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Vintage fire engine exhibit

Central Ohio Fire Museum in Columbus, Ohio

The first thing that happens here is a guide greets you for a quarter‑after‑the‑hour tour inside a restored 1908 firehouse. You move from hand‑pulled carts to a horse‑drawn steam engine to early motorized rigs, and there is a real fire pole kids can size up along the way. Most visitors pause to ring the 500‑pound station bell before they go.

Tours are the default way to see the place, and they build in hands‑on fire safety. In the former horse barn you step into a safety kitchen, map out a Home Escape Plan, and hear how emergency calls worked before 9‑1‑1. The building itself was originally Engine House No. 16, the last Columbus station built for horse‑drawn steam engines, and the guide points out those details as you go.

If you can, time your stop for the last tour of the day. The 2:15 tour includes the Heartmobile, and the Future Firefighters Academy lets younger visitors climb into a real truck cab and a tiller seat. Plan on about an hour to an hour and a half, which leaves room to browse the small gift shop for patches, caps, and other firefighter‑themed souvenirs.

Logistics are simple. The museum is fully wheelchair accessible on the first floor. There is a small free lot off the red‑brick driveway on the south side of the building, with paid lots and street meters next door if that fills up. Groups of ten or more can book a dedicated time, and staff can point you to nearby spots for lunch afterward.

  • Address: 260 N 4th St, Columbus, OH 43215
  • Typical hours: Open Tuesday through Saturday, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm; closed Sunday and Monday
  • Daily guided tours: 10:15, 11:15, 12:15, 1:15, 2:15; last tour includes the Heartmobile
  • Admission: Adults 18+ $9; Seniors 60+ $8; Children 3–17 $7; ages 2 and under free
  • Group tours: 10 or more guests at 10:00 am and 1:00 pm by reservation, $6 per guest
  • Plan for: 1 to 1.5 hours
  • Parking: Limited free on‑site parking via the south‑side red‑brick driveway; nearby paid lots and street meters available
  • Accessibility: Fully wheelchair accessible on the first floor
  • Known for: Restored 1908 Engine House No. 16, personally guided tours with fire safety education, Future Firefighters Academy, chance to ring the station bell
  • Phone: 614‑464‑4004 (museum and tours)

If you want a short, guided museum visit that blends Columbus firefighting history with practical, hands‑on safety, this one fits neatly into a daytime itinerary.

Published: September 9, 2026 · Reviewed by the Whats Up Columbus editorial team