The following is but a thumbnail sketch of what the county has to offer.

The Oak Leaf Trail is the diamond of all Milwaukee-area trails. One name but comprising multiple loops, this beauty wends through all the parkways and major parks of the county, topping out at longer than 100 miles (the main section for most is an easy loop around the lakefront)!

The trail begins along Lincoln Memorial Drive between Ogden Avenue and Locust Street. Signs from here point your way, though note that not all myriad loops are well marked (or even marked). The most popular subroute is a 13-mile marked route, the Milwaukee ’76 Trail, starting from O’Donnell Park and stretching along the lakefront to the Charles Allis Museum and through east-side historic districts. As the Oak Leaf trailhead is along the lakefront, the best thing to do is explore the littoral scenery after huffing and puffing all day.

At 2400 North Lincoln Memorial Drive is the city’s most popular beach—Bradford Beach.

Henry Aaron State Trail, a new addition to the state’s reputable system, is a six-mile path leading from the lakefront, through historic districts, and ending in the near-west suburbs, much of it following the Menomonee River.

Other popular multiuse trails run along the Menomonee River between Good Hope and Bluemound Roads, along the Milwaukee River from Good Hope Road to the lakefront near McKinley Marina, along the Root River from Greenfield Avenue to Loomis Road, and along the south lakefront through Cudahy and South Milwaukee.

Find great ski trails at a number of parks, including Schlitz Audubon Nature Center, Whitnall Park, and, believe it or not, the Milwaukee County Zoo.

Bike and in-line skate rentals and personal watercraft (and kayaks) are usually available along the lakefront at Milwaukee Bike and Skate Rental (www.milwbikeskaterental.com) in Veterans Park. Just north of McKinley Marina, Welker Water Sport Rentals (414/630-5387) rents personal watercraft and kayaks.

The county’s website (www.countyparks.com) has maps of the Oak Leaf Trail and others, or you may request them.