Folsom Powerhouse State Historic Park

An independent inn at the edge of Historic Folsom, walking distance to Sutter Street and the river bike trail. The Premium rooms sleep four, and the pool is summer only.

Folsom's library, with a picture book room and drop-in story time for little ones, a short walk from the zoo and the mini train.

A bakery café a block from Sutter Street: order at the counter, grab a table on the big patio, and they bring it out. The cake case is the whole point.

Folsom's Gold Rush history on Sutter Street, small enough for short attention spans. Pair it with a walk down the old street.

A miniature steam train that has been looping through City Lions Park since 1970, right around the Folsom zoo. Ten minutes of pure joy for a train kid. It doesn't run in the rain or on the hottest days.

A small zoo for rescued animals that can't go back to the wild, which makes for a nice conversation with a kid who asks why the bear is here. Open a few days a week only, so check before you go.