Something new is coming to Foley.

No, it's not more lights.

Instead of just stepping on sidewalks, now you can step back in time with Foley Walking Tours. Whether you're ready to march through mystery, stride into spooky tales or amble on a pirate treasure hunt, these tours put a fun twist on exploring Foley's past — one footstep at a time.

Founder Ashley Crosland, a lifelong history lover with a theater degree from DePauw University (and a collection of antique and vintage hats), combined her passion for storytelling and history to create guided and self-guided tours that are both entertaining and educational.

"Our tours are a celebration of Foley's past with a playful twist," Crosland said. "We're proud to offer something that's fun for families, friendly to strollers and rooted in real history."

The company's three tours each highlight a different side of Foley's heritage:

Time Traveler Tour: This guided walk through downtown lasts about 55 to 60 minutes. Guests explore the people, places and pivotal moments that shaped Foley.

"Foley is more than just a stop on the way to the beach — it's full of heart, history and hidden gems. I love helping people see it with fresh eyes," Crosland said.

Haunted History Tour: Designed for evening strolls, this family-friendly tour explores the spooky folklore and haunted landmarks of Foley.

"It's just the right amount of spooky fun for all ages," Crosland explained. "My husband says I'm really good at acting like a lingering spirit."

Pirate Treasure Hunt: A self-guided, downloadable PDF scavenger hunt where families follow clues around downtown to find hidden pirate treasures left by the infamous Jean Lafitte.

"It's interactive and great for kids or couples who want a mystery to solve at their own pace," Crosland said.

The tours are crafted to be accessible and engaging.

"We make sure they're stroller-friendly and lighthearted. There are no dry history lectures here," Crosland said. "I like to keep things interactive and theatrical so everyone has a good time."

Tickets for guided tours are $35 for adults, $27 for kids ages 5-12 and free for children under 4. The Pirate Treasure Hunt is $30 per group and comes with coupons to enhance the experience. Group rates and custom bookings for schools, birthday parties and team outings are available.

WHERE PAST AND PRESENT MEET DOWNTOWN

Crosland's connection to Foley runs deep. Originally from Atlanta, she has called Baldwin County home since she moved here at 15.

"Downtown Foley has so much charm," she said. "It's walkable, full of character and packed with stories just waiting to be told."

Starting Foley Walking Tours was "exciting, challenging and incredibly rewarding. I've poured my heart into every detail, from research to designing the experience. The support from the Foley community has been amazing."

She described the research that goes into each tour: "Lots of digging — literally and figuratively. I read books, visited the Heritage Library, talked to longtime locals and even interviewed descendants of some of the people in the stories. It's all about mixing historical fact, local legend and those little-known tales that make you say, 'Wait, what?'"

Foley Walking Tours runs year-round, and bookings can be made online at www.foleywalkingtours.com.  Current tours run Fridays and Saturdays with the Time Traveler Tour at 5:30 p.m. and the Haunted History Tour at 7 p.m.

"We'll be adding daytime tours soon, especially during peak tourist seasons and school breaks," Crosland said.

Looking ahead to October, she is planning special Halloween-themed tours.

"October is going to be a blast. We'll have extended Haunted History nights, themed costumes and maybe a few surprise scares," she said.

When asked what she hopes visitors take away, Crosland said, "I want people to leave feeling connected — to Foley, to each other and to the stories that make this place special. If someone walks away saying, 'I didn't know that,' or 'That was so much fun,' then I've done my job."

She encouraged guests to bring water for warm evenings but noted that while snacks aren't provided on tours, downtown Foley has plenty of great restaurants nearby. She recommended The Copper Kettle Tea Bar, Yabba's Wacky Snack Shack and Stacey's Olde Tyme Soda Fountain as spots right by the meeting point at Foley's Welcome Center that offer drinks and to go or grab-and-go snacks. Plus, there are restaurants all over downtown if you want to grab a bite before or stick around after.

"Comfy shoes are a must. Costumes aren't required but can add to the fun, especially on the treasure hunt," she said.

Crosland is hosting a giveaway on the Foley Walking Tours Facebook page to celebrate the launch. Visitors can enter to win two free tickets by liking the giveaway post, following the Foley Walking Tours page and sharing the post. For a bonus entry, participants can comment on who they would bring along. The winner will be announced July 1.

For more information or to book a tour, visit www.foleywalkingtours.com.