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The venerable Wonder Wheel, Coney Island's oldest and greatest attraction, has dominated the Coney Island skyline for more than a century. Towering over an ephemeral amusement zone long plagued by fires, floods, and ill-conceived urban renewal schemes, the magnificent steel machine has proved to be the ultimate survivor. The ride boasts impressive statistics. A combination of roller coaster and Ferris wheel, the 150-foot-tall structure weighs 200 tons, has 16 swinging cars and 8 stationary cars, and can carry 144 riders. More than 40 million passengers have taken a ride on the wheel since it was built in 1920, and during that time, it has maintained a perfect safety record. The ride is also a monument to immigrant initiative. Charles Hermann, the ride's designer, was Romanian; the original owner, Herman Garms, was German; and Denos Vourderis, who purchased and lovingly restored the aging landmark in 1983, was Greek. An official New York City landmark, the Wonder Wheel is now owned and operated by three generations of the Vourderis family as the centerpiece of their Deno's Wonder Wheel Park. The enduring saga of this iconic ride, and the family that saved it, provide a captivating chapter of Coney Island's history.

Located in Trenton, Michigan, Elizabeth Park was a gift from the descendants of the Slocum and Truax families to the people of Wayne County. Donated in 1919, the property was transformed into an oasis providing recreational opportunities previously unavailable to the area. Besides picnicking, the park provided merry-go-rounds, swings, and slides for children as well as tennis courts, shuffleboard, and horseshoes for the adults. As time and tastes changed, the park had to evolve. In its heyday, during the 1930s, the 162-acre park saw nearly a million visitors a year; however, that number dwindled to a low point during the 1970s and 1980s. Amid many complaints to Wayne County officials, a countywide park millage was passed. Today, the park still retains some of the old but is also a carefree center of activity with boat races, antique car shows, and music festivals.

With the arrival of affordable transcontinental rail travel in the late 1880s, hundreds of thousands of tourists and transplants began making the trip to Los Angeles. Quickly becoming a haven for Easterners escaping cold winters and crowded cities, Los Angeles and neighboring communities, such as Pasadena and Santa Monica, boasted a sunny Mediterranean climate and the unique situation of both nearby mountain resorts and seaside amusements. The city also developed a bustling shopping and entertainment district downtown. More than 200 vintage postcard images illustrate a greatly diverse range of popular early attractions, including Mount Lowe, Eastlake Park, Hollywood, the Wilshire district, Griffith Park, Cawston's Ostrich Farm, the downtown shopping and theater district, and the expansive beaches, ranging from the turn of the 19th century up until World War II.