Want to have a great summer with the family without breaking your budget? You’re in luck! Baldwin County is a great place for a “staycation.”

Everyone wants to hit the beach in the summer, and in order to get to one of South Baldwin’s great beaches, you have to pass through Foley, home to one of my kids’ favorite places to visit, the Foley Railroad Museum.

You’ll find a large model train track, a train history museum and real train cars for your kids to explore — all for free. Find out more about it at FoleyRailroadMuseum.com. When you are done, take the family to Stacey Drugs Old Tyme Soda Fountain on Laurel Avenue for hot dogs, ice cream, shakes, malts, sodas and more. We were able to feed our family of four for less than $25.

After a visit to Stacey’s, take the family down 59 and hit the Gulf Shores Public Beach. It is free to use the public beach, and there are free parking lots located at East Second Street, West Fourth Street, West Fifth Street, West 13th Street and at Lagoon Pass. The paid parking lots are just $5 per day.

After spending the afternoon on the beach, your kids will be hungry. There are a lot of great restaurants in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, and many can be pricey. Plan ahead and find one within your budget. And make sure you save room for a hot doughnut from Krispy Kreme in Foley on the way home.

Kid friendly event

WHAT: Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo Camp

WHEN: June 23-27 (Monday through Friday)

WHERE: Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo, Gulf Shores

WHO: Zoo Camp is offered to elementary school age children, ages 5-11, in a full day session from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. and conducted by licensed teachers and trained volunteers.

WHY: Campers explore the zoo, partake in animal enrichment activities, meet the zoo keepers and meet some of the animal residents. The camp also has age-specific games, arts and crafts, and zoo-related events.

COST: $175 per camper for a full week.

REGISTER: Visit AlabamaGulfCoastZoo.org/zoo_camp.html or call Kim Dahlgren at 251-968-4910.