A peek at delights ahead in summer 2009

The Milwaukee metro area always explodes with activities as the temperatures rise, but this year the calendar is jam packed.

Two Milwaukee favorites are returning:

• The Great Circus Parade, once a major international attraction, returns to Downtown Milwaukee July 12 for the first time since 2003. Once again, it shares the weekend with Bastille Days in East Town.

• The Milwaukee Air & Water Show last seen in 2007 returns July 25 & 26, featuring the famed Thunderbirds. This year, the show will be centered at Milwaukee’s Bradford Beach.

• The International Cycling Classic, known as Superweek, returns to Milwaukee’s lakefront, along with its regular stops in Racine, Hales Corners, Downer Avenue in Milwaukee, Shorewood, Whitefish Bay and the Holy Hill area northwest of Milwaukee.

The top spring and summer destinations for visitors to Milwaukee increasingly are along two corridors: the Lake Michigan shore from the Summerfest grounds to Discovery World, the iconic Milwaukee Art Museum, Veterans Park and Bradford Beach on the north, and a growing strip west from the new Harley-Davidson Museum to a greatly expanded Potawatomi Bingo Casino and Miller Park, home of the Milwaukee Brewers.

Bicycling, running and walking are popular along the lakefront and the Henry Aaron trail, which runs from the Harley museum to Miller Park. Segway tours begin from Discovery World, while kites abound at Veterans Park, along with paddleboats and public sailing opportunities. A revived Bradford Beach will host numerous events this summer, from volleyball competition to a big Beach Jam the same weekend as the Air Show.

After returning to the baseball playoffs last year, the Milwaukee Brewers are a team to watch. Nearly sold-out games bring World Series intensity, even if you decide to stay outside the park and
tailgate.

If you're a golfer, KeyMilwaukee.com’s golf guide can cue you into the beauties (and the beasts) among the area’s courses. Milwaukee County offers courses for all levels up to professionals, who will tee off in Brown Deer Park once again in July at the U.S. Bank (PGA) Championship.

Gardeners can enjoy the greens and other colors at Boerner Botanical Gardens, Villa Terrace and the renovated Mitchell Park Horticultural Domes. Art lovers will want to mark their calendars to attend the area’s many art fairs, beginning with the Lakefront Festival of Arts in June. Music performances are offered (literally) morning, noon and night.

Summerfest, the world's largest music festival, begins its 11-day run June 25 at the lakefront festival grounds. And throughout the summer, Milwaukee celebrates its diversity at the lakefront with festivals held at Maier Festival Park, the Summerfest grounds.

Head west where the Milwaukee County Zoo delights families, the Wisconsin State Fair grounds beckon and the Sharon Lynne Wilson Center celebrates the arts. Venture a bit farther and visit the landmark Ten Chimneys to relive the sophisticated lives of icons of American theater.

To the north of downtown, Historic Cedarburg celebrates the Midwest's most popular (straw) berry in June. During August, the tall ships sail into Port Washington while the Paramount Blues Festival held in Grafton moves to that month from September.

This is just a sampling of what awaits, so before your visit, check KeyMilwaukee.com for detailed information and be sure to sign up for Key-Zine e-newsletter with its updates, coupons and more.