My daughter and I went in and got a great tour from James Gonzales. After finding out that I was a firefighter from the east coast we talked shop, traded stories, and had a wonderful time! My 4 year old daughter loved every second of asking questions, climbing on rigs, and seeing all the displays that not only keep interesting for kids but tell a rich history of the San Antonio Fire Department! Highly recommend this gem, within a stone's throw of the Alamo. Stop in and learn some, see some history, support a great cause, and have a conversation with amazing people! read more

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This has been one of the most unique places I have taken my children. This year, 2026, I officially started up a Homeschool Group and this is where we had our first field trip at. All the parents had really great feedback about it as well. I believe all, or most people, who work here are retired firefighters. They do such an amazing job explaining and giving us an understanding of all the things there. We also had Captain Conrad come out and put on an excellent presentation for the youth and little kids. He kept them engaged! This place is great for all ages, and I would highly recommend you come out and visit. read more

The Fire Museum is such an informative & fun experience. Captain Conrad is SO friendly & inclusive. He puts on a safety performance that my students loved (& still sing). We had such a great time! read more

What an extraordinary find this small museum was! Everything is original--displays are set up to tell a story--and there are helpful firemen (look for James Gonzales) to add in even more details. It's so personal--I learned so much. Prepare for a pretty emotional experience. I'm back at the hotel now googling the 1979 Battle of the Flowers parade--that's because of one picture I saw at the museum--there are hundreds in addition to the vintage equipment and safety garb. Much love and expertise has gone into this museum. It's a shame to miss it. Oh, hey! They have a terrific children's area, too! read more

In town for 5 days and I had a free day where I had nothing planned... and looked up this place. Our hotel was just around the corner so I passed by a few times and after some research, it looked fun! I got the impression that the building is a retired fire department manned by volunteers. You get assigned your own "tour guide" (a retired firefighter) upon entry after a $5 entry fee to help with the upkeep. We actually arrived at the same time as another family with kids so we got placed together under one guide. If you come without kids, you get all the historical details... if you have kids, you'll get a brief run through and skip to the fire trucks through history. They also include helmets, boots, jackets, and even pants to try on. They are HEAVY (which you would expect) so my 5 year old daughter tried on the jacket only, which was enough for her. Haha... You can also ring the bell! There is a back section geared towards children with an ambulance that you can walk through, more retired fire trucks, a small theatre room about fire safety, and a play room with fire fighting themed items. I found it very interesting. Each vehicle has their own sign with more detailed information. Photos, uniforms from a few other countries, etc. I would have liked the more in depth tour - maybe next time when they're a few years older. My 20 month old and 5 year old liked exploring all the trucks (you can climb into a few of them) and the play area in the back. As it is, if you have time and are in the area, I recommend stopping by! The people there are quite nice and knowledgeable. read more

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I went as a newly local to the San Antonio area.. as I am exploring the different historical aspects of the city ..I saw a small crowd, unfortunately, because I believe it deserves more traffic than it gets but all the members that were conducting business on scene were previous San Antonio or firefighter members in the city who are now retired and still dedicating their time to this historical aspect of the city..they have an extreme and extensive knowledge of San Antonio's history and specifically to the fire department.. t the individuals who help continue the Legacy of this Museum are true gems.. I hope to see more support and development for this Museum throughout the city and the county ..a lot of the artifacts and photos were directly derived from the San Antonio Department which i absolutely adorded bc its the actual items used throughout the development of the San Antonio Fire Department out of all these years. Good info on exhibits not only for sa history but 911, women, African Americans those who past o. Active duties and er services. If you talk to the members there! They give an excellent tour. read more

The staff made the museum experience an over the top experience! Learning the history was cool too!

James was fantastic and knowledgeable and super welcoming! Loved the exhibits, and the history behind everything you know (and don't) not just about SA Firefighters but firefighting in general. So very well curated and interesting. read more

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Nice place to beat the heat with my 2 young kids! The volunteers who work here are knowledgeable and love to talk about their experiences. My kids were happy looking through some of the interactive parts of the museum for about 1.5 hours. Paid public parking is close by. read more

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I would like to say that Rick Lopez was great. He educated and informed us. He told stories of most of the retired staff and the development of the neighborhood and the Fire Department. This was the best experience!!! read more

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Mr. Albert was such a wonderful tour guide ! He came up with cute poses for us and even took our photos. His enthusiasm and the " twinkle in his eyes" as he told us about the different fire trucks was refreshing ! It was an honor to have a member of the original firehouse share the history of how things once operated. Mr. Albert truly made us feel special! I'd also like to acknowledge James, the other tour guide . He was very kind in answering additional questions and even took the time to see if there was a fire patch on the wall from my home town. When there wasn't one on the wall, he looked up the surrounding cities of my hometown and located one for me! The Museum itself was nice and I really like that they have a fire truck available for you to climb on and take photos! read more

Great museum. Very quiet on a Tuesday. Ralph and James are retired firefighters who toured us through the museum. Lots of old fire trucks and exibits. A fun play area for kids. Perfect for a rainy day ! read more

Amazing nicest staff you could imagine they were closed but it was a hot Texas summer day they let us come I. And even let the kiddos take a pic on the old fire truck and we're very informative we ended up buying the kids a tshirt and a Dalmatian plush we will def go for the tour when we visit SA again read more

We took our three grandkids here over Christmas break. We had a retired fireman who walked us thru each exhibit and gave us excellent historical information. The kids favorite part was getting to climb on the fire truck, take pics in the cut outs and watch the videos in the video room. This was all at the end, so left on a high note. read more

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Awesome display of fire equipment past and present, lots of history, they even have an area for kids to learn about fire fighting and first aid, and they have turn out gear for big and little kids. We had a tour guide, Jim Collins, he retired from the San Antonio Fire Department and now does amazing tours. Make sure you check out the gift shop, great shirts and coffee cups, got me a San Antonio Haz Mat shirt and a coffee cup too. The museum is located right behind the Alamo. read more

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I stopped by here on my last day in town, and had a very pleasant tour from one of the retired volunteers. I wish I remembered his name, but he was awesome, and I was honored and humbled to have been given a tour by him. The museum is exactly as you would expect. Lots of old trucks and memorabilia, but there is also a special section for the kids to play in and dress up (big kids too). The gift shop is reasonably priced, and I was happy to buy a few patches to share with family back home. read more

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We had a great time at the Fire museum today with our 18 month old. We got there a little early and walked around the Alamo and river walk. Then went into the museum. It's run by all volunteers and they were really knowledgeable and engaged. We saw a few different trucks and displays. Then we went and played in the back kids area, which my son loved! It was a great, inexpensive stop with or without kids! read more

We drove to San Antonio with plans to visit the zoo and were rained out. I looked on Yelp for a museum the whole family would enjoy. The Fireman Museum was the only museum with 5*s so we went. We were welcomed upon arrival and informed of everything to see including a newly opened building. I spoke with a volunteer that was wonderful! She told me about her husband's long career with the department and a young man that worked with her husband early on and then became Chief. She was so friendly and informative. Our family all enjoyed the museum and can see why it has 5 stars. Thank you so much for bringing sunshine to an otherwise rainy day. read more

San Antonio Fire Museum - My little firefighter - Museums Near Me - San Antonio, Texas

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We stumbled across the SA Fire Museum and I'm so glad we did! My friend, our three kids under 5, and I had a great time here recently. It's not expensive - $4/adult and free for kids. It seems to be run by retired firemen, There was one who acted as our guide and helped the kids ring the bell on an engine and play dress up in the firemen garb. It's located inside what seems to be an old fire station; there are three old engines that have been restored (and are often used in parades, including Fiesta). There is also a play area for the kids that included puzzles, fire trucks, books, etc. Such a fun little place and the firemen really made it a special experience. read more

This was a great museum. We got a full guided tour from one of the volunteers who was a retired fire fighter. He told us lots of information about the fire trucks and equipment that we would never know. This was totally fascinating and I definitely recommend visiting this museum. Also this is great for kids. read more

San Antonio Fire Museum - Museums Near Me - San Antonio, Texas

Absolutely an amazing museum to see while in San Antonio!! Highlight of my trip!! Family-friendly, affordable, highly personalized experience!! I was in town for a conference and found it rated well and was on my way from hotel to Alamo. Stopped in on a Saturday morning. The staff was super apologetic about charging $5 for admission, but that is a total deal for what you get. After paying, I was assigned a kind, wonderful retired firefighter as my personal docent/tour guide. He showed me all kinds of things in the small museum that I might have otherwise missed, and answered all my questions. He also shared stories about his time as a firefighter. The experience was magical. They have one big room (with three fire trucks inside) as well as a room off of this one where they host kids' fire birthday parties (so stinkin' cute!!) and teach kids about fire safety. This was impressive, and makes the museum a good time for families. Really, this is a must-see experience in San Antonio, and very much a bargain to go into a fire house and get a personal tour. Also, much less crowded than other flashier museums (or Alamo) in the area. GO VISIT!! read more

A "must" for any tourist or native San Antonian! We went on a Saturday. The "receptionist" was a retired fire fighter. We paid and he have us a short intro to the museum and its history. It's self guided so you can take as long as you want. This place is perfect for adults and kiddos alike--there's even an area to try on firefighter outfits and climb into an EMS vehicle or a fire truck. It's closed on Sunday's. read more

San Antonio Fire Museum - Museums Near Me - San Antonio, Texas

What a great experience for adults and children. Little bit of SAFD history with education for children. Would recommend stopping in!

Well this hidden gem was well worth checking out. Located right behind the Alamo which was perfect since we were at Alamo and a super short walk to get to this place. Price was absolutely right. Adults 3 bucks, can't beat that. The gentleman who walked with was super knowledgeable on the history and was very friendly. It was really cool to see the super old fire trucks and learn some of the history of the San Antonio fire department. read more

By far the best hidden gem in San Antonio. The cost is $5 per adult and it's completely worth it. We had two retired firefighters showing us old trucks with the rotary siren and bell. My kiddo had the best time and had to be dragged out! They have "dogs", the pole they slid down, and a kid's place in the back. It's less than a 3 minute walk from the Alamo. read more

We stayed right across the street from this museum at the Marriott, and on our last day in San Antonio, we wanted to squeeze in one last activity. So we walked on over to the SA Fire Museum! It is small, but it's a great way to spend about an hour. Especially for kids. The docents are very friendly, knowledgeable, and excited to share with you their former profession. Admission is free, they just ask that you support them by a donation or a purchase from their gift shop area. There are many great photo ops on the old fire trucks and they have firemen jackets and helmets to try on for your photos. Highly recommended. read more

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We were on a six day road trip through Texas and this was one of our favorite stops! The retired firefighters that founded and run this museum are just all around amazing people, and the museum is top-notch. They have some really amazing things to see that you won't see anywhere else. And we've been to a lot of fire museums across the country as our son has been passionate about firefighting since he was little! Every city we visit includes a visit to any fire museum or relic they may have. This one was my favorite of all! When we visited here, our son was two weeks away from graduating from the Fire Academy. They not only showed him around, but shared wisdom and stories he could take with him. These are dedicated professionals, that will never really retire. This shines through in them as people, and in their museum. They've put a lot of time, money, and hard work into a museum everyone can appreciate! read more

San Antonio Fire Museum - Sharing wisdom with the next generation. - Museums Near Me - San Antonio, Texas

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Great museum, while there you can see the history of fire fighters. The many changes fire fighters has gone through, the artifacts are excellent. Greeter can give you some of inside of museum. No charge so that plus. If you in the area definitely must do. read more

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What a great museum. It was chock full of history and memorabilia. The two guys in there were retired firefighters and were just full of information and stories. It is located just behind the Alamo. I'm glad we stopped in. read more

Fire department was original building and includes original and "newer" equipment. Great customer service and friendly, informative tour guide. Donations are appreciated. Has a small area for children to play: puzzles, blocks, books and fire trucks of course. Small gift shop available to purchase souvenirs. Building available for private birthday parties also. read more

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My nephew enjoyed this place. It was cost effective and my only downfall is that it didn't have free parking. The kids center was fun.

Our family loved this museum, especially since my son is totally into trucks of all sorts. I love that it used to be an old fire station and the volunteers are retired firefighters-makes the experience more authentic! They have a kid friendly area plus very informative sections for adults. Totally recommend if you're visiting SA downtown and it's walking distance from the Alamo. read more

Loved this place! Came in spur of the moment with my guy and the men are so nice! They make you feel welcome and are more than happy to help with the tour. I've learned a lot during our visit and I can't wait to go back to take my little one. Highly reccomend. Its free admission but feel free to make a charitable donation as this placed is based off volunteers running the facility. read more

Super friendly staff! Gave us a personal tour and made a wonderful impression. Great exhibits and more to come. Thank you so very much.

Newly open Museum in Spring of 2013. This was the San Antonio Central Fire Headquarters until 2011. A collection of fire trucks and various tools used throughout history. This is a very cool place for anyone and everyone. It operates by volunteers and lots of donations. I visited today with a 9 year old boy and he was completely satisfied. The awesome staff let him sit in trucks and turn on sirens. This was truly the high lite of his day. If you visit the Alamo this is only 1 block away behind it. It's worth the time and kids are free! read more

San Antonio Fire Museum - Museums Near Me - San Antonio, Texas

The Fire Museum was incredible and we were so honored to be given a tour by one of the men who had worked for the department for about 30 years. We were lucky enough to meet another gentleman who had also worked alongside. They both had so much history to share and antics between each other showed their bond through working together. The museum runs off of donations and for every dollar the city matches it. There are big changes coming with more interaction and fun for all ages, help them get moving on the new additions! read more

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This is a great little museum with items and information dating back to the 1800's. Our two boys (9 and 6yrs old) enjoyed the museum. It's a great way to spend 30-40 minutes. The museum accepts donations which makes this a very affordable adventure where you just donate whatever you can. read more

We visited the museum after attending a conference in the city. The volunteers were friendly, knowledgeable, and eager to educate. Great for kids, or anyone who has ever been in the fire service. read more

Great place! The volunteers were incredibley friendly (the place was run only by volunteers) and knowledgeable. Lots of old fire fighting tools you don't see being used in the fire service anymore. read more

Just the fact that they have this open on Saturday is worthy of 5. Popped in near closing time and they let my 7 yr. old head straight to the children's portion. There's an ambulance and fire truck and gear to try on. The people at the front were so kind and my daughter enjoyed the short visit. Seeing the older trucks and equipment make me happy that technology has advanced for our safety and the safety of firefighters. Thanks for your service! read more