New York City Fire Museum
278 Spring Street near Varick Street
(212) 691-1303

It’s an indisputable fact that every little boy wants to be a fireman at one point in his life. Hell, sometimes I still wake up with a feeling of deep regret over not having pursued that occupation. My point is, the New York City Fire Museum is a little kid’s dream, and a must for any parent who is raising a little Smokey the Bear.

Located at 278 Spring Street near Varick Street, the museum presents a large collection of authentic firefighting tools ranging from the eighteenth century to the present day. There is much to see, including hand-pulled and horse-drawn apparatus and other precursors to modern firefighting tools. Additionally, there is a bunch of fire-related artifacts such as toys, models, engine lamps, and photographs, to name a few.

All this is interesting for an adult, but spellbinding to a child, and the experience is one that can be enjoyed by the whole family, which is hard to do sometimes. Kids can’t relate to art and photography, but firefighting? Well, that’s a whole other story.

To make things even better for your tyke, the tours are given by actual firefighters. Meeting a real fireman is like meeting Batman when you’re seven years old, and the patience and professionalism shown by the guides goes a long way. Every question will get answered, and they might even scribble off an autograph or two. There is even a "Fire Safety House" which identifies common hazards and how they can be prevented, so your child will stop leaving those oily rags lying around the house.

The New York City Fire Museum is a surefire hit. For more information, let your fingers do the walking at (212) 691-1303. The building is open Tuesday through Sunday from 10 till 4 and carries a price tag of $4 in the form of a suggested donation. This is a truly worthwhile family outing.