule: Valid from November 9-11 (Veterans Day weekend). * Location: 1785 Wells Road in Orange Park. * Redemption: Bring your military ID.
Retail and Services
Sunrise Surf Shop * Offer: 10% off all items. * Exclusions: Hard goods. * Eligibility: Active, reserve, retired, and veteran members and spouses.
Happy Medium Books Cafe * Offer: 12% Military Discount for any purchase. * Eligibility: Active, reserve, retired, and veteran members and spouses.
First Coast YMCA * Offer: Free use of the Y. * Schedule: Historically offered during the month of May (Military Appreciation Month). * Eligibility: Active duty, veterans, and reserve military members and their families.
Travel and Accommodation
Several hotels in Jacksonville offer discounted rates for military personnel and veterans.
- Home2 Suites by Hilton Jacksonville South St. Johns Town Center: Percentage off the best available rate; subject to availability. Valid for veterans, active duty, and retired military. Valid U.S. or Canadian military ID required at check-in.
- Home2 Suites Jacksonville Airport: Offers per diem rates and a percentage off for government contractors.
- Hyatt Place Jacksonville Airport: Offers a discount of 5%-10% off the best available rate for active duty (leisure travel), retirees, and spouses.
- La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Jacksonville Butler Blvd: 12% off the best available rate for active and retired military members. Reservations must be guaranteed with a valid credit card.
- Marriott Jacksonville Downtown: 30% off dining at Juliette’s restaurant and 15% off overnight stays.
- One Ocean Resort & Spa: 15% off the best available rate (based on availability) using promo code "MILDIS". Also offers 10% off catering events food and beverage.
- Residence Inn Jacksonville Airport: Government per diem rate for suites.
Events and Community Programs
Florida's Largest Freedom & Beer Run * Event: A run or walk along the riverfront in Downtown Jacksonville. * Date: Historically Saturday, June 29th. * Registration Includes: Race bib, timing chip, t-shirt, custom medal, two beers, and bacon during the race. * Promo Code: VETS4VETS can be used to assist in fundraising. * Website: http://www.jaxfreedomrun.com/
Gratitude America * Offer: Unique trips for veterans. * Status: More information was historically available via links on the source page.
City of Jacksonville Memorial Day Ceremony * Initiative: The City of Jacksonville seeks to locate D-Day/Normandy survivors to honor them at the annual Memorial Day ceremony. * Action: Individuals are asked to contact the city via email with contact information for potential honorees.
Conclusion
Jacksonville provides a robust selection of freebies and discounts for the military community. Offers range from monthly free meals at Pollo Tropical to annual free admission at the Jacksonville Zoo on Veterans Day and various retail discounts. Many offers require specific identification and may have limited-time validity or require online reservation. Consumers should verify current details and eligibility requirements directly with the specific vendor before visiting.