Looks can be deceiving!! From the outside it doesn’t seem like a very big deal, but never judge a book by its cover. We drove almost three hours to check this place out and it was well worth the journey. From the moment we walked through the doors we were greeted warmly by an actual retired Orlando firefighter and his wife. Incredibly, our volunteer personally worked for Randall Tuten-the museum’s namesake. I don’t want to give everything away, but you’ll learn every quickly that the building you’re standing in wasn’t always in that location & it has a very interesting history that you can see photos of. There are old fire engines inside which will blow you away by how beautifully they’ve been restored and cared for. The photos hanging around the perimeter are sectioned off by years, with history dating back to the 1800’s-the inception of the department!! A trip upstairs shows how the firefighters bed and turnout gear were set up… It’s truly jam-packed with tools, equipment, uniforms, and more! One of the most noteworthy features of this museum is that it is FAMILY FRIENDLY! Admission is Free, and you’re allowed to put on a helmet and actually sit in one of the fire trucks for a photo! They’ll also let you ring the bell!! This truck is the same that they have Santa and Mrs. Claus ride on during the annual Christmas parade, where they also visit patients in the children’s hospital. There’s T-Shirts, patches, stickers, badges, and children’s helmets for sale. Whether you’re a fire enthusiast or just looking for an exquisite time capsule, this is a MUST VISIT. They accept major credit cards (to purchase souvenirs), but if you’re so inclined you can bring a few dollars to drop in the...
Read moreCost: free parking. Free entry-donation based
We visited the Orlando Fire Museum and had an amazing experience! Despite seeing a few reviews about the place not being open as advertised, we arrived at noon, and the "open" light was on. I'm glad we gave it a shot!
This museum is fantastic for kids. They got to turn the old-school fire alarm and even trigger a real fire alarm. They loved ringing the bell on the old fire truck and were thrilled to receive firefighter hats as souvenirs.
For adults, the museum offers a wave of nostalgia. Seeing the rotary phone and old typewriter brought back fond memories. The museum staff were incredible—they took the time to answer all our questions and shared so much interesting history with us.
We spent a full hour here and could’ve stayed longer. It’s a small but memorable place that’s definitely worth a visit. Highly recommend checking it out if you’re...
Read moreOur family stopped in on a Saturday afternoon. Admission is free to the museum, which is amazing! When we visited, there were two retired fire chiefs on duty volunteering to show us around. Our kids were given their own fire hats to wear and keep, and they were treated so nicely throughout the tour! There is a 1920s working fire truck on display, and the kids were encouraged to climb up on it so that we could take their picture, and they were allowed to ring the bell and pretend like they were driving. The volunteers were very knowledgeable due to their years of service, and were able to tell us a lot about the museum and the history of fire fighting. The building itself dates from the 1800s and was relocated to its current location from downtown by cutting it in half and moving it! There's also a fire alarm that the kids could crank to create the sound. Great museum, well...
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