Zoos

Riverbanks Zoo & Garden

Name: Riverbanks Zoo & Garden
Address: 500 Wildlife Pkwy, Columbia, SC 29210, Columbia, SC, US
Telephone: (803) 779-8717
Rating: 4.7

★★★★☆ 4.7 (22650 reviews)

📍 500 Wildlife Pkwy, Columbia, SC 29210

📞 (803) 779-8717

🌐 www.riverbanks.org

Visit Website 📍 Get Directions

🕐 Hours

Monday	9 AM–5 PM
Tuesday	9 AM–5 PM
Wednesday	9 AM–5 PM
Thursday	9 AM–5 PM
Friday	9 AM–5 PM
Saturday	9 AM–5 PM
Sunday	9 AM–5 PM

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About Riverbanks Zoo & Garden

Wild & farm animals, plus gardens. Zoo with African & Australian animals, reptile galleries, a bird house, a farm & botanical gardens. Riverbanks Zoo & Garden features a daily penguin live stream accessible from 9am–5pm, allowing remote visitors to observe penguin behavior in real-time. Rated 4.7 out of 5 stars by 22,650 visitors.

Quick Facts

Type: Zoo
Location: Columbia, South Carolina
Best For: All ages
Highlights: Penguin live stream, Saluda Skyride, splash zones, backstage animal encounters
Special Features: Conservation programs, aerial skyride, interactive splash zones

💡 Did You Know?

⭐Riverbanks Zoo & Garden features a daily penguin live stream accessible from 9am–5pm, allowing remote visitors to observe penguin behavior in real-time
⭐The zoo operates a Riverbanks Backstage program that provides visitors with behind-the-scenes access to animal care areas and conservation education experiences
⭐The venue offers interactive animal encounters including giraffe feeding experiences, which generated 217 mentions in visitor reviews
⭐Riverbanks Zoo & Garden maintains a 4.7-star rating across 22,650 reviews, indicating exceptional visitor satisfaction and consistent quality
⭐The zoo features a Saluda Skyride aerial adventure attraction combined with splash zones and ropes course activities, creating a multi-activity experience beyond traditional zoo exhibits

💬 What Visitors Say

💬Plan for a full day experience and wear comfortable walking shoes — the zoo is beautifully laid out but expansive with plenty of grounds to cover. Visitors consistently mention the walkability and gardens as major highlights, so budget 4-6 hours minimum.
💬Take advantage of Free Fridays in January for local residents — this is a generous community offering that significantly reduces cost for families planning winter visits.
💡Start with the popular interactive experiences like Giraffe Feeding and the Carousel Ice Cream Shop early in your visit, as these attractions are heavily mentioned and likely have peak times. Also check the Penguin live stream schedule (9am-5pm daily) to time your visit to the penguin exhibit.
💡Visit the Splash Pad during summer months (open 9am-4:30pm daily) to cool off, and take advantage of shaded pathways throughout the zoo — reviewers specifically praise the garden areas and tree coverage as making hot weather visits more comfortable.
💡Explore the Riverbanks Backstage experience to deepen learning about animal care and conservation efforts — this insider access complements the main exhibits and aligns with the zoo's educational mission highlighted in visitor reviews.