Riverbanks Zoo and Garden is located at:

500 Wildlife Parkway
Columbia, SC 29202
Voice: 80.-779-8717
Web Site: www.riverbanks.org

Riverbanks Zoo is a small zoo with more than 2000 animals for you to see and enjoy. The Beautiful natural habitat exhibits are not large. The animals are upclose and easy for all to see. There are not large expanses to go from one animal to the next. They are spaced closely so walking around this zoo is easy for youngsters and couch potatoes too!

The animals of the zoo will thrill and delight everyone. The Koala bears are adorable. The apes and monkeys playing around will enthrall the youngsters. Of course the elephants, giraffes, and zebras on the African Plains are always a favorite just like the lions and tigers. Enjoy the sea lions swimming and playing. The penguins will put on a show in the birdhouse as you will also see many more beautiful and exotic birds.

The zoo is very interactive as well. There are opportunities to feed some of the animals. Grab some nectar and have the colorful lorikeets land on your arm and eat out of your hand. Grab some feed and have the giraffe eating out of your hand as well. Presentations throughout the day with different animals also allow you to learn more about them.

The Aquarium and Reptile complex has many interesting species. There are several varieties of snakes, lizards, turtles, and frogs. The highlight in the aquarium is the 50,000 gallon tropical tank. How many fish can you identify? There is also some beautiful and very colorful coral.

Take the free tram and cross the river to the garden. There are many beautiful groupings to see. Just a few of the many beautiful flowers you can find are the Jananese Rose which has beautiful golden-yellow flowers, the Old Blush Rose with its pink blooms, and the Chinese Snowball Viburnum that grows 15 feet and has large white blooms.

KAT'S VIEW