Dozens of city spots are offering active duty-troops and veterans deals for Memorial Day weekend in a Fleet Week surprise for service members, officials said Thursday.
Mayor Eric Adams said military members, veterans and their families can score discounts and specials at 34 venues across the city, including museums, gardens, zoos and restaurants from Saturday to Memorial Day.
“We’re ensuring veterans and service members can experience the full range of what New York City has to offer,” Adams said while kicking off Fleet Week New York with a breakfast reception at Gracie Mansion.
“It is because of these brave men and women that we can cherish the most precious gift we have: our freedom,” Adams said.
Military members and veterans must show an ID to get access to discounted admission at the Bronx Zoo, the American Museum of Natural History, Brooklyn Botanic Gardens and other cultural institutions. They can snag discounts up to 25% at restaurants such as Pete’s Tavern, Amélie and Park Ave Kitchen by David Burke.
The event was attended by key military leaders, Gold Star families, City Council members Gale Brewer and Bob Holden — but one chair was left empty to honor service members who have died in the line of duty, according to officials.
Adams also announced New York City will host a “first of its kind” parade July 6, 2026 to recognize the more than 2.9 million Americans who served in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.
“But this will be more than just a parade,” Adams said. “It will serve as a symbol of belonging, of closure and of collective pride. It will be a sign that our veterans and their families matter to us, not just during the war time they fight, but in the peace time they help achieve.”
John Phelan, sworn in as the 79th Secretary of the Navy in March, said sailors are facing dangerous conditions and hoped they would enjoy some “well earned liberty ashore” while in the Big Apple.
“Every day, our Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard deter aggression, defend our values and protect freedom of navigation wherever they sail,” Phelan said. “Today, as we face a more contested and hostile maritime environment than we’ve seen in decades, our sea services stand ready to respond.”
Phelan also noted that this year marks 250 years since the founding of the US Navy and Marine Corps.
“As we look to the next 250 years, one thing remains certain, America’s maritime strength and our future will be defined by those who serve.”
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