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18 Zoos with Military Discounts Across the US

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Military Discounts on Zoos Across the United States

Going to the zoo can be such a fun thing to do as a family. Did you know that many zoos across the country have military discounts? Some offer free tickets, and others just a few dollars off. Here is a list of 18 zoos and the military discounts they offer.

The Montgomery Zoo

The Montgomery Zoo started as a local park in the 1920s. They have a giraffe encounter, a parakeet cover, a petting zoo, and more. At the Montgomery Zoo, you can find a military discount of $1.00. You must buy your tickets at the zoo to receive this discount. The regular price for adults is $17 and $13 for kids. They also have a Veteran Appreciation Week from November 6 to November 12th, 2022. During this week they offer free admission for all military personnel and veterans, as well as their family members, to both Montgomery Zoo and Mann Wildlife Learning Museum.

The San Diego Zoo

The San Diego Zoo has the largest collection of exotic and endangered mammals, birds, and reptiles in the world. The zoo was founded in 1916, in San Diego’s Balboa Park. They offer a complimentary 1-day pass to the San Diego Zoo and the San Diego Zoo Safari Park when showing a valid military ID. Military spouses and dependents can receive 10% off on the 1-day pass. The discount is not available for veterans and retirees.

The Cheyenne Mountain Zoo (Colorado Springs, CO)

You can discover more than 30 species of endangered animals, feed giraffes, and ride the mountain sky ride at the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo. The zoo was founded in 1926 after Spence Penrose started moving animals from his ranch and the Broadmoor Hotel to the present site of the zoo. Active duty, veterans, and retired military personnel can receive a military discount of $3.00 off the normal rates. You would need to show your military ID, DD214, or other ID proving your military status. You can also receive $25 off of the zoo membership. In addition, they have a Military Appreciation Week with 50% off tickets.

The Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens

The Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens opened in 1914 with a red deer fawn. While at the zoo you can visit the Play Park and Splash Ground, the Plains of East Africa, The Land of the Tiger, and more. They offer a 10% military discount on regular admission tickets only for those with active military IDs. This discount is not available online and can’t be combined with any other offers or discounts.

The Atlanta Zoo

The Atlanta Zoo opened in 1889 after a businessman purchased a collection of animals from a stalled traveling show and relocated them to Grant Park. At the zoo, you can check out amphibians, birds, mammals, reptiles, and more. They offer free admission to the zoo to all active-duty, reserves, veterans, and retired members of the US military with a valid military ID. This discount is for the military member only.

The Louisville Zoo

The Louisville Zoo was opened in 1969. While at the zoo, you can explore animals from Africa, Australia, South America, and more. They offer active duty military free general admission. Dependents and retired military can receive 10% off. You must present a military ID. They also usually offer free admission for active, retired, and their families on Veterans’ Day.

The Audubon Zoo (New Orleans, LA)

The Audubon Commission was established by a state act in 1914 to maintain and develop Audubon Park. You will want to check out the lion exhibit, the Watoto Farm, the Jaguar Jungle, and more while at the zoo.

Members of the military receive free admission from Nov 10th-Nov 12th, but the offer is not valid for accompanying guests.  The discount is good at the Audubon Zoo, the Audubon Aquarium, and the Insectarium.

Zoo New England

Zoo New England manages both the Franklin Park Zoo which was founded in 1912 and the Stone Zoo which was founded in 1905. You can visit the petting zoo at the Franklin Park Zoo, and check out the alligator feeding at Stone Zoo. They offer $30 off of a zoo membership for active military. Active duty personnel and their immediate family members can revive a 50% discount on general, daytime admission. You show your ID at the gate, no online tickets.

The Bronx Zoo

The New York Zoological Society (WCS) opened in 1895, and the Bronx Zoo opened in 1899. The Bronx Zoo is one of the largest zoos in the United States and was one of the first US zoos to move away from cages and exhibit animals in their natural habitats. They offer a military discount six days a week, excluding Wednesdays. Active duty can get a free Total Experience or General Admission ticket and 50% off for up to three family members during the same admission transaction. Military veterans can receive 20% off of a Total Experience or General Admission ticket.

The Columbus Zoo

The Columbus Zoo opened in 1927 with a small collection of animals. While there, you can check out the different sections of the zoo based on locations of the world. They offer a $2.00 military discount to active and non-active duty military on up to six tickets with a military ID.

The Oklahoma City Zoo

The Oklahoma City Zoo began in 1902 when a single deer was donated to a neighborhood park. While at the zoo you can check out the Elephant Express tram, feed giraffes, watch the sea lions, and more. They offer a 50% military discount on general admission to all veterans, active duty, active reserves, and retirees with a valid military ID, and up to four guests.

The Roger Williams Zoo and Carousel Village

The Roger Williams Zoo is the country’s third oldest zoo and opened its doors to the public in 1872 with a collection of small animal exhibits. While visiting, check out the Komodo dragon, red pandas, snow leopards, and more. All active duty and retired military veterans can receive 50% off of regular daytime admission. This discount can also be applied to your spouse and children, up to four people in your party. Spouses of deployed service members also qualify for this discount.

The Knoxville Zoo

The Knoxville Zoo has been around since 1923 with a newspaper initiative to start a park for poor children. While there you can enjoy an animal encounter, check out the butterflies, stay for a night safari, and more. They offer $5.00 off an annual zoo membership for members of the military.

The Nashville Zoo

The Nashville Zoo opened in 1991 and grew from a small private operation. You can check out the meerkats, the new bear exhibit, see the tigers, and more at the Nashville Zoo. They offer a 47-50% admission discount for military personnel and everyone in their party. They also offer free admission for the military and their families one day over Veterans’ Day weekend.

The Dallas Zoo

The Dallas Zoo started in 1888 with two deer and two mountain lions in City Park. You can visit the Gorilla Trail, a children’s zoo, the Endangered Tiger Habitat, and more at this zoo. They offer $2.00 off general admission for up to two adults and two children with valid military ID. This discount is not valid with their special $8 tickets in January and February.

The Houston Zoo

The Houston Zoo opened in 1922, and you can check out the African forest, and bug house, experience the Wild Nature Play Area, and more while visiting. They offer a 50% military discount. Members of the military, their families, and veterans can receive this discount.

The San Antonio Zoo

The San Antonio Zoo began in 1914 when a leading citizen placed bison, deer, monkeys, African lions, and bears on land he had deeded to the city. You can check out the Bear Corner, the Cat Grotto, and more when you are visiting the zoo. In November, they honor active duty, retired, and veteran members of the military, national guard, and reserves with free admission. You can also get 50% off tickets for your dependents. You would have to show your military ID at the front gate for the month of November only.

The Milwaukee County Zoo

The Milwaukee County Zoo was opened in 1892 as a miniature mammal and bird display in Milwaukee’s Washington Park. You can visit the aquatic and reptile center, the penguins, and the primates of the world as well as many other exhibits. At this zoo, they have a Military and Veteran’s Family Day in June. Service members and veterans living in Wisconsin, as well as their families, will receive free admission and free parking.

 

If you go to a zoo, not on this list, make sure to ask to see if they also have a military discount that you can use on your next visit.

 

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About the author

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Julie Provost is a freelance writer, and blogger. She lives in Tennessee with her National Guard husband and three boys.