Skip to Content

Riverbanks Zoo and Garden

This post may contain affiliate links. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. All opinions remain my own.

My family loves going to the Zoo. We spend hours walking around looking at all the different displays. Riverbanks feels like the perfectly-sized zoo. We went to see the holiday light display and back the next morning to see the zoo. We had a great time each visit. The Zoo has many attractions and experiences. The grounds were well maintained. We found the staff very friendly and informative. This is a wonderful day trip for the young and the young-at-heart! There are many attractions for everyone to see. There are various animals to observe at the zoo, but I highly recommend taking the tram over to the Botanical Gardens! The Botanical Gardens is awesome!

The zoo is always an exciting place to visit! It is an opportunity for the young and old to see a great variety of animals in both indoor and outdoor exhibits. There is a petting zoo  and a small train ride, to give tired parents a break from the long walk.  There are a variety of food/snack bars and bathrooms are relatively close to the path of viewing the animals.

The exhibits are beautifully designed and the overall layout of the zoo is easy to navigate, with something of interest around every bend in the well-maintained pathways. The zoo also hosts special events after hours throughout the year such as Boo at the Zoo around Halloween, the Lights Before Christmas during the Christmas Season, concerts at the botanical garden amphitheater, wine tasting, and a beer tasting (Brew at the Zoo) to name a few.

I love walking around with my husband and children, looking at all the light displays. They are so beautiful. The Zoo shines with nearly one million twinkling lights and countless animated images representing some of Riverbanks’ most loveable residents. Take your photo with Santa, roast marshmallows and sip hot cocoa at the Jingle Bell Bonfire.

 
We love this Zoo and everything it has to offer, it is great for the young and old.
 
Riverbanks Zoo and Garden is home to more than 2,000 animals that represent more than 350 species from around the world. The long time family members of Riverbanks Zoo include Siberian Tigers, gorillas, African Lions and Giant Elephants! The Riverbanks Zoo family is very large and it continues to grow each and every year!
 
 As you journey from the Pacific Coral, to the African Plains, to the Australian Outback – the entire family is sure to be intrigued by these amazing creatures! Learn about their natural habitat as you watch and observe the animals go about their daily routines! If you time it correctly, you may even get your chance to feed the giraffes! These spectacular creatures that call Riverbanks Zoo and Gardens their home are ready and waiting to interact with you, your family and friends!
 
In addition, Riverbanks Zoo and Garden is home to over 4,200 species of native and exotic plants! Take the free tram from the Zoo and stroll through 70 acres of beautiful scenery. These magnificent colors and unique plant structures are broken down into five themed gardens including an Old Rose Garden and a Walled Garden.
 

Between the animal demonstrations, attractions, beautiful gardens and delicious snacks, a trip to Riverbanks Zoo can turn in to a full day adventure for Columbia locals and tourists alike! Why not make your trip to the Zoo a weekend getaway for the entire family? Shopping, great local restaurants and family entertainment await you! Visit Columbia’s number one tourist attraction today!

 
Please Visit Riverbanks Zoo and Garden Website, and check out what they have going on.
 
 

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Carrie

Wednesday 17th of July 2013

This sounds like a lot of fun. We are headed to South Carolina in a few weeks and this just might be a must see on our trip!

Minta

Sunday 16th of December 2012

Very pretty, We keep wanting to see the lights at our zoo but it has just been sooo cold..

Darci Bean

Sunday 16th of December 2012

Wow great pictures of the zoo animals and I absolutely LOVE the Christmas lights. I wish we had something around here like that to enjoy!

Dawn Wittenhagen

Saturday 15th of December 2012

the only zoo ive ever been to was the tampa zoo..My son LOVE LOVE LOVE Monkeys!! We have a zoo here in hilo hawaii and its FREE but yet ive yet to go there and ive lived here 5 yrs!! lol somethings not right with that huh! lol

bonnie holt

Saturday 15th of December 2012

Love the zoo I cant wait to take my son. I hope i get as good as pictures as you did. These are great and you have a great zoo too

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.