By Maryann Hammers
GEORGIA
Adjacent to Atlanta’s Centennial Olympic Park, the College Football Hall of Fame is considered one of the nation's premier sports shrines, with historic artifacts and interactive multimedia exhibits. Active duty and retired servicemembers get free admission year-round. Military family members with a dependent card receive 20% off at box office. Call (404) 880-4800.
The pet-friendly Hilton Atlanta is near the College Football Hall of Fame and Centennial Olympic Park and is just 12 minutes from the airport. The hotel offers basketball and tennis courts and an outdoor jogging track. With the hotel’s H.E.R.O. rate, active duty and retired military members on leisure stays can book a room for $89 on weekends and $119 weekdays through Sept. 2, 2020. Call (404) 659-2000.
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NEW YORK
The National Baseball Hall of Fame & Museum in Cooperstown preserves the history of baseball with exhibits, events, photos, and a growing collection of artifacts and memorabilia, such as bats, balls, gloves, and uniforms. Admission is free for active duty and retired military. Call (607) 547-7200.
PENNSYLVANIA
KPMG Women’s PGA Championship, to be held outside Philadelphia at Aronimink Golf Club June 23-28, 2020, offers complimentary daily grounds tickets to military members (active duty, retirees, active reserve, National Guard, veterans) and one guest. Pick up your free tickets at the admissions and will call office at the main spectator entrance. Military ID is required. Call (610) 910-9548.
TEXAS
TPC San Antonio, a PGA Tour-certified 36-hole golf course located on the grounds of the JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa, offers a reduced military rate of $75 plus tax. This military-only rate is available to any active duty or retired military member — you do not have to be a guest at the resort. Military members must book their tee time 24 hours in advance. Reserve your tee time at this link, and the rate will be adjusted to the military rate when you check in and show a valid military ID card — a Common Access Card (CAC) for active duty and reserve members or a military retiree card. You also can call (210) 491-5800 and ask for the military rate.
Enjoy additional savings when you stay at the 1,002-room JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa. Military Appreciation Rates for active duty and retired military members start at $139, and you can book up to two rooms a night at that rate. (Standard non-military rates start at $195.) Taxes, gratuities, and a $40 resort fee are additional. Show a valid military ID at check-in to receive the discounted rate. Find more details here. Book your stay at this link using special code MOF, or call (210) 276-2500 and ask for the Military Appreciation Rate.
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VIRGINIA
Martinsville Speedway in Virginia (one hour north of Greensboro, N.C., and one hour south of Roanoke, Va.) has hosted NASCAR Cup Series races every year since 1949. It’s the shortest track on the NASCAR Cup Series circuit, with tight corners and a unique “paperclip” oval shape, ensuring an exciting race. Active duty military members and veterans get a discount of about $25 on seating in the Clay Earles Tower, Old Dominion Tower, and Turn 3 of the Bill France Tower. (See seating map.) Call (877) 722-3849 for information or tickets.
Need a place to stay near the speedway? Local accommodations offering military discounts include Quality Inn Dutch Inn (call 276-647-3721), Comfort Inn (call 276-666-6835), and Hampton Inn (call 276-647-4700).
No matter the season, sports fans will find plenty to do at Massanutten Resort in the Shenandoah Valley, including golfing on two challenging 18-hole courses, mountain biking, skiing, snowboarding, ice skating, and snow tubing. The military discount offers 10% off your stay, 20% off greens and cart fees, and 20% off admission to the indoor/outdoor waterpark, plus many other discounts. Get more information and see a full list of military discounts here. Call (540) 289-4952.
Deals are available as of Dec. 20, 2019, and may be subject to change.
Maryann Hammers is a freelance author who regularly contributes to MOAA.
