As Texas’ most populated city, Houston offers a wide range of activities and attractions, ranging from fine arts, to historic, to professional-grade athletic competition. Many of these venues provide helpful discounts to active duty and veterans, making fun excursions more accessible than ever to thousands of Houston veterans and their families.

As with most veteran discounts, it’s advisable to call ahead to confirm the discount and bring your military or VA ID as proof of your service. Below are some of the top discounts available to veterans living in or visiting the Houston area.

Houston Zoo

All members of the U.S. military, their families, and veterans 50% off regular admission tickets with valid military ID. Guests with a U.S. military ID can purchase up to two adult and three children’s tickets per day.

Houston Astros Major League Baseball

The Astros offer discounted tickets to active duty service members and veterans for most Monday through Thursday games as well as designated weekend games. Up to five discounted tickets can be purchased per service member with a valid military I.D. Additional tickets can be purchased for the current face value of tickets in the same seating area. All tickets purchased with the military discount must be “Will Call Pickup” only and will be available for pick up on the date of the game, beginning four hours prior to the first pitch.

Houston Texans Football

At each Texans home game, service members and vets are recognized for their contribution to our country in the Salute to Heroes feature. Each honoree receives a commemorative gift from the Texas and recognition in front of Texans fans. You can use an online form to nominate an individual to be honored, although due to the high number of nominees, not every individual can be recognized at a game.

The Texans All Community Team (TACT) ticketing program allows players to purchase season tickets for local nonprofits, providing each group with the opportunity to attend every home game, get behind-the-scenes and on-field experiences, and meet players. Several players sponsor season ticket packages through the program that honor groups consisting of military families and veterans, including the USO and Lone Star Veterans Association.

Sporting and Live Events

The organization Lone Star Veterans Association (LSVA) runs a special program called Spike’s Squad that connects LSVA members with many of its sponsors and donors who often provide discounted or free tickets to sporting events, concerts, clay shoots, yacht rides, and more. LSVA membership gives you access to many of these events but following the organization via its social media accounts and signing up for the “short notice” tickets email are the best ways to increase your chances of going.

The Houston Museum of Natural Science

Active duty and veterans can present their ID to purchase a discounted ticket to the permanent exhibits for just $8 (regularly a $25 ticket). Tickets to the planetarium are just $6 (regularly $9), with the same discount available for the Butterfly Center. Tickets to the Giant Screen Theater are just $8 (regularly $12). All venues are handicap accessible and wheelchairs available on request, subject to availability, at the Museum Services Desk.

Space Center Houston

Space Center Houston is owned and operated by the nonprofit Manned Space Flight Education Foundation and features extensive education programs, a museum of space artifacts and exhibits, space attractions, and behind-the-scenes tram tours of the NASA Johnson Space Center. A special discount of $5 off regular admission prices is available to military members with I.D.

Downtown Aquarium

Downtown Aquarium is the product of redeveloping two downtown Houston landmarks – Fire Station No. 1 and the Central Waterworks Building. This six-acre entertainment and dining complex is a 500,000-gallon aquatic wonderland, home to over 200 species of aquatic life from around the globe. The complex features a full-service restaurant and bar, aquatic and geographic exhibits, shopping, and a variety of amusements. Military and veteran $2 discounts are available on All-Day Adventure Passes (unlimited rides and access to exhibits and Sting Ray reef), with valid active military ID or VA ID Card. Valid up to four passes. You can also receive a 10% discount on retail and at the Aquarium Restaurant. Must show valid military ID or VA ID Card when purchasing. Please visit the ticket booth for more details. Active duty and veterans receive $2 off admission.

Written by Megan Hammons