The city of Los Angeles honors our nation's military members all year round. A variety of LA area attractions salute service men and women with discounts. In addition, there are a number of military-themed museums that delve into the history of several wars.
Members of the military can find additional information on discounts and great rates at the Los Angeles Air Force Base, Force Support Squadron, which has special military discounts to many theme parks, movie theaters, shows, entertainment venues and hotels. Ticket prices may vary depending on event date. Typically, expect to save between $2 and $20 per person. Base ID is required whether you get your tickets from the base or go directly to the venue or attraction. 310-653-1304.
Free Veterans Day Events & Programs
In recognition of Veterans Day, Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and City Councilman Joe Buscaino, in association with the Port of Los Angeles and Battleship IOWA, will host the first-ever Veterans Appreciation Festival on Saturday, November 10, 2012. Free to the public, the event will be held from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. in front of the new Battleship IOWA at the Port of Los Angeles. Built in 1940 and opened to the public in July 2012, Battleship IOWA was designated the "world's greatest naval ship" due to her big guns, heavy armor, fast speed, longevity and modernization. Veterans and their families will be allowed to tour Battleship IOWA at no charge. The festival will feature free food, resource booths for veterans, presentation of the colors by California State Military Reserve Color Guard, live music, as well as a children’s play zone and patriotic Harley Davidson riders. Battleship IOWA at the Port of Los Angeles is located at 250 South Harbor Boulevard in San Pedro. Parking is available on site for $1 per hour. Free parking and shuttle service is available at 22nd Street and Sampson Way in San Pedro.
On Veterans Day, McCormick & Schmick's Seafood Restaurants will honor U.S. military veterans at participating restaurants across the country with a tradition that began in 1999. In recognition of their service, veterans will be treated to a complimentary lunch or dinner entrée from a special McCormick & Schmick's menu. The special menu will be available to veterans who have been honorably discharged from the Army, Air Force, Marines, Navy or Coast Guard. Verification of service is required. Reservations are highly recommended for Veterans Day, as tables fill up quickly. Guests can locate a participating restaurant and make their reservations online at www.McCormickandSchmicks.com.
On Veterans Day, all active duty and military veterans can stop by a participating Hooters and get 10 free boneless wings. Drink purchase required, dine in only. Offer valid at participating Hooters only and is open to all with valid military ID or proof of military service. For more information, visit www.HootersVeteransDay.com.
Military Discounts
March up to Madame Tussauds Hollywood with a valid I.D. and get the “Walk-up Military Discount” ticket price of just $20 (normally $25.95). Located next to the Grauman’s Chinese Theatre in the heart of Hollywood, the wax museum features special effects and audio recordings that help bring scenes with figures to life in 18 themed zones.
Starline Tours offers a 10 percent discount with military I.D. on any of its tours. Explore the Greater Los Angeles area aboard the Starline Hop-on Hop-off Double Decker Fun Tour, wheeling around since 1935. Visit the Santa Monica Pier, The Grove, theme parks, museums, theaters and much more. Don't miss the infamous TMZ Tour, which takes you to the hottest spots in Hollywood, Beverly Hills and the Sunset Strip where celebrities go to play. Get the inside scoop on Hollywood celebs and the stories that TMZ made famous from tour guides directly from TMZ on TV, on the lookout and ready to film celebrities.
Guests have a reel good time when they take the world famous Warner Bros. Studios VIP Tour in Burbank. Get $5 off regular admission for this two-hour tour that visits sets and wardrobe, make-up, set-building and props departments. Ride comfortably in a large golf cart as you journey through the studio’s historic back lot soundstages. You can also walk around the New York, Chinatown and European “neighborhoods.” A tour highlight is the Warner Bros. museum, accessible to the public only during tours. The museum houses costumes and artifacts dating back to the 1920s, including Harry Potter costumes and memorabilia, as well as celebrity automobiles.
Theme Parks
Find Optimus Prime-sized military discounts all year long at Universal Studios Hollywood. Eligible members of the Armed Forces include retirees, DOD personnel, members of the National Guard/Reserves, dependents and all other base personnel. Tickets must be purchased in advance and can only be obtained at participating MWR/ITT offices. These special military rates are not available at the Universal Studios Hollywood box office. A military or U.S. Government I.D. is required. For more information, please visit www.universalstudioshollywood.com/military.
Contact the Los Angeles Air Force Base, Force Support Squadron for substantially discounted tickets to Six Flags Magic Mountain and find out why the park holds the crown of "Roller Coaster Capital of the World."
Step in time to parades, rides and attractions at the Disneyland Resort, which makes sure that military personnel can make the most of the Happiest Place on Earth. Active and retired U.S. military personnel can purchase 3-Day Disneyland Resort Park Hopper tickets for just $125 each. These tickets may be used October 1, 2012 through September 28, 2013. (Blackout dates apply.) Tickets can be purchased at participating U.S. military outlets by any eligible military personnel or their spouse. No more than six tickets can be purchased by any Eligible Service Member or spouse. Eligible military personnel are active or retired members of the U.S. military, including the National Guard, Reservists and the U.S. Coast Guard. Valid military identification will be required for purchase. For more information about Disney Military Promotional Tickets, please visit disneyland.disney.go.com/special-offers/military-tickets.
Transportation
Beginning operations in 1992, Metrolink has since grown to seven lines, 55 stations and more than 44,000 daily boardings. Metrolink offers active military a 10% discount off One-Way and Round-Trip tickets. Please present a valid Common Access Card (CAC) with “Active Duty” printed on the front to the fare inspector upon request.
All aboard Amtrak for a 10% active-duty US military personnel discount. This applies to spouses and dependents as well. The discount is valid on the lowest available rail fare on most Amtrak trains, including for travel on the Auto Train. You must present a valid, active-duty military United States Armed Forces identification card. Certain restrictions apply, so be sure to visit www.amtrak.com/military-discounts.
Lodging
Make the L.A. Hotel Downtown your home base for your Los Angeles stay. Show your military I.D. on check-in to get the per diem rate of $125 per night. Located in the heart of LA's financial district, you’re near the STAPLES Center, Club Nokia and walking distance to fabulous restaurants and shops.
Fort MacArthur Inn is the lodging operation for the Los Angeles Air Force Base. The inn welcomes all active military members visiting LA. The inn has 72 non-smoking rooms. Rates start at $39 per night. For reservations, call 310-653-8296.
Military Themed Museums & Monuments
The Wende Museum’s extensive collection of Cold War-era artworks and artifacts explores the history of East Germany and the Soviet Union from 1945 – 1991. At 3 p.m. on Fridays, there’s a one-hour tour of the vault where visitors will see additional collections and learn more about the operation of the museum. Free admission.
The Fort MacArthur Museum houses displays and exhibits depicting the role of Los Angeles as a military port for the Army and Navy. Open noon – 5 p.m. Tues., Thurs. and weekends. Free admission but donations are suggested.
Docked at Berth 94 in San Pedro, the S.S. Lane Victory serves as a living museum and memorial to the service and services of all Merchant Marine sailors and Navy Armed Guardsmen. Built in 1945, the vessel served during World War II, The Korean War, and the Vietnam War. $5 adults, $2 children.
The Go for Broke National Monument in Little Tokyo honors the Japanese American soldiers who fought in Europe and the Pacific during WWII.