Military personnel, families, and veterans are experts at stretching their money to make the most of their budgets. Happily, many businesses like to thank active duty and veterans for their service to the country by offering discounts to their goods and services.

While you shouldn’t necessarily expect one at every business you frequent, you may be surprised at which businesses do indeed offer discounts, and it never hurts to ask. You typically must present some sort of proof of service – like your military ID, VA ID, or DD Form 214 – and be prepared to (patiently) talk to a manager if the employee is not aware of the discounts. It’s always a good idea to call ahead of time to make sure the discount is still valid, and learn exactly how to obtain it.

While there are numerous nation-wide eating, shopping, travel and automotive businesses featuring ongoing military discounts, Jacksonville offers numerous additional local discounts that can add up to big savings for members of the military and their families.

Jacksonville Zoo

The Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens offers a 10% discount on regular General Admission tickets only (excludes the already discounted Value Ticket) with an Active Military ID or valid AAA Membership card. Proof of eligibility must be presented at the time of purchase. Discounts are not available online and cannot be combined with other discounts or offers.

Adventure Landing

Adventure Landing, Jacksonville Beach, features go-karts, miniature golf, and laser tag as well as a roller coaster, arcade, batting cages, and more. Receive a 10% discount with military ID.

Bruster’s Real Ice Cream

Receive a 15% off discount with a military ID. Bruster’s large variety of premium flavors and artisan desserts are made in-store, including handmade waffle cones, customized sundaes, candy-filled blasts, milkshakes, and customized cakes and pies.

My Gym

My Gym offers programs and facilities designed to help children 6 weeks through 10 years of age develop physically, cognitively, and emotionally. Programs include structured, age-appropriate, weekly classes that incorporate music, dance, relays, games, special rides, gymnastics, sports and more. Get 50% off Lifetime Memberships for military families.

Jacksonville Museum of Science and History (MOSH)

Get $10 admission tickets for adults with military ID. In addition to its extensive collection of core exhibits, the museum also features traveling exhibitions and a planetarium. Check out the museum’s calendar for upcoming special events as well, like science and history boat tours and after-dark events.

Paintball Adventures

Get half-off pricing for active and retired military members and discounted group rates. The park offers recreational paintball play every Saturday and Sunday and features five wooded fields, two sniper trails, multiple forts, a multi building complex, and numerous other fields. Choose from various types of paintball gun rentals (they have enough for 400 players) or bring your own and purchase the paint there. Reservations are available for “off” days.

Camp Bow Wow

At Camp Bow Wow Jacksonville's Overnight Camp, a p​premier dog boarding service, dogs enjoy all-day play and sleep each night in individual cozy cabins on cots with fleece padding. You can even monitor your pet’s stay with a 24-hour webcam. Discounted pricing on full night stay for military members with valid ID.

Bounce Around Jax

This party rental company offers everything you need for your next party, from inflatables (bouncy houses, obstacle courses, and water slides) and trackless train rides, to costumes and outdoor movie screens. They sell refreshment supplies and provide face painting services. Active or retired military receive 10% off with their “Heroes Discount.”

Alhambra Theatre and Dining

Recently celebrating its 50th anniversary, the Alhambra Theatre is the nation’s longest continuously running professional dinner theater. With ongoing menu updates and renovations since 2009, the Alhambra offers a unique experience in dining and entertainment. Military personnel and visitors over age 60 receive $2.50 off ticket price.

Universal Orlando Resort

Universal Orlando offers specially priced tickets to Leisure Travel offices at military bases for re-sale to active duty, retired military, and DOD personnel (ticket pricing determined by the local Leisure Travel offices). Active duty military with valid military IDs can receive a discount when purchasing multi-day tickets at the front gate tickets windows at the resort. The resort includes three theme parks – Universal Studios Florida, Universal’s Islands of Adventure, and Universal’s Volcano Bay water theme park (opening 2017) – along with on-site hotels.

Amtrak Train & Bus

Active duty members receive 10% off tickets and veterans receive a 20% veteran discount with a Veterans Advantage Card. The station is located at 3570 Clifford Lane and serves the Silver Meteor and the Silver Star train routes that travel from New York City to Miami, as well as the Thruway Motorcoach bus line.

The Home Depot and Lowe’s

Home improvements can get expensive fast. Take advantage of these two large stores’ 10% off, year-round discounts for active duty, active reserve, retired military, and immediate family. This discount is available in store only with a valid military ID.

Apple Computers

You can access the military discount and veteran discount under the government purchase program, so you will need to sign up online and purchase items online. Check with your nearest Jacksonville location to see if you can pick up your purchase in-store.

AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, and T-Mobile

AT&T, Verizon, and Sprint offer active duty and veterans (and some reservists) their government employee pricing on phone service with a valid military ID or VA ID card. T-Mobile offers 15% Military Discount for active duty and veterans. Veterans should also bring a copy of their DD214.

Walgreens

A drug store plus, you can find everything from small house goods to snacks and candy to toys and office supplies here. Participating stores provide a 15% discount every Tuesday with a valid military ID or VA ID. Additionally, on Memorial Day, you can save 15% to 20% on select purchases.

Target Portrait Studios

Several of the Target stores in Jacksonville have in-store portrait studios. Active duty, with military ID, can receive 50% of portrait collection, free traditional 8x10 print, free sitting fees, and $3.99 portrait sheets. You will have to check if they will also offer this to veterans.

For more ideas and listings on how to find and ask for military discounts, check out our blog with additional tips for military discounts.

Written by Megan Hammons