New York City Mayor Eric Adams today announced new partnerships with restaurants and cultural institutions across the five boroughs to offer free admission, discounts, and other benefits for active U.S. military members, veterans, and their families for Memorial Day weekend, from this Saturday, May 24, 2025, through Monday, May 26, 2025. As New York City celebrates Fleet Week, Military Appreciation Month, and “Veterans and Service Members’ Week” in the five boroughs, these benefits build on existing discounts that the city is highlighting, creating opportunities for veterans and service members to experience the full range of New York’s cultural and culinary offerings at a reduced price.
“As we continue ‘Veterans and Service Members’ Week’ and Military Appreciation Month, our administration is excited to announce new partnerships with restaurants and cultural institutions across the five boroughs to offer discounts and deals to New York City’s veterans, service members, and their families,” said Mayor Adams. “These brave men and women have given so much for their country and for this city, and it’s our duty, especially as a city that was attacked by foreign enemies on 9/11, to support those who served. We’re investing in housing and employment opportunities for our veterans, and with today’s announcement, we’re ensuring veterans and service members can experience the full range of what New York City has to offer.”
“New York City’s veterans and service members have earned more than just our gratitude — they have earned the right to feel at home in this city,” said New York City Department of Veterans’ Services Commissioner James Hendon. “These partnerships are a meaningful gesture of welcome and respect, opening the doors to culture, essence, and spirit that make this great city. We thank every institution and restaurant helping us show what appreciation looks like in action.”
“What better way to salute our active service members and veterans than by welcoming them to New York City’s most iconic cultural institutions with open arms,” said New York City Department of Cultural Affairs Commissioner Laurie Cumbo. “From free admission to our beloved zoos and botanical gardens, to free access and discounts at world renowned museums and performing art centers, we thank our cultural partners for rolling out the red carpet for service members, veterans, and their families as we celebrate Fleet Week and mark ‘Veterans and Service Members’ Week.’”
“The 34 performing arts venues, gardens, museums, and zoos that make up the Cultural Institutions Group are proud to offer our city's veterans and active service members and their families a huge menu of options and activities this Memorial Day weekend,” said Coco Killingsworth, chair, Cultural Institutions Group (CIG), and chief experience and impact officer, Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM). “From street festivals and lively performances, to quiet and serene gardens, to fantastic exhibits at the world renowned museums, New York City has something to inspire and honor all this weekend.”
“New York City is proud to honor and welcome our nation’s veterans, active-duty service members, and their families — not just during Fleet Week and Military Appreciation Month, but year-round,” said Julie Coker, president and CEO, NYC Tourism + Conventions. “The offers and incentives from restaurants and cultural institutions across all five boroughs underscore our city's deep gratitude and commitment to those who have served. We invite service members and veterans to explore the very best of New York City’s dining, arts, and cultural offerings—because this city belongs to them, too.”
Restaurants offering discounts to active and retired service members and veterans from May 24, 2025 until May 26, 2025 can be found online. To redeem the discount, customers must show a valid military ID. These offers apply to food only. Participating restaurants include:
- Amélie (West Village) - 20% discount
- David Burke Tavern - 25% discount
- The Dram Shop Bar - 20% discount
- Gaia - 25% discount
- The Independent - 25% discount
- The Long Room - 25% discount
- Lorenzo's Restaurant, Bar & Cabaret - 20% discount
- Mae Mae Cafe & Plant Shop - 20% discount
- Maggie's Place - 25% discount
- Neir's Tavern - 20% discount
- NoMad Diner - 20% discount
- Park Ave Kitchen by David Burke - 25% discount
- Pasta Lovers - 25% discount
- Pete's Tavern - 25% discount
- Rivercrest - 20% discount
- Stout NYC (all locations) - 25% discount
- Sungold - 20% discount
- The Wolfe - 25% discount
“It is my honor — and pleasure — to express my appreciation to those who have served our country so well by offering an exclusive 25 percent discount to all veterans and active duty military personnel over Memorial Day weekend at my two New York City restaurants; David Burke Tavern and Park Ave Kitchen by David Burke,” said David Burke, chef, restaurateur, and principal of David Burke Hospitality Management.
Cultural institutions, most of which are members of the city’s CIG, offer free or discounted admission or other programs for current and former service members and their families, include:
- American Museum of Natural History: Free admission for all members of the U.S. military and their families during the Blue Star program, who present a valid ID from Armed Forces Day to Labor Day.
- The Bronx County Historical Society: Free admission to Edgar Allan Poe Cottage and the Museum of Bronx History to current military or veterans and their family members.
- The Bronx Museum: Free admission to all visitors, including veterans, active-duty military members, and their families.
- Bronx Zoo: Active military and veterans with a valid ID will receive a complimentary admission ticket or limited admission ticket for themselves and 50 percent off tickets for up to three guests. Advance ticket reservation required; use the promotional code MILITARYBZ for active personnel and VETERANBZ for veterans during checkout. Military members must be present with valid ID on entry. In the absence of a military member, spouses or other family members are only eligible to redeem the 50 percent discount when an ‘Active Dependent Card’ is presented on entry. Use promotional code MILITARYBZDEP for active personnel and VETERANBZDEP for Veterans during checkout.
- Brooklyn Academy of Music: Rush tickets for live performances are available for veterans and active military with a valid ID. At BAM Rose Cinemas, discounted tickets are available for veterans and active military.
- Brooklyn Botanic Garden (BBG): Active military and veterans can receive free Community Tickets to BBG by inquiring at the garden’s admission booths.
- Brooklyn Children’s Museum: Free admission to veterans and active military with a valid ID through the Blue Star program.
- Brooklyn Museum: Free general admission to active-duty military personnel and their families with a valid ID presented on-site. The museum will also offer free art-making activities throughout Memorial Day weekend.
- Carnegie Hall: Veterans, active-duty members of the military, and EMT and paramedic first responders with a valid ID will receive 30 percent discounts on all Carnegie Hall presentations (excluding galas and Weill Music Institute events).
- Flushing Town Hall: Discounted tickets to events for active-duty personnel and veterans of the U.S. armed forces are available with a valid ID.
- Historic Richmond Town: Free admission for the three-day weekend for active and retired military and their entire party with a show of valid ID. These free tickets can only be received at the door.
- Lincoln Center: Active-duty personnel and veterans of the U.S. military with a valid ID will receive 25 percent discounts on single tickets (limit two) when purchasing in-person at the Alice Tully Hall Box Office.
- MoMA PS1: Tickets are free for all New York City and New York state residents.
- Museum of the City of New York: Free admission for U.S. Military including active-duty personnel and veterans, with a valid ID.
- The Metropolitan Museum of Art: Complimentary admission to individuals with a U.S. military ID as part of the Blue Star Museum program.
- The Museum of Jewish Heritage: Free admission for active members of the military and discounted admission for veterans with a valid ID.
- The Museum of the Moving Image: Complimentary tickets to U.S. active-duty military and veterans with a valid ID or service record.
- El Museo del Barrio: Pay-what-you-can admission for all visitors, and a discounted membership option for members of the military with a valid ID.
- New York Aquarium: Active military and veterans with a valid ID receive a complimentary admission ticket or limited admission ticket for themselves and 50 percent off tickets for up to three guests. Advance ticket reservation required; use promotional code MILITARYNYA for active personnel and VETERANNYA for veterans during checkout. Military member must be present with valid ID on entry. In the absence of a military member, spouses or other family members are only eligible to redeem the 50 percent discount when an ‘Active Dependent Card’ is presented on entry. Use promotional code MILITARYNYADEP for active personnel and VETERANNYADEP for Veterans during checkout.
- New York Botanical Garden: Complimentary All-Garden Pass access to active-duty military with a valid ID with up to five family members.
- New York Hall of Science: Free admission to the nation’s active-duty military personnel, including the National Guard and Reserves, and their families through the Blue Star program with a valid ID.
- Queens Botanical Garden: Active military members receive admission as part of Blue Star Museums with a valid ID.
- Queens Museum: Free admission to active-duty military personnel and veterans with a valid ID.
- Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden: Free admission to the Newhouse Center for Contemporary Art and the Chinese Scholar's Garden for active military, provided through the Blue Star program with a valid ID.
- Staten Island Museum: Free admission to active-duty personnel and retired veterans with ID, year-round.
- Staten Island Zoo: Military discounts to current active or reserve U.S. service members with a valid ID. The discount provides one free admission for the active service member, and up to three 50 percent discounts for additional guests.
- Staten Island Children’s Museum: Free admission to active and reserve military personnel and their families as part of the Blue Star Museums program with a valid ID.
New York City’s cultural institutions that are not members of the CIG also offer benefits to active duty military and veterans, such as the 9/11 Memorial & Museum, Guggenheim Museum, Intrepid Museum, Museum at Eldridge Street, The Museum of Modern Art, Noguchi Museum, Queens Historical Society, and Van Cortland House Museum, which offers free admission to veterans and active military service members with a valid ID. Additionally, the TDF Veteran Theatregoing Program partners exclusively with veteran organizations in the city to distribute a limited number of Broadway and theater tickets at no cost to their constituents. The National Endowment for the Arts’ Blue Star Museums program maintains a map of participating museums that offer free admission to U.S. military personnel and veterans across the U.S. The New York City Department of Cultural Affairs also maintains a list of museums and cultural institutions with free or suggested admission for New Yorkers year round.
Mayor Adams kicked off Veterans and Service Members’ Week by announcing a series of strategic initiatives focused on strengthening housing stability and enhancing employment opportunities for veterans and their families. On Tuesday, Mayor Adams unveiled designs for the “Flames of Honor” memorial, honoring post-9/11 service members who died in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The Adams administration has been focused on delivering for veterans and service members, including by fostering new opportunities for veterans as they build the next chapter in their careers. In an eight-month period, between November 2023 and June 2024, the administration contacted over 10,500 New York City veterans and connected them with referrals for various supportive services as part of “Mission: VetCheck,” a partnership between the Department of Veterans’ Services and New York Cares that enlists volunteers to make supportive check-in calls to veterans across the city, creating a crucial point of connection between veterans and their community to provide resources and information about public services, including mental health services, free meals, housing resources, and employment information.
