3 Trails to Visit After Quarantine: The Kentucky Bourbon Trail, The Donut Trail and Route 66

In a previous News Break article, I shared, Three Places I’d Love to Visit Again … After Quarantine. After re-reading my own article, I got even more inspired and noted a few other places that I would love to visit post-COVID.

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As a quick recap, prior to COVID-19, I spent most of my time outside of work traveling. For example, one of my most proudest accomplishments is traveling to 17 different states in 2017 with my two boys. We journeyed across the United States in between work and school, while I blogged about the adventures and shared tips along the way to readers.

In this post, however, instead of sharing places that I’d love to visit again, I’m sharing three trails that I have either started or plan to start (and complete) after COVID. These trails include the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, Route 66 and the Donut Trail.

If you never heard of either of them, I would definitely keep reading. If you have been on either of these trails, please leave some helpful tips in the comments for myself or for others who are reading this and have plans to experience them one day.

The Kentucky Bourbon Trail

The Kentucky Bourbon Trail is a program of the Kentucky Distillers' Association (KDA) with a focus on promoting the bourbon industry in Kentucky. Several distilleries are located throughout Louisville and Lexington on the trail.

Upon beginning the trail, you receive a passport. You can either pick up the passport or you can download it yourself. Once you have completed each stop on the trail, you receive a Kentucky Bourbon Trail shirt. It’s as simple as that. And, I want them both.

I love a good trail with a prize souvenir t-shirt at the end!

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Anywho, believe it or not, Kentucky is one of my favorite states, so I really want that stately experience as a part of my life journey. It’s just one of those things on my bucket list that needs to get checked off - one day. And, hopefully sooner than later.

As I mentioned, Kentucky is one of my favorite states, especially just to drive through. On many of my travels through Kentucky, I have passed by some of the distilleries that are on the trail. I have even stopped at a few, but have not had the opportunity to actually complete it and experience the way I really want to.

Route 66

Next up is Route 66. For those that follow my blog, many know that I have a fascination for the nostalgic Route 66. It is something about that era that just draws me in and captures every breath of me.

While I have always adored Route 66, it was not until we took a trip to Pontiac, Illinois a few years ago that I was able to learn more about route 66 and decided that I really wanted to take the trip across the United States.

By the end of our trip to the museum, I had my mind made up that I would drive what was left of Route 66 with my adorable pop-up camper (that I have yet to get).

I can already see it in my head, driving my SUV, pulling my little pop-up camper or pull-behind trailer with our bikes attached to the back; stopping randomly along Route 66 to sight see, and pulling the bikes out to ride down certain strips - taking in the scenery and capturing photos of what remains of the historic Route 66.

But until that dream comes true, I have been piecing together Route 66 with random visits when I can - such as the visit to the Pontiac, Illinois museum and cabin camping overnight in Eureka, Missouri at the Historic Route 66 KOA, Needles, California, The Pink Elephant Museum and so many more fascinating spots.

While each of the visits have been memorable, one of my favorites is visiting Needles, California. Needles is the gateway to California.

Arizona Route 66 Passport Program

Another fun part of Route 66 that I hope to experience is the Arizona Route 66 Passport Program. It offers passports free to Route 66 travelers.

The program includes 10 unique stamps to collect including 9 destinations and 1 wildcard stop. Children and families are welcomed to participate, as it is a fun way to learn Arizona’s stretch of Route 66.

If you are curious about other Route 66 stops that are specifically in the midwest, have a peek at a previous article that I shared on News Break last month, 3 Places Along Midwest Route 66 Worth the Visit. In the article, I share three unique places along Route 66 that are indeed great to stop and visit.

Donut Trail, Butler County, Ohio

The last luscious place on this list is the Butler County Donut Trail. 12 donut shops are located on an 80 mile trail throughout Butler County. Trail goers are encouraged to follow the Donut Trail map making stops at each donut shop and getting their passports stamped.

Below are the donut shops on the trail.

• Central Pastry Shop
• Holtman's Donuts
• Jupiter Coffee & Donuts
• Kelly's Bakery
• Martin's Donuts
• Milton's Donuts
• Mimi's Donuts & Bakery
• Oxford Doughnut Shoppe
• Ross Bakery
• Stan the Donut Man
• The Donut Hole by Milton's Donuts
• The Donut Spot

Once all stops have been conquered, Donut Trail t-shirts can be redeemed at the Butler County Visitors Bureau for completing the trail. How yummy and fun is that?!It’s another fun trail in the United States that offers a prize souvenir t-shirt for your completion of the trail.

Please keep in mind COVID restrictions and hours of operation if you plan to experience the trail.

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Final Thoughts

Again, these are just three trails that have been on my personal travel bucket list for a while. While I have attempted two of them, I have not yet completed them but sure plan to in the future, post-COVID.

What trails have you heard of that are similar to these that I should consider post-COVID?

Donut photo by Pexels. All other photos are mine from previous travels.

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