Veterans Day 2024 in New Jersey offers a wide array of free meals, beverages, and experiences for veterans and active-duty military personnel. Businesses across the state are providing complimentary food, discounted activities, and special events to honor military service. Most offers require valid military identification or proof of service, and participants are advised to confirm details with individual locations before visiting.
Many national restaurant chains participate annually in Veterans Day promotions. Applebee's provides a free meal from a select menu for veterans and active-duty military, available for dine-in only with a military ID. Bob Evans offers a free meal from a select menu, while Buffalo Wild Wings gives ten free boneless wings with fries. Chili's extends a free meal on select items, and Dave and Buster's provides a free $20 entrée and a $10 Power Card. Denny's offers a free Original Grand Slam breakfast until noon, and Dunkin' provides a free donut. Golden Corral gives a complimentary meal after 5 PM, and Hooters offers a free entrée from their special Veterans Day menu with the purchase of a beverage. IHOP provides a free red, white, and blue pancake meal, and Olive Garden offers a free entrée from a special menu. Starbucks gives a free tall (12-ounce) hot brewed coffee, which was expanded in 2022 to include a free tall iced coffee. Wendy's provides a free breakfast combo, and TGI Friday's offers a free lunch from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. from a select menu at participating locations.
Specific locations in New Jersey have additional promotions. Applebee's also allows veterans and active-duty service members to dine for free on November 11. When dining with a veteran or active-duty service member on that day at participating locations, the meal for the veteran is free, valid for dine-in only. Red Lobster offers veterans, active-duty military, and reservists a free Walt's Favorite Shrimp, Fries, and Coleslaw on November 11, available for dine-in and To Go orders placed in-restaurant between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. local time. Smashburger provides a free burger or sandwich when a valid military ID is shown in-store on November 11 at participating locations. Rosa Mexicano, which has one location in New Jersey, offers veterans and active-duty service members a complimentary meal on November 11. 7-Eleven veterans get a free Quarter-Pound Big Bite 100% all-beef hot dog on November 11, available in-store and via delivery through the 7NOW app. BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse offers veterans and active military members a free Chocolate Chunk Pizookie on Veterans Day, with no purchase necessary, and a coupon for a free appetizer valid from November 12 through December.
Beyond food offers, several non-food businesses and attractions in New Jersey provide special Veterans Day deals. Big SNOW American Dream, an indoor ski and snowboard center, offers three free hours of skiing or snowboarding to veterans and active-duty service members on Veterans Day from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. The offer includes equipment rentals, outerwear, helmets, and complimentary lessons at the resort’s Terrain Based Learning Area. Participants must present valid military identification to redeem the offer.
SEA LIFE Aquarium and LEGOLAND Discovery Center New Jersey at American Dream are offering free admission all month to active-duty military members and veterans. They also provide a 30 percent discount on admission for up to six family members or friends. Military personnel can explore the aquarium's exhibits and enjoy workshops and miniature cityscapes at the discovery center.
Wayback Burgers is donating to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation as a thank you to military heroes for Veterans Day. The company has a location at 17 Hampton House Road in Hampton Township.
Several Veterans Day events are also scheduled in New Jersey. The city of New Brunswick, Highland Park, and the Raritan Valley Veterans Alliance host an annual Veterans Day parade and ceremony on November 11. The event starts at 11 a.m. at the Doughboy Monument in Veterans Memorial Park on Raritan Avenue in Highland Park. After the ceremony, the parade begins along Route 27 leading to Monument Square Park on Livingston Avenue. The Battleship New Jersey Museum and Memorial in Camden hosts its annual Veterans Day Ceremony on November 11, honoring anyone who has served in the military. The event is open to the public and free to attend. It includes a special tribute to the United States Marine Corps for its 250th Birthday, with attendees including Medal of Honor recipient Colonel Harvey C. Barnum, Jr., and retired United States Marine Corps Brigadier General Dustin “Warren” Byrum. A ceremonial cake cutting and ribbon cutting for the refurbished Marine Detachment berthing space will follow the ceremony.
Most Veterans Day offers require a valid military ID or proof of service. It is recommended to call ahead to confirm that a specific location is honoring the offer, as participation may vary by franchise. These promotions are designed to thank veterans and active-duty military personnel for their service and sacrifice.
Sources
- Explore New Jersey - Veterans Day 2024 Discounts, Freebies, and Deals
- Magic 98.3 - Veterans Day in NJ: Free Food and Events for Military Personnel
- NJ 101.5 - 15 Spots in NJ Offering Free Veterans Day Food and Drinks Nov. 11
- WRNJ Radio - Veterans Day Specials: Free Skiing, Dining, Donations, and Family Fun Discounts Across New Jersey