San Antonio Fire Museum

In August, oh my Lord, is it hot in San Antonio! But fear not – there's a hidden gem where you can feel the heat while relishing in a cool down. Enter the San Antonio Fire Museum, a sanctuary of both history and respite. Our guide, a seasoned SA firefighter with a whopping 34 (or maybe 37?) years of experience, transformed the museum into a living narrative with his intricate knowledge.

There is so much history in every nook & cranny, even Thomas’ English Muffins would be jealous. From a nostalgic Pollyanna board game to an impressive collection of fire engines and trucks, the museum is a repository of memories (and people waiting to share them with you!)

Oh, and let's not forget the Menger Bar, where history intertwines with the pleasure of a good beer. An unexpected twist emerges – little did we know, one of the hotel/bar's founders was intricately linked to the inception of the San Antonio Fire Department.

For the younger enthusiasts, the annex provides a haven for play, complete with a handful of fire-related toys. Even Moses got in on the action, lending his endorsement to the experience. So, whether the outside is blistering or not, the San Antonio Fire Museum stands as a testament to resilience and history, an invitation to explore and appreciate.
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Visited on August 15th, 2023

We had an awesome day at the San Antonio Fire Museum. Thank David Todd for provided a very interesting tour of the museum. Highly recommend it!

This was super fun! We had a real-life fireman tour us! My son had a great time and got to go in one of the firetrucks - there was also an interactive kids section and an ambulance he got to go inside 😁 it was also VERY reasonably priced - definitely worth a trip

Great museum to explore. You'll learn the evolution of the SA Fire department. You'll receive a brief tour by a veteran fire fighter, and then you are free to walk on your own. They have a kids section in the back with fire gear, a real truck, theater, ambulance, and a small indoor rec area. My kids enjoyed it a lot.

Very interesting and well put together little museum. Lovely volunteers; so helpful, patient and informative. Took my 3 year old grandson and when he saw the huge playroom with over a dozen toy fire engines, he was in heaven. He was allowed to sit on the seat of one of the old engines, wear the firefighter hat and ring the bell. This is a highly recommended activity, especially if you have little boys who love trucks and firemen.

Super cute and informative. It's was really cool to see all the old technology used back in the day by firemen. John was very knowledgeable and we enjoyed his tour. The front desk was very kind and helpful. Would definitely recommend this to any fire truck enthusiast.

We took the grandsons to see the museum and we all enjoyed the exhibits.

Highly recommend it specially for small kids that love fireman trucks. From the greetings wonderful service we got an intro tour with a gentleman name Juan in original house fireman. Had the patience to explain everything to my kiddos. After that it’s a self tour. I got lots of wonderful pictures of my kids. The gentleman at check out at the gift shop was really nice and patient prices are great so definitely is a must.

This is one of the best places to go, as a family, by far for this area. It's affordable, informative, historical, and very interesting. I want to add that having a guide that worked as a fire fighter, in the very same station as the museum is housed, was absolutely brilliant. Thank you for being so genuine and an amazing museum overall! The volunteers are true gems and made the experience even better!

This was a great place to go with my husband who is a volunteer firefighter and with my fire truck loving boys! I would recommend this to those visiting San Antonio and who love firetrucks. The staff was wonderful with my two young boys!

What a wonderful place! Super affordable, and my kids absolutely loved it! You're started off with a volunteer firefighter tour that tells you about some of their items, then they let you explore on your own. My kids loved dressing up at firemen pretended to put out fires. So glad we stopped here, it's amazing!

Amazing variety of fire fighting equipment. We went because my partner installs fire suppression equipment but they didn’t have any sprinklers. Mr. Juan was very knowledgeable and used to be a firefighter in that exact fire station turned museum. The different fire trucks were my favorite.

My son and I had a great visit here. The volunteer running the museum was a retired fireman and was awesome to talk with. There were many interesting things to see and several videos to watch. Also, it's just a short walk from the Alamo and very cheap to go and spend and hour or two.

This place is absolutely amazing. My dad was a fireman and there's so much stuff here I recognize and can explain to my kids. I loved that one of the people there showed us around at first and then gave us time to look around. I think my kids could have spent hours just putting on the fire fighter gear and pretending to put out fires.

Great little museum that has a lot to offer. it is free, which is nice, the staff is amazing and knowledgeable. I think that all of them are retired SAFD. all of the old fire trucks run and are used in parades, and their is even a great children's play area.

This is a wonderful museum, especially if you're a firefighter! There is so much history in this place as well as old equipment, very educational. It's ran by volunteers, that are beyond helpful. We visited during the week, so we had a personal escort, Walter. He's full of knowledge and very humble. We really enjoyed ourselves. There are activities for children to keep them entertained. As of our visit it was free, but they will start charging a small fee Feb 1st. Make sure you leave $$ for a donation.

Super interesting place to visit while in San Antonio. All the staff are retired fire fighters from all over the country. My husband, being a firefighter his self, had a wonderful time. Staff is so friendly! Definitely worth a stop while in SA. We also really love the shirts we got!!

My visit to the San Antonio Fire Museum was an unforgettable experience that shed light on the incredible dedication and bravery of our firefighting heroes.

The museum's exhibits offer a captivating journey through the history of firefighting in San Antonio. From vintage firefighting equipment to interactive displays that simulate real-life scenarios, every corner of the museum tells a story of courage and selflessness.

What truly struck me was the attention to detail and authenticity in recreating the past. The meticulously restored fire engines and gear showcase the evolution of firefighting technology, while personal accounts and photographs humanize the heroes who risked their lives for the safety of others.

The museum's dedication to education is commendable. Informative displays provide insights into fire safety and prevention, making it an engaging experience for visitors of all ages. The knowledgeable staff is always ready to share stories and answer questions, enhancing the overall learning journey.

Walking through the museum, I gained a profound appreciation for the sacrifices made by firefighters throughout history. It's not just a museum – it's a tribute that honors their commitment to protecting our communities.

For anyone interested in history, firefighting, or simply seeking to pay homage to our brave first responders, the San Antonio Fire Museum is an absolute must-visit. Prepare to be inspired, moved, and filled with gratitude for the unsung heroes who keep our cities safe.

Step into the world of firefighting legends and discover the heart and soul behind the emblem – the San Antonio Fire Museum is a true treasure.

An incredible experience, will definitely be back again. The friendly staff offered a ton of valuable knowledge, could have talked to them forever. Hopefully the city puts an elevator in and they get to use the second floor soon, they have a ton more stuff they want to show!

This historic fire museum is situated in downtown San Antonio. The fire station was in use until 2011. The museum first opened in 2013.
There are plenty of exhibits that explain the history of the history of the fire department. There is even a children's section that has activities.
The cost to enter is minimal. The gift shop is conveniently located at the main entrance. I highly recommend this museum to those in the fire service or those interested in the history.