Riverbanks Zoo & Garden

State: South Carolina. Type: zoo and botanical garden spanning 170 acres along the Saluda River in Columbia and West Columbia. Opened April 25, 1974, after five years of planning by the state-created Rich-Lex Riverbanks Park Special Purpose District. Accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). South Carolina's largest gated attraction, drawing over one million visitors a year. Address: 500 Wildlife Parkway, Columbia, SC 29210.

Riverbanks Zoo & Garden sits along the Saluda River between Columbia and West Columbia, combining a zoo housing roughly 2,000-3,000 animals with a separate 70-acre botanical garden across the river. Planning began in 1969 when the state legislature created the Rich-Lex Riverbanks Park Special Purpose District to develop and manage the site, and the zoo opened on April 25, 1974. The botanical garden followed decades later, opening June 10, 1995, and today displays several thousand species of native and exotic plants. Major exhibits include an African Plains area with giraffes and zebras, an Aquarium Reptile Complex with Pacific coral reef species, the Ndoki Forest area (which added Southern white rhinos after its elephants relocated in 2019), a birdhouse with king, rockhopper and gentoo penguins, and a Sea Lion Landing modeled on San Francisco's Pier 39. An aerial gondola, the Saluda Skyride, connects the zoo and garden sides of the river. An AZA-accredited institution, Riverbanks is South Carolina's largest gated attraction, drawing more than a million visitors annually, and in December 2023 the surrounding county approved roughly $80 million toward a further expansion known as the "Bridge to the Wild" plan.

Riverbanks Zoo & Garden is located at 500 Wildlife Parkway, Columbia, SC 29210, straddling the Saluda River between Columbia and West Columbia in Lexington and Richland counties.

Columbia has a humid subtropical climate with hot, humid summers and mild winters typical of central South Carolina's Midlands region. Because the zoo and garden are largely outdoors, summer heat and humidity are worth planning around, though shaded exhibit areas and the aquarium/reptile complex offer some relief.

Spring and fall generally bring more comfortable temperatures for a full day of walking the zoo and garden than the height of summer. The zoo runs seasonal promotions, such as free admission on "Free Fridays" in January and February for Richland and Lexington county residents, and a "Toucan Tuesdays" buy-one-get-one deal in summer, which can also factor into timing a visit.

Planning for Riverbanks began in 1969, when the South Carolina legislature created the Rich-Lex Riverbanks Park Special Purpose District to develop and manage a zoo along the Saluda River. After five years of planning, the zoo opened to the public on April 25, 1974. Major exhibit expansions followed over the decades, including the 2002 addition of African elephants, gorillas, and koalas. The 70-acre botanical garden across the river opened June 10, 1995, adding several thousand plant species to the site's offerings. In 2019, the zoo's elephants were relocated from the Ndoki Forest area, which was subsequently redeveloped to host Southern white rhinos. In December 2023, county officials approved a roughly $80 million investment plan, called "Bridge to the Wild," to fund further species additions and facility upgrades.

Visitors can explore zoo exhibits including the African Plains, the Aquarium Reptile Complex, the Ndoki Forest (now home to rhinos), a birdhouse with multiple penguin species, and Sea Lion Landing, along with animal demonstrations throughout the day. The Saluda Skyride, an aerial gondola, connects the zoo to the 70-acre botanical garden across the Saluda River. Riverbanks Backstage offers behind-the-scenes animal-care experiences, and a live-streamed Penguin Cam lets visitors and remote viewers watch penguin exhibits. Waterfall Junction includes splash-zone play areas for younger visitors, and the zoo also runs camps, education programs, and private event hosting.

The African Plains exhibit features giraffes, zebras, and ostriches in a savanna-style setting. The Aquarium Reptile Complex includes Pacific coral reef displays. The Birdhouse showcases king, rockhopper, and gentoo penguins. Sea Lion Landing, modeled after San Francisco's Pier 39, and the 70-acre botanical garden with more than 4,200 plant species across the river round out the major visitor destinations on site.

Riverbanks Zoo & Garden is located at 500 Wildlife Parkway in Columbia, easily reached by car from downtown Columbia and via nearby interstate connections. Columbia Metropolitan Airport is the closest airport with commercial service; from there, a rental car or rideshare is the practical way to reach the zoo.

As of research, general hours were 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, with closures on Thanksgiving and Christmas; confirm current hours on riverbanks.org, since seasonal variations may apply.

As of research, online admission was $27.95 for adults (ages 13-61), $24.95 for children (2-12), $25.95 for seniors (62+) and military, and free for children under 2; ticket-window prices were $3 higher per ticket ($30.95 adult, $27.95 child, $28.95 senior/military). Parking was $3 online or $6 at the gate. Confirm current pricing on riverbanks.org before visiting, since online purchase offers discounted rates.

Most visitors plan for a half-day to a full day to see both the zoo exhibits and cross the Saluda Skyride to the botanical garden.

Downtown Columbia, a short drive from the zoo, offers a range of hotel chains and a growing number of boutique properties, along with additional options near the University of South Carolina campus. West Columbia, directly adjacent, has more limited but convenient lodging closer to the zoo's garden side.

The zoo has its own on-site dining/concessions for visitors staying within the park. Downtown Columbia, a short drive away, offers a broad range of restaurants reflecting the city's role as the state capital and home to a large university population.

Downtown Columbia's attractions, including the South Carolina State House and the University of South Carolina campus, are a short drive from the zoo. The Saluda River corridor itself, connecting the zoo and garden, is a scenic feature in its own right.

Columbia Metropolitan Airport is the closest airport with commercial service, a short drive from the zoo; a car or rideshare is the practical way to reach and move around the site, since it sits outside the immediate downtown core.

As with any large outdoor attraction, sun protection, water, and comfortable walking shoes are worth planning for, especially in Columbia's hot, humid summers. Follow posted signage around animal exhibits and the Saluda Skyride gondola for safety guidance. For any emergency, dial 911.

Sunscreen, a hat, and a refillable water bottle are useful for a day spent largely outdoors. A stroller or comfortable footwear helps with the distance between the zoo and garden sides of the property, and a camera is popular for photographing the animal exhibits and gardens.

Buying tickets online in advance saves money compared to ticket-window pricing and includes free parking, per the zoo's own visitor information. Checking for seasonal promotions, such as Free Fridays for local county residents in January and February, or Toucan Tuesdays in summer, can add value for repeat or budget-conscious visitors. Riding the Saluda Skyride is a scenic way to move between the zoo and garden sides rather than walking the connecting route.

Dial 911 for any emergency. Riverbanks Zoo & Garden's general visitor line is 803.779.8717, per the official site.

Riverbanks Zoo & Garden - https://www.riverbanks.org

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.