Updated for 2024: Veterans Day free meals, car wash, haircuts, and other discounts

Most of the Veterans Day deal below are free meals and shopping discounts for veterans and active duty personnel. A few are also available to the general public. For meaningful events honoring veterans, see our list of Veteran’s Day Events such as parades and other commemorations.

Always keep in mind that prices and participation can vary–the deal may not be available at your nearest location. This is because national chains are often franchises that are locally owned and operated. A franchise can sometimes choose whether to participate in a national promotion.

When a minimum order purchase is specified, it is calculated BEFORE taxes, tips, or other fees.

Join the reward or loyalty program at businesses you frequent. Membership is usually free and you will get exclusive discounts and deals making it easy to save money. We have more tips for choosing a restaurant loyalty program to help maximize your savings.

2024 Free meals & food discounts for Veterans Day

(Listed alphabetically by business name)

Applebee’s: (multiple Puget Sound locations) typically offers free meals to Veterans & Active Duty Military on Veterans Day to honor them for their courage and sacrifice. Offers may vary so, call or visit your local franchise and ask about Veterans Day deals or discounts. 

Black Angus Steakhouse (Federal Way, Puyallup). Active and retired military members, first responders (police, EMT & fire fighters), nurses and other healthcare personnel, and teachers can receive 15% off their dine-in order at any Black Angus, any day! No codes or coupons, just present an ID to your server to receive the Heroes discount. More info: Heros Discount – Black Angus Steakhouse

Bonefish Grill (Bothell, Marysville) Heroes Discount is available all day, every day. The 10% discount is open to servicemen and women, veterans, and first responders, and their immediate family members who have VALID ID. See their website for details: Veterans and Military Discount (bonefishgrill.com)

Golden Corral (Puyallup): Military Appreciation Night will be held on Monday, November 11, 2024 from 5pm – close for any person who has served in the U.S. Military (retirees, veterans, active duty, National Guard or Reserves). Family, and friends are welcome to come join the celebration for our military heroes; however, the free ‘thank you’ dinner is for the person who served. Other guests will pay the regular dinner menu pricing.

Outback Steakhouse (multiple Puget Sound locations). All servicemen and women, veterans, and first responders and their immediate family members with valid ID can get 10% off their check all day, every day. More info: https://www.outback.com/offers/military-mates

Red Lobster (Lynnwood, Federal Way, Olympia, Tacoma). All active-duty military personnel receive a 10% discount on purchases every Monday. More info: Military Monday (redlobster.com)

Snoqualmie Casino | Seattle’s Closest Casino is offering a FREE buffet to all United States military veterans with valid military I.D. in the Falls Buffet. Hours: 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM. More info: Snoqualmie Tribe & Casino Veterans Day Free Buffet Offer (prod.livingsnoqualmie.com)

Wendy’s (multiple Puget Sound locations) salutes those who served or are currently serving in the U.S. military with a FREE Breakfast Combo, no purchase required*, during breakfast hours on Veterans Day, Monday, November 11 by notifying the crew member at the register or showing their VetRewards Card, no military ID required.

2024 More discounts & deals for Veterans Day

5.11 Tactical | Honors Veterans and First Responders (511tactical.com). A special thank you as a token of appreciation, take 25% OFF your purchase online. Offer valid from 11.08.24 to 11.11.24. Valid for Military (active and retired), First Responders, and Nurses and Medical Personnel. While supplies last. Exclusions may apply. 

Brown Bear Car Wash (multiple Puget Sound locations). Every Veterans Day (November 11) from 8 AM to 8 PM at Tunnel Car Washes all current or former members of the military can get a FREE Beary Clean car wash. The offer operates on an honor system and no verification or documentation is required. Drivers should identify themselves as a current or former member of the military to the wash attendant upon arrival. More info: National Guard & Reserve Support | Brown Bear Car Wash

Crocs: Clogs, Shoes & Sandals. Military Discount 15% OFF ALL FULL-PRICED STYLES. For instant access to this discount simply verify your military status with ID.me each time you shop. Offer valid online only at Crocs.com. Exclusions apply. More info: Crocs Military Discount | Crocs™

Foraging Hike on Cougar Mountain in Renton is free for veterans and their families. The accessible hike is led by mycophiles and includes coffee and donuts. Location: Harvey Manning Trailhead, SE Cougar Mountain Dr, Issaquah, WA 98027. More info: Harvey Manning Trail — Washington Trails Association

Museum of Flight (MOF) (Seattle): Honoring all of the men and women who have served our country, past and present, the MOF offers FREE General Admission for all veterans and activity duty military at the annual Veterans Day Ceremony. Free admission can only be redeemed on-site; not applicable for online sales. Free admission does not extend to persons’ entire group. More info: Veterans Day Celebration | The Museum of Flight

Northwest Trek Wildlife Park in Eatonville (nwtrek.org) Northwest Trek FREE admission on November 9-11, 2024 from 9:30AM – 3:00PM for U.S. military veterans and active-duty members. Immediate family members receive half-off general admission. Please visit the admission window. Offer is not valid online or for premier tours (Wild Drives/Keeper Adventure Tours). More info: Veterans’ Appreciation Day – Northwest Trek (nwtrek.org)

Free park entrance days in Washington State – Greater Seattle on the Cheap. Entrance fees are waived for everyone on November 11 for National Park sites and Washington State parks. 

Red Roof and HomeTowne Studios (locations across WA state and down the I-5 corridor) is an upscale economy hotel chain and offers active military and veteran guests exclusive travel discounts accepted at any location nationwide when traveling on business or on vacation. More info: Government and Military Hotel Discounts | Red Roof

Sports Clips: (multiple Puget Sound locations) stores around the country collect donations in-store to help fund their Help A Hero Scholarship Program. Visit your favorite Sport Clips location to make a donation to the program in-store from October 6 – November 16. And on Veterans Day, November 11th, participating Sport Clips locations will provide free haircuts to veterans and active-duty service members as well as donate $2 for every haircut service provided on that day. More info: Our Help a Hero Campaign Supports Veterans | Sport Clips

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2023 Free meals & food discounts for Veterans Day

As we verify these deals for the current year, we’ll move them to the above list.

Buffalo Wild Wings (multiple Puget Sound locations). Vets can just “wing it” on Veterans Day at Buffalo Wild Wings on Nov. 11, 2023. All past and present armed services members can get a FREE order of 10 boneless wings and fries. Buffalo Wild Wings GO locations are participating for walk-in/order at the counter only. 

Claim Jumper Steakhouse & Bar (Tukwila) honors veterans and active military with a free meal from select menu on November 13, 2023. More info: Veterans Day Observance – Claim Jumper Steakhouse & Bar

Dennys (multiple Puget Sound locations). All active, non-active and retired military personnel can kick off their Veterans Day weekend with a hearty breakfast at Denny’s. The popular diner is serving them a FREE Original Grand Slam breakfast from 5 a.m. to noon on Nov. 10, 2023. More info: Veterans Day freebies and deals 2023 – Living On The Cheap

Dick’s Drive-In (ddir.com) (multiple Puget Sound locations) Invite all Veterans and Active Duty Military (with valid ID) for a free meal on November 11th. 

Dick’s Drive-In (ddir.com) (multiple Puget Sound locations) will be donating all RoundUp for Charity donations raised the week of November 6-12, 2023 to the Compass Housing Alliance Veterans Program. Not local? Don’t worry, you can donate as well! All donations from apparel purchases at ddir.store during November will also go to Compass Housing Alliance.

Hard Rock Cafes (Seattle). Vets can rock out at Hard Rock Cafe on November 11, 2023. The popular rock-and-roll memorabilia restaurant is serving veterans and active-duty military members one of its signature entrées for FREE on Veterans Day. The offer is also redeemable with Hard Rock Cafe’s 15% military discount, so bring your family and friends. More info: Veterans Day freebies and deals 2023 – Living On The Cheap

Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt (multiple Puget Sound locations). All veterans receive their first 6 ounces of frozen yogurt and toppings for FREE on Veterans Day. If vets swirl more than 6 ounces, they can just pay the difference.

Red Robin (multiple Puget Sound locations). This Veterans Day, Red Robin Gourmet Burgers welcomes our nation’s Veterans and active military guests to dine-in and enjoy a complimentary Red’s Big Tavern Burger on Saturday, Nov. 11.

Yardhouse (downtown Seattle) celebrates veterans and active-duty military who have served our country with a complimentary appetizer on November 11, 2023. Dine-in only. No purchase necessary.

2023 More discounts & deals for Veterans Day

As we verify these deals for the current year, we’ll move them to the above list.

Great Clips: (multiple Puget Sound locations) Veterans & Active Military Members can visit a Great Clips salon on November 11 and receive either a free haircut that day or a free haircut gift card to use at a later date. Non-Military Customers who purchase a service at a U.S. Great Clips salon on Veterans Day can give a free haircut card to a military service member you know. The cards can be redeemed for a free haircut through November. More info: Thank a Veteran | Great Clips

Pilot Flying J | Travel Centers and Gas Station for Fueling (Arlington, Tacoma, Tumwater). Over Veterans Day weekend, November 10-12, 2023 a free meal credit (up to $12) will be available to qualified service members and families in the myRewards Plus app. Additionally, from October 23 through November 12, 2023, guests are invited to round up their purchase at any participating Pilot to support the Call of Duty Endowment, a non-profit organization dedicated to assisting veterans in transitioning to successful civilian careers post-military service. 

Target (multiple Puget Sound locations) thanks military personnel, veterans, and their families with 10% off two separate purchases from October 29 to November 11, 2023. You must be a member of Target Circle for the special discount. Restrictions apply. More info: Target Circle™ Rewards program

Event calendar of free and affordable things to do

Listed below are all types of free and affordable things to do in the next 30 days.

Featured Events are listed first each day, highlighted by a photo. These are unique, popular, or annual events that we or our advertisers don’t want you to overlook.

Find more events and ideas for affordable living at Greater Seattle on the Cheap – Free things to do, cheap fun, discounts and deals in the Seattle-Tacoma metro area