About Riverbanks Zoo & Garden

Wild & farm animals, plus gardens. Zoo with African & Australian animals, reptile galleries, a bird house, a farm & botanical gardens.

💬 What Parents 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.

Hours