"Illustrates the drive and dedication of a remarkable couple, Franz and Louise Scherr, and their children as they braved adversity during the depression and World War II to establish 'The World's Only Parrot Jungle.' It is a beautiful story of the human spirit."--William P. VanderWyden III, University of Miami School of Law "A lively, comprehensive account of a famed, one-of-a-kind tourist attraction."--Paul S. George, Miami-Dade Community College This colorfully illustrated book tells the story of one of Florida's oldest and most popular tourist attractions. Built in 1936 in a lush hardwood hammock near Miami, Parrot Jungle and Gardens has entertained, enthralled, and educated more than 15 million visitors, and is home to more than a thousand stunning macaws, mynah birds, cockatoos, parakeets, and peacocks. Offering a glimpse into the tropical fantasy world that represented Florida tourism for postwar America, Parrot Jungle was one of hundreds of privately owned roadside attractions built during the thirties that featured Florida's natural splendor. Most have disappeared, making way for corporate-owned theme parks--except for Parrot Jungle. An Austrian immigrant, Franz Scherr, and his family opened the attraction with a dozen macaws and parrots and an assortment of raccoons, opossums, and land crabs. It has survived a world war, gas shortages, devastating hurricanes, rampant development, bird robberies, and a change in ownership--all while displaying several hundred species of subtropical birds which fascinate visitors with their intelligence, exotic beauty, distinct personalities, and remarkable capacity to mimic human voices. Some have been with the attraction longer than any employee--50 years or more. Over the years, they appeared on television's Miami Vice, posed with Jackie Gleason, Winston Churchill, and Miss America, and stole the show at the Florida exhibit at the 1964 World's Fair. Miami's Parrot Jungle and Gardens traces the history of a pioneer attraction from the golden age of "Mom and Pop" tourism, an enduring South Florida institution that will continue to draw appreciative crowds for decades to come. Cory H. Gittner is a freelance writer and the owner of Mediatech, a public relations and marketing firm in Miami Shores, Florida. He has been a consultant and volunteer for the Dade Heritage Trust and was active in restoration of the Cape Florida Lighthouse. Pinky, one of the most famous of the "showbiz" birds at Parrot Jungle and Gardens, cemented the attraction's international fame as a tourist destination with her performance at the 1964 New York World's Fair. A brilliant Moluccan cockatiel, Pinky stole the show and drew huge crowds to the State of Florida exhibit when she rode a tiny bicycle across a highwire from one end of the pavilion to the other. Now more than 60 years old, Pinky still performs her act at the Jungle's Parrot Bowl.

Welcome to Miami, a subtropical oasis of fun-in-the-sun excitement on the southern tip of the Florida peninsula. Get ready for a day at the beach and a night on the town; a culinary tour of the world and an exploration of fascinating cultures and history; shopping sojourns that lead from the biggest malls down to the smallest roadside stands. It's all here in the place where major highways end and adventures begin. Rome may not have been built in a day, but it almost seems as if Miami was. In just 100 years, it has gone from a sleepy fishing village by the bay to an international metropolis and business center -where sleek office buildings rise alongside luxury hotels, where arts and culture not only thrive but re-define artistic frontiers, where local restaurants feature the flavors of many different cultures, and clubs sizzle until dawn. Here, visitors delight in gourmet dining and world-class shopping, discovering the diversity of restaurants filled with the flavors of Latin America and the Caribbean and shopping opportunities that run the gamut from boutique shops to enormous malls boasting their own tempting eateries. Miami's many moods also flavor the myriad concerts and cultural events, art galleries, museums, book fairs and festivals that fill its cultural calendar all year long. When the sun sets, many visitors head back east toward South Beach, holiday kingdom of the night. Here, in a Deco-designed district of pastel neon, clubs throb with a mesmerizing mix of music, from salsa to reggae to hard rock. Daytime visitors to South Beach enjoy the boutiques, beachfront parks, charming restaurants and cafes and art galleries. But at night, the rhythms of South Beach's club scene overwhelm the beat of the Atlantic thundering onto the famous beaches. Miami's hotel variety is staggering. All the major chains are here, from business-friendly airport hotels to sumptuous, full-service beach and golf resorts and gleaming, high-rise and high-style city hotels. And don't forget the Art Deco masterpieces of South Beach -small boutique hotels lining Ocean Drive and Collins Avenue offer personalized service, unique amenities and fascinating histories. Here is the ultimate guide to it all! Every restaurant, hotel, nightclub, beach and recreation possibility worth your attention is described in detail by an author who lives here, with color photos throughout.

These useful guides are highly recommended... Library Journal. The most detailed guide to the southern Atlantic coast of the Sunshine State, a magnet for hundreds of thousands of tourists. Based on the larger Adventure Guide to Southeast Florida, this focuses on the Atlantic Coast from Miami up past Fort Lauderdale. It takes you beyond the high-rise condos and urban sprawl to find natural, beautiful South Florida at its best. As with all Adventure Guides, the emphasis is on outdoor activities kayaking, canoeing, deep-sea fishing, scuba diving, turtle- and manatee-watching, and dozens of other ways to have fun. Many sidebar interviews with local experts and guides offer insights on everything from canoeing the Loxahatchee River to swimming with dolphins to seeking out great horned owls! Accommodations, restaurants and sightseeing too. Extensively researched, the focus is on outdoor activities - hiking, biking, rock climbing, horseback riding, parasailing, scuba diving, backpacking, and waterskiing, among others - and all the details you need, including prices, are included. The best local outfitters are listed, along with contact numbers, addresses and recommendations. A comprehensive introductory section provides background on history, geography, climate, culture, when to go, transportation and planning. The guide then takes a region-by-region approach, plunging into the very heart of each area and the adventures offered, giving a full range of accommodations, shopping, restaurants for every budget, and festivals.Abundant town and regional maps.

Exploring the presence and meanings of these birds in the art, literature, and history of Western civilization, Parrot Culture traces the unusual history of parrots from their introduction in the Graeco-Roman world, through the great age of New World exploration, to the contemporary ecological crisis of globalism.

Florida's environment produces a breathtaking variety of plant life, and nineteen of its most famous and most fabulous gardens are featured in this coffee-table book. Vivid color photographs almost two hundred of them�showcase these lovely sanctuaries, small and large. Each garden�s focus and history is discussed. Readers can visit well-known places such as Cypress Gardens and Busch Gardens, tropical fantasies like the Parrot Jungle, and quiet retreats such as the Morikami Japanese Garden. Floral fans, weekend gardeners, and anyone who appreciates beauty will love this book. A list of annual events at Florida gardens is included.

Discover a side of Miami so hidden even the natives don't know it exists. A space rocket abandoned in the swamp, a futuristic expo that never was, a city wiped off the map, a national monument at the bottom of the ocean. Photographs, addresses, and coordinates are provided to take a “then-and-now” look into the Magic City’s hidden history.

Find the perfect spot for your beach blanket as you follow Trish to spectacular sun-splashed locations the crowds have yet to discover. With this guide, travel planning Florida's Gold Coast is a breeze. This is the ultimate guide for discriminating travelers who desire authentic experiences rather than canned entertainment—the natural beauty and rhythms of destinations instead of carbon-copy hotels with commonplace restaurants. Organized from Palm Beach south to Key West, this updated edition looks beyond the obvious and shares the unique, off-beat side of Florida. It even includes eco-friendly tips and environmental information about the region. Author Trish Riley has scoured the area for legendary chefs and local harvests, historic downtown districts, cozy inns, and sizzling beaches. Whether you enjoy camping out or savoring fine linen sheets, bird-watching or deep-sea fishing, here you will find the most up-to-date advice to make your trip unforgettable. Find out why the Explorer's Great Destinations series is “consistently rated the best guides to the regions covered. Readable, tasteful, appealingly designed. Strong on dining, lodging, culture, and history.”—National Geographic Traveler