US Veterans Labor Day 2026: Free Admission & Discounts Guide
For Labor Day 2026 (Monday, September 7), U.S. veterans can access numerous free admission and discount offers through the national Blue Star Museums program, with many museums providing free entry through the holiday weekend. Veterans can also find travel, lodging, and retail discounts at major chains including Best Western, Hilton, and Greyhound . The most comprehensive program is Blue Star Museums, which runs from Armed Forces Day (May 16) through Labor Day (September 7), 2026, with over 2,000 participating museums nationwide .
Quick Facts
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Program | Blue Star Museums (free admission) |
| 2026 Dates | May 16 – September 7, 2026 |
| Official Agency | National Endowment for the Arts, Blue Star Families, Department of Defense |
| Eligibility | Active-duty, National Guard, Reserve, Public Health Corps, NOAA Corps |
| Family Members | Up to 5 included |
| Veteran Eligibility | Most Blue Star Museums are active-duty only; veterans should call ahead |
| Required ID | CAC, DD Form 1173, DD Form 1173-1, or Next Generation ID |
| Website | arts.gov/BlueStarMuseums |
Blue Star Museums: Free Admission Through Labor Day
The Blue Star Museums program offers free admission to active-duty military personnel and their families at over 2,000 museums nationwide from Armed Forces Day through Labor Day . The 2026 program runs from May 16 through September 7, 2026 .
Eligible participants include active-duty members of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Space Force, Coast Guard, Reservists, National Guard members, U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, and NOAA Commissioned Corps . The program includes up to five family members per military ID holder .
For veterans, the situation is different. Most Blue Star Museums offer free admission to active-duty service members only . However, some museums extend the benefit to veterans. Fort Concho in Texas explicitly includes veterans , and the National Eagle Center in Minnesota offers complimentary admission to veterans through a grant from the Minnesota Veterans 4 Veterans Trust Fund . New Mexico offers a separate program for veterans with a 50% or higher service-connected disability rating .
What you need to bring: Qualified members must show a Geneva Convention common access card (CAC), DD Form 1173 ID card (dependent ID), DD Form 1173-1 ID card, or the Next Generation Uniformed Services (Real) ID card .
Find participating museums: Visit arts.gov/BlueStarMuseums for a searchable map and list of participating museums, which are located in all 50 states, District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands .
Participating Museums by Region
Blue Star Museums include history museums, art museums, children’s museums, science centers, zoos, aquariums, botanical gardens, and historic sites .
Northeast
| State | Participating Museums |
|---|---|
| Pennsylvania | State Museum of Pennsylvania (Harrisburg), Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania (Strasburg), Landis Valley Village & Farm Museum (Lancaster), Philadelphia Museum of Art, Barnes Foundation, Museum of the American Revolution, National Constitution Center |
| Maryland | Carroll County Farm Museum (Westminster), Baltimore Museum of Art, Maryland Center for History and Culture, Concord Point Lighthouse Museum, Steppingstone Farm Museum |
| Delaware | Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library |
South
| State | Participating Museums |
|---|---|
| Texas | Fort Concho (San Angelo) — includes veterans |
| Florida | Museum of Discovery & Science (Fort Lauderdale) |
Midwest
| State | Participating Museums |
|---|---|
| Wisconsin | Wisconsin Maritime Museum (Manitowoc) — active-duty free year-round, families free through Labor Day |
| Minnesota | National Eagle Center (Wabsha) — offers veteran admission through grant |
West
| State | Participating Museums |
|---|---|
| New Mexico | Eight state museums and eight historic sites, including Museum of International Folk Art, Museum of Indian Arts and Culture, New Mexico Museum of Art, New Mexico History Museum, National Hispanic Cultural Center, New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science, New Mexico Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum, New Mexico Museum of Space History |
| Hawaii | Lyman Museum (Hilo) |
| Oklahoma | Oklahoma Contemporary Arts Center (Oklahoma City) — free admission year-round, plus free art classes for veterans |
Veterans May Qualify for Extra Benefits
Check available financial assistance, healthcare programs and other opportunities that may apply to you.
Check EligibilityNote: This is not a complete list. Visit arts.gov/BlueStarMuseums for all participating locations.
Theme Park and Attraction Discounts for Labor Day 2026
Several major theme parks and attractions offer free or discounted admission for veterans and military personnel over the Labor Day weekend.
| Attraction | Offer | Eligibility | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Busch Gardens | Free one-day admission + up to 3 guests | Veterans | Register by May 10; visit by June 30 |
| Silverwood Theme Park | Free admission on Memorial Day weekend | Military & veterans | Immediate family receives discounted rate |
| Colonial Williamsburg | Complimentary admission once annually | Active-duty, Reserve, Guard, retired, veterans | Available Memorial Day or Veterans Day weekend; includes up to 3 dependents |
| Wild Adventures | Free admission on Memorial Day | Current & former military | Must show military ID |
Note: Most Memorial Day offers also apply to Labor Day weekend. Verify with each attraction before visiting.
Travel and Lodging Discounts for Veterans
Major hotel chains offer year-round discounts to U.S. military personnel and veterans:
| Provider | Discount | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Best Western | Government per diem rates | Available to military personnel on official or leisure travel |
| Hilton Hotels & Resorts | Discounted rates | Valid ID required upon check-in |
| Hampton Inn & Suites | Exclusive rates | Participating locations only |
| Embassy Suites | Special rates | Valid ID or proof of service required |
| Choice Hotels | Discounted rates | Availability varies by location |
| La Quinta Inns & Suites | Government rates | Select “government rate” when booking online |
| Extended Stay America | Government rates | Based on availability |
| Howard Johnson | Per diem rates | Participating locations |
Other travel discounts include:
Greyhound: 10% discount for active and retired military
JetBlue: Special military fare class (MIL) for active duty, plus 5% discount through Veterans Advantage
Armed Forces Vacation Club: Free membership for active and retired military
Camping and Recreation Discounts
| Provider | Discount | Details |
|---|---|---|
| KOA Campgrounds | Up to 20% off | Active and retired military |
| Jellystone Parks | 10% military discount | Active and retired |
New Mexico Veteran Program
New Mexico offers a separate program for veterans with service-connected disabilities. Veterans with a 50% or higher VA disability rating can receive free one-time admission passes to New Mexico state museums and historic sites through the New Mexico Department of Veterans’ Services . Contact nmdvs.org/state-veteran-benefits for details.
Oklahoma Contemporary Veterans Initiative
Oklahoma Contemporary Arts Center offers free admission year-round and free art classes through its Veterans and Active-Duty Military Initiative . The arts center participates in the Blue Star Museums program while also providing dedicated programming for veterans. For a complete class schedule, visit okcontemp.org/veterans .
Common Questions
Does Blue Star Museums include veterans?
Most Blue Star Museums offer free admission to active-duty service members only. However, some museums explicitly include veterans, such as Fort Concho in Texas and the National Eagle Center in Minnesota . Veterans should call ahead to confirm before visiting .
What ID do I need for Blue Star Museums?
You need a Geneva Convention common access card (CAC), DD Form 1173 ID card, DD Form 1173-1 ID card, or the Next Generation Uniformed Services ID card .
How many family members can join for free?
Active-duty military members can bring up to five family members at no cost .
Do family members need the service member present?
No. Family members with a valid dependent ID can participate even if the active-duty service member is not present .
Is Labor Day 2026 included in Blue Star Museums?
Yes. The 2026 program ends on Labor Day, Monday, September 7, 2026 .
What types of museums participate?
Blue Star Museums include art museums, history museums, science centers, children’s museums, zoos, aquariums, botanical gardens, and historic sites in all 50 states and U.S. territories .
How do I find participating museums?
Visit arts.gov/BlueStarMuseums for a searchable map and list of participating museums .
Are National Guard and Reserve members eligible?
Yes. National Guard and Reserve members are included in the Blue Star Museums program .
What discounts are available for Labor Day weekend travel?
Major hotel chains including Best Western, Hilton, Hampton Inn, Embassy Suites, Choice Hotels, and La Quinta offer military rates . Greyhound offers a 10% discount for active and retired military .
Can I combine free admission with other discounts?
Discount policies vary by venue. Most museums do not allow combining offers. Call ahead to confirm.
Key Takeaways
Blue Star Museums offers free admission to active-duty military and families through Labor Day 2026 (September 7) .
Veterans should call ahead — most museums are active-duty only, but some (like Fort Concho) include veterans .
New Mexico offers free passes for veterans with a 50%+ VA disability rating .
Oklahoma Contemporary provides free art classes for veterans through its Veterans Initiative .
Hotel discounts are available at Best Western, Hilton, Hampton Inn, Embassy Suites, Choice Hotels, and La Quinta .
Theme park discounts include Busch Gardens, Silverwood, Colonial Williamsburg, and Wild Adventures .
Transportation discounts include Greyhound (10%) and JetBlue (military fare class) .
KOA and Jellystone Parks offer camping discounts up to 20% .
Find participating museums at arts.gov/BlueStarMuseums .
Eligible ID types include CAC, DD Form 1173, and Next Generation ID cards .
Official Resources
Blue Star Museums — Official NEA program information
VA.gov — Veterans benefits and services
New Mexico Department of Veterans’ Services — State veteran passes
Oklahoma Contemporary Veterans Initiative — Free art classes for veterans
USA.gov — General government benefits information
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