Grab your scavenger hunt gear, fill your backpack with your treasure map, passport and maybe some water and revel in the excitement of the hunt! The hunt is for the best donut in Butler County, Ohio, the treasure map is a cartoonish trail of bakeries, and the passport is a cute keepsake from your favorite stops along the way — but it’s a hunt, nonetheless.
Founded in 2016, the Butler County Donut Trail was the first in the country and only one of its kind in the Midwest and Ohio. Since its founding, more than 17,400 visitors from around the world made their way through the trail. Now, with 12 family-owned donut bakeries and businesses on the map, the Donut Trail is more flavorful than ever.
Stan the Donut Man. Photo: Butler County Visitors Bureau
With a host of unique flavors, including tiger tails, s’mores, raspberry cheese and Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup, any taste-tester can find their favorite along the way.
Follow along with others on the trail on social media, @DonutTrail
, or pay a visit yourself. Butler County happens to be a 30-minute drive from Dayton and about a 90-minute drive to Columbus, so you can easily spend the day filling up on sweets and exploring the town in a multicity visit.
For those who trekked the trail before, there’s a new stop on the list: The Donut Spot. This new addition coincides with the trail’s anniversary, as well as new t-shirt designs for participants.
Photo: Butler County Visitors Bureau
The entire trail has actually been a real economic boost for the area and great addition to the community. Not only does the “sweetest adventure” bring in tourists each year (significantly boosting the whole county’s economy), it supports mom-and-pop businesses and even enlists the help of creative locals. The Butler County Visitors Bureau held a contest where local residents could get creative and submit designs that highlight the 12 donut shops of the trail. Those designs were used to make t-shirts for each participant who completes the trail — don’t forget to fill your passport for proof.
All in all, your family will walk away completely full with new t-shirts and sweet bragging rights.
Read This Next
How Gen Alpha Influences Family Travel Plans
Kids
Jul 14, 2026#WhereverFamily
Insta FeedNorth America
Jul 13, 20263 Florida Resorts Perfect for a Family Vacation
Florida has more than its fair share of reasons for families to plan vacations there, and the state has so many resorts to choose from that choosing where to stay can be overwhelming. We’ve shortlisted three resorts perfect for families to have a great stay without the stress of sorting through hundreds of options.
Sponsored Content
Best of Both Worlds
Enjoy the best of both worlds when you fly with TAP Air Portugal thanks to the Portugal Stopover program. With the program, TAP passengers, whether traveling for business, leisure or both, can stop in Portugal for up to 10 days at no additional airfare on the way to their final destination. What does this mean for travelers wishing to explore by both land and sea? It means after flying to Portugal with TAP and experiencing the country in an entirely new way, travelers can then embark on scenic river and ocean cruises from Portugal’s port cities, or fly with TAP to another European destination.
Europe
Jul 10, 2026New Luxury Family Beach Resort on Caorle Seafront in Italy: Cavallino Bianco Caorle
Overlooking the sea in Caorle, Italy, Cavallino Bianco Caorle - Venezia, a 101-room, 5-star, family-oriented beach resort, recently opened. Every space on the property was intentionally designed to reflect different facets of the same promise: to give true value back to family time, following the resort’s philosophy of “It’s Family Time – Live it Now.”
Destinations / North America
Jul 10, 2026Meet with Indigenous Peoples in Quebec
The Québec City area is home to a vibrant Indigenous community welcoming visiting families eager to learn about their ancient and continuing culture. Wendake, about 15 minutes from the city, is the home of the only Wendat Nation in Canada, and its people are proud to share their culture, traditions and history.
North America
Jul 10, 2026Where to Have the Ultimate Screen-Free Family Escape on Florida’s Gulf Coast
Parents, it's time to reclaim family travels and head to Florida’s 30A for an unplugged, screen-free vacation. WaterColor Inn and WaterSound Inn offer an upscale escape where families can leave the tablets and video games behind and spend quality time together. Think paddle boarding, playing on the beach and exploring the great outdoors.
Destinations / North America
Jul 9, 2026LEGO F1 Debuts Thrill Zone Headliner for LEGO Festival 2026 at LEGOLAND California
Family travelers heading to LEGOLAND California Resort in the near future are in for a treat: LEGO Festival 2026 reaches high speed with the introduction of LEGO F1 headlining the Thrill Zone. LEGO Festival is the ultimate celebration of play, inviting kids to take the lead and bringing families together through interactive play.
ShareThis