We have enjoyed multiple trips to the Riverbanks Zoo and Botanical Garden in Columbia, SC. The diversity of the animals is exciting, and there are multiple programs for students and for families. In the "off" season, some of the food vendors and other attractions may be closed (i.e. the train) so be sure to check in advance if there is... more

I am a college student who took three kids- 8, 9, and 13 year olds- to the Riverbanks Zoo for a day trip last week. Every one of us absolutely loved it, and agreed it was worth the 3 hour drive each way. Much to my excitement, the zoo was extremely affordable: the entrance prices were excellent and the attractions... more

I live nearby, and keep a season pass to this Zoo. I have loved it for many years, even though the zoo keeps changing...I saw the original gorillas on loan from the Chicago Zoo; I had seen them before, in Chicago! The gorilla exhibit is always popular. There aren't any polar bears anymore, but there are 2 grizzlies (brothers) on... more

We visited the Zoo this past Saturday. We spent about 4 hours and saw almost everything in the Zoo. We did not venture in to the Gardens. There were 4 adults and 1 child in our group and he wasn't going to stand (or walk) for the gardens. The zoo was really nice and I would recommend getting there when... more

Great zoo to visit while in Columbia. The animal exhibits were very interesting and covered a wide variety of habitats and types of animals. Loved the giraffe and lorikeet feeding! Beautiful grounds to explore and enjoy! more

What a great zoo, combined with wonderful gardens. Very user friendly. We have seen bigger, but the quality is very high at Riverbanks. more

We had a great time at the zoo. Lots of interesting animals and exhibits. Many of the animals were out and easily visible during the late afternoon and early evening. Definitely an all day trip. Possibly two visits, if you want to see both the zoo and the gardens. The only downsides were limited food options and a crowded gift... more

The zoo was beautiful, clean and the animals were on their game! I recommend this zoo for a nice afternoon with the family. It is not too big that you can't do it in a few hours, easpecially if you have small children and cannot walk all day. The garden is gorgeous and a must see!! more

I would definately give this zoo an above average rating, and an excellent rating for a zoo in a smaller-sized city. We stopped by the zoo on an unusually warm day in December (set the record actually). The zoo had very few visitors (due to it being midweek and December of course) and was very easy to navigate. The enclosures... more