Veterans Day in Columbus: Where military personnel can get discounts and freebies
Veterans and active duty military will have their choice of offers on Veterans Day, Nov. 11.
Grab a free breakfast, lunch, dinner or dessert at one of many local restaurants.
Then head to the National Veterans Memorial and Museum in Columbus, the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens in Akron or the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad for free admission.
Those who would like to work some necessary chores into the day can also get a 50% discount on oil changes at Ricart Automotive, or get a free haircut at Great Clips.
Be sure to bring proof of service, and check with the locations you plan on visiting to make sure that they are participating.
Veterans Day events: How Greater Columbus is honoring those who have served for Veterans Day
Offers are good on Nov. 11, unless otherwise stated.
• 94th Aero Squadron Restaurant: A free meal will be offered to all veterans from 4 to 9 p.m. (www.the94thaero.com)
• Bob Evans: A free meal for veterans and active duty military personnel will be offered. Breakfast options include a country biscuit breakfast, buttermilk pancakes, brioche French toast or a mini sampler, while lunch and dinner meals include a soup and salad combo, a country-fried steak dinner bell plate or a mushroom and onion chopped steak dinner bell plate. (www.bobevans.com)
• Chili's: Veterans and active duty military dining at Chili's can choose a free meal from options such as chicken crispers, Margherita grilled chicken, soup and salad, chicken bacon-ranch quesadillas, just bacon burger, oldtimer with cheese or Cajun chicken pasta. (www.chilis.com)
• Columbus Zoo and Aquarium: The Columbus Zoo will offer free admission to veterans and active duty military as well as their immediate families. Parking costs $10. (columbuszoo.org)
• Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad: Veterans, active military and family members (up to four people total per group) can take a free two-hour train ride through the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. (www.cvsr.org)
Veterans Day in Hilliard: Veterans Day parade will return to Hilliard streets Nov. 14
• Denny's: A free “Build Your Own Grand Slam” at Denny's will be available from opening to noon for veterans and active military dining in at the restaurants (www.dennys.com)
• Georgian Museum: The museum in Lancaster will offer free admission and tours to veterans, active duty military and their families. Tours will take place at 1, 2 and 3 p.m. (www.thegeorgianmuseum.org)
• Golden Corral: The buffet restaurant will offer a free dinner for veterans and active military from 5 p.m. to close. (www.goldencorral.com)
• Graeter's Ice Cream: Free sundaes will be on the menu for veterans. See location for specific details. (www.graeters.com)
• Great Clips: Receive a free haircut if you are a veteran or active military. (www.greatclips.com)
• IHOP: Free red, white and blue pancakes will be available to veterans and active duty military dining in from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. (www.ihop.com)
• Max and Erma's: Veterans and active duty military can enjoy for free the “best cheeseburger in America,” as well as endless fries, a fountain drink and a cookie. (www.maxandermas.com)
• McCormick & Schmick's: Half-price entrees are on the table for veterans, Gold Star Parents and Gold Star Spouses on Nov. 7. (mccormicksandschmicks.com)
• National Veterans Memorial and Museum: Everyone, veteran or not, will receive free admission during the hours the museum is open, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., on Veterans Day. (nationalvmm.org)
• Olive Garden: Veterans and active duty military can choose from five free entrees, along with unlimited soup or salad and breadsticks. (www.olivegarden.com)
• Pro Football Hall of Fame: On Nov. 6, veterans, members of the National Guard and active military, plus one guest for each, will receive free admission to the Hall of Fame in Canton. (www.profootballhof.com)
• Red Lobster: Veterans, active military and reservists will receive a free appetizer or dessert. (www.redlobster.com)
• Ricart Automotive and Farrow Harley-Davidson: From 2 to 6 p.m., all oil changes will be 50% off for veterans and military personnel. (www.ricart.com)
• Sherman House Museum: Veterans, active duty military and their families can tour the museum in Lancaster for free. Tours will be given at 12, 1, 2 and 3 p.m. (www.shermanhouse.org)
• Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens: Veterans and active duty military can tour the estate in Akron for free. (stanhywet.org)
• Starbucks: Get a free, hot tall (12-ounce) brewed coffee if you are a veteran, active military or a military spouse. (www.starbucks.com)
• True Rest Float Spa: An hour of free float therapy for veterans and active duty military is offered on the 11th of every month, including Veterans Day. (truerest.com)
• Wendy's: A free breakfast combo will be available for veterans and active duty military from 6:30 to 10:30 a.m., or whatever breakfast hours are at a location. (www.wendys.com)
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Veterans Day 2021: Freebies free meals around Greater Columbus, Ohio
