Reviews of Riverbanks Zoo and Garden (Zoo)

Gregory Ross

This is a seriously impressive zoo! This is the most modern and up to date zoos I have been to. The dinosaur exhibit is absolutely amazing! There are less expensive zoos but they are nothing compared to Riverbanks Zoo! A great learning experience!

Megan Thayer

Had an awesome experience at the zoo! It was laid out well, and everyone enjoyed the exhibits. They also had a lot of inside things to get out of the heat. It was pretty easy getting around with the stroller, too. Would definitely recommend this!

Conrad Campbell

Good news first; very clean park. Exceptional bathrooms, look and smell clean. Not overly expensive admittance fee. Very small enclosures which make the animals seem closer... when they are actually outside. Which brings me to the bad news; after 3 PM most of the animals are shuffled away. No elephants, kangaroos, zebra to name a few I can remember. Also every spot serving food will close before 2 PM, except one restaurant. By 4 PM it's a ghost town and the park doesn't close for another hour. My 2 year old was sitting at a table in front of "the COOP" eating Dip N Dots. An employee (janitor/maintenance) came up and started cleaning the table we were sitting at and moved my wife's water out of the way. He then lowered the umbrella to the closed position. Extremely rude and very unwelcoming. Overall we enjoyed the day and appreciate what the zoo does for the animals and ecological awareness, but they could do better with guests.

Jennifer Bjorn-Muellner

Lovely medium sized zoo. The gardens are amazing. Clean, fantastic staff, and lots of fun for kids of all ages. Purchase the activity wrist bands if you have children, they are well worth it. The animals are most active right as the park opens and closes. The restaurant has healthy options, but no changing table for babies in the restroom. That was our one frustration all day. Loved the zoo!

Ashley Stukes

Absolutely love this place! Awesome exhibits! Food is always good at the restaurants and stands! The Waterfall Junction at the Garden is a blast for little ones! Hiked the trail up and down and beautiful scenery! Although we did get to see a snake up close and personal,not by choice but hey, it is a zoo! Definitely more visits to come with our daughter!

Melody Rush

A+ A+ A+ Amazing zoo! I've lived here all my life within 10 miles of the zoo and visit several times a year. It NEVER gets old. They are constantly adding and changing things up so you see something new every time. The staff and crew are great...always pleasant and polite. The grounds, restaurants and restrooms are always immaculate. Lots of food, drink and snack choices. A nice gift shop for souvenirs. For our convenience, there are strollers and handicap carts for rent. There are lots of indoor activities for rainy days or our FAMOUSLY HOT days. The botanical gardens and splash pad is a huge hit on a summer day. There is a tram to take you from one side of the zoo to the other or you can hike it. Honestly, I cannot think of a single negative thing to say.

Michele Farwell

This was one of the most fabulous zoo experiences we have ever had as a family. There was something for everyone. We spent the entire day there and no one got bored, cranky, or complained. Thank you for that fabulous experience.

Marilyn Richardson

So much for the kids and adults to see and do . Very nice place . A must do over and over

Iron 19

One of the best zoo's the memberships are worth it. We used ours so much that the price of admission if we didn't have it would be 10 times higher than the package we got.

Barbara and Bill Reimer

Wonderful zoo! Perfect for children of all ages. Get a membership because you will want to go back!

SINDA KRUGER

A wonderful experience. The animal crews and park associates were knowledgeable and friendly, and the zoo was super clean. The attractions such as the carousel, train, and petting zoo were very affordable, as was the entrance.

Patrick Tribbey

We took our two youngest grand children and really enjoyed our time with them. Everything was great until a thunder/lightening storm moved into the area. Of course, management shut everything down everyone had to leave. All four of us got a little wet ---- not soaked, but a bath towel would have helped. :) A lot has changed in over the years since my wife & I last visited some years ago. This is a great place to visit for the young ones. They will be fascinated and awed at all of the animals, as the dolphins swim around along with other marine life. Go ahead, take the kids and enjoy the zoo! Be sure to take sunscreen, include an umbrella, too!! (07/08/19) P.S. Be sure to check the weather forecast, too!

Bryanna Velazquez

Animals are super close. Staff is friendly and helpful. Love all the new exhibits and easy viewing areas.

Ashley Varnum

Nice place. Good sized too. Lots of animals and statues scattered throughout the park for pic opportunities. Gift shop was WAY over priced, even by zoo standards.

latoya robinson

First time I have been to the zoo in a while and actually was able to see all of the advertised animals. I loved how close the exhibits were to the viewing areas. The prices at the restaurants and for the extra rides and activities were very reasonable as well.

Eric Reed

This is a very well kept and clean zoo with an extensive variety of animals and exhibits. You can spend most of the day there looking at the exhibits and attending the scheduled events. You can also walk across the river bridge and they have trams that will take you up the hill to the gardens and a small water park for the kids.

Mark June

Impressed....great exhibits, clean, nice informative staff. Very hot out but plenty of indoor exhibits. Son loved the ropes course and Dino exhibit.

Helen Boyd

My girls love the zoo! We are here once a week. There are enough activities that they don't get bored. The zoo pass is definitely worth every penny.

The Extroverted introvert

Love going here with the family. We are members and go often. We enjoy the botanical gardens, the splash pad and all the activities with the kids that would cost non members additional fees, but are included with our membership. However the high wire and zip line cost a little extra but is discounted for members. I highly recommend becoming a member if you want to go more than once a year. The cost of one day separately for my family with the fees for the events would pay for an annual membership. It is so worth it! There are several new babies this year that are a joy to watch!! Cool off at the end at the splash pad on those hot and sticky SC days!

Rob

Clean and quiet. A very well maintained an run zoo. We spent a few hours there and it was wonderful

Christina Smith

I enjoy the zoo. My concern was towards the elephants. They looked a bit thin. Their area was not clean. Some visitors were throwing food into their area. Trash cans were over full. Very low water flow.

Erinn Drake

We really love bringing the kids here, and it's fun for the adults, too. Just be sure to check the times that you come. The Google feature that tells you how busy a place is can be very helpful here. Come at the wrong time, and you won't be able to get around well. Also, be prepared to spend a bit if you want to buy food and drink. But this is a great zoo, pretty big with lots of exhibits. I really like the petting zoo/farm area with the train. My kids never seem to get tired of coming here.

Nathan Voisine

Best zoo I've been to, and they have a top tier garden. I really enjoy going here. My wife and I go a few times a year. Well worth the trip!

Elias Jaffa

If you live close by and have small kids, definitely get the unlimited pass for the year. Makes it a no-brainer to just pop in for an hour and see the penguins or whatever else on the way home. Pretty small for a zoo in a city this size, but well-maintained and the staff are generally very engaging.

Madi Hankinson

Great park and gorgeous botanical gardens. Park near the botanical gardens for easy parking and take the tram to the main park. Gorgeous walking bridge from the botanical garden side to zoo side over the river. Lots of animals to see here. Very close views of all the animals. Kangaroo walk through is awesome and the kids play area is perfect for little ones

Charles Moore

Very nice zoo with a great variety of animals. As with most older zoo's many of the enclosures are on the smaller side. More information about the individual animals would be awesome (ie names, ages, history). Worth visiting again next time I am in Columbia.

David Kelege

A nice place with friendly and informative staff. The exhibits are well put together. The ticket costs would be more reasonable if everything inside wasn't overpriced. Would be much better if they added more water fountains instead of charging almost $4 for water.

Gregory Ross

This is a seriously impressive zoo! This is the most modern and up to date zoos I have been to. The dinosaur exhibit is absolutely amazing! There are less expensive zoos but they are nothing compared to Riverbanks Zoo! A great learning experience!

Megan Thayer

Had an awesome experience at the zoo! It was laid out well, and everyone enjoyed the exhibits. They also had a lot of inside things to get out of the heat. It was pretty easy getting around with the stroller, too. Would definitely recommend this!

George Levitt

Went to the zoo for my granddaughter's birthday she loved the Gorillaz the giraffes and the llamas. All around a good place to take the family to have fun

Beau Corder

Great place, kids loved it. All of the animals were out and active. Splash pad was perfect for the kids to play while us parents relaxed and had a cold one. Parking was great, very close to the gate.

Megan Goodwin

Always a wonderful experience for all ages. Don't have to be a kid to have a great time at this zoo. Amazing staff and amazing zoo.

Renee Hall

The zoo was nice, clean and the vegetation is beautiful. The animals seemed sad but that may just be me because I don't like them being out of their natural habitat. I know they probably wouldn't survive in the wild but it still bothers me. God's creatures are beautiful. The gardens/water park area was awesome!

Justin Pruett

This is the best zoo I've ever been to. It's almost like an amusement park. It took four times of going there before I saw everything. And I still have not done everything there. We have a really cool zip line. Make sure you make it to the gardens

Richard Casselman

This is an extremely high quality facility. The animals are cared for very well. You will never be disappointed with the amount of things there are to do. My favorite exhibit is the aquarium and the penguins. This is zoo is a must visit location in Columbia. It would even be worth it to travel in just for this experience.

Lisa Heinrich - Estabrook

Very nice zoo. The children will love it. Also has zip line and adult climbing area.

DeAnna Hoyt-Zoeller

Great zoo! We use our membership often and the kids love the rock wall and carousel. Nice weekend activity. Splash pad is great on hot days too.

David Cascante

Riverbanks Zoo is easily walkable and stroller/wheelchair accessible for most (if not all) areas of the park. The best time to go is during the weekdays as soon as the gates open (this is especially true when school is in and most kids are in class). The staff has always been very pleasant, helpful, and knowledgeable about the variety of animal life. If you plan on going more than twice in a year, I'd heavily advise you to consider getting a family pass and enjoying the benefits of being a member (with perks).

Frankie Rodriguez

We had a Blast!! Definitely one of my families favorite spots to spend time. Friendly and courteous staff that were ready and willing to assist.

Steven Hundley

Really cool zoo. It's a bit pricey, but very clean and well maintained. My family loved it. We will definitely be back.

Corey Merritt

My kids had a great time. Not way too overpriced but on the slightly more expensive side. Great experience.

pun dah

It's a great zoo with a good number of animals and lots of educational opportunities. Lots of babies, like two young gorillas However, it's pricey, and upcharges apply to most of the fun...like feeding giraffes. Early and overcast is the best summer day to go. Food portions are generous so can save a little by sharing.

Gil Holmes

Good place to walk around and see some animals you won't see otherwise. Shows are educational and fun.

Alexander Znaiden

They have a lot of great animals- gorillas, lions, tigers, koala, walrus, sea lions, lemur, flamingos, elephant, giraffe etc. The zoo is huge and even has a garden with play activities for kids. All the staff were friendly. Price is reasonable.

Joshua Derrick

The best zoo I have ever been to. So much fun for everyone.

Roberta Mazyck

Awesome all the way around. Had such a great day.. Dinosaur Exhibit was really fun, my grandson loved it.

Michaela Pinapfel

Personally I love going to Riverbanks Zoo and Garden just to take photos of the animals and plants. I use my Samsung Galaxy S9+ and do some photo editing if I see it to be necessary, but in most cases I don't edit. I love the variety of animals that the zoo now has, but I am sad to see the elephants take a vacation. I've watched the zoo make so many changes and improvements for almost 8 years now, and it still amazes me with what they have gotten done in such a short amount of time. I will say I have become a little flustered with how they are continuously raising their prices, but I know they have to do this in order to continue with their remodeling, and because of the remodels they have already made. One of my favorite recent remodels is the animal farm habitat. The zoo is a great experience for all ages and would recommend it to anyone!

Cchaddie Fairchilds

This is one of the best restaurants I've been to. The food is fenomenal and the service is even better. The native american infusion of the restaurant makes the experience and every taste a unique experience. I was completely amazed at how much hands-on activities they have throughout the center. What is your interest? They probably have a room for that!

John Carrigg

The Riverbanks Zoo is one of the top attractions in the Columbia area. It is really underused by many local residents. It is a wonderful place to visit to just relax and play with the animals. Give it a try. Get a membership and save money too.

Conrad Campbell

Good news first; very clean park. Exceptional bathrooms, look and smell clean. Not overly expensive admittance fee. Very small enclosures which make the animals seem closer... when they are actually outside. Which brings me to the bad news; after 3 PM most of the animals are shuffled away. No elephants, kangaroos, zebra to name a few I can remember. Also every spot serving food will close before 2 PM, except one restaurant. By 4 PM it's a ghost town and the park doesn't close for another hour. My 2 year old was sitting at a table in front of "the COOP" eating Dip N Dots. An employee (janitor/maintenance) came up and started cleaning the table we were sitting at and moved my wife's water out of the way. He then lowered the umbrella to the closed position. Extremely rude and very unwelcoming. Overall we enjoyed the day and appreciate what the zoo does for the animals and ecological awareness, but they could do better with guests.

Jessica Heppler

Zoo is always a pleasant experience but once you visit once, theres really no point in returning. Animals dont seem very active so they need better stimulation and room. I love the new petting zoo, i hope they bring in different animals at some point. I only just learned of the zip line so they should make that more prominent to attraction.

T Smith

It's a good zoo. I liked the combination of zoo and gardens.

Marcia Werner

Pretty good zoo if the animals would have been out. May have been too hot but mostly just looking at empty cages. Keep in mind that the Admission price is only to get in the gates, LOTS of the exhibits require you to pay again to go in them. Make sure you bring an empty water bottle in because the bottled water is like $3 but there are water filler fountains throughout the zoo.

Eric Bryson

The place was very small and went through it all in 2 hours. The kids liked it, but some of the animals weren't out when they opened. Not a bad zoo, but don't have to high of expectations

Matt Porter

Fantastic zoo! Went with young nieces and nephews. Great experience for them!

Cynthia Tate

As usual, food is always high at zoos, but it is so fun! They were crazy busy the day we went but otherwise we had fun. We are planning to take a trip down next week! They have so many animals and a nice reptile and aquarium rooms.

Kitty King

It was crowded in the summer, but still enjoyable. Not as crowded in october to February. The whole family enjoys visiting this zoo. Even when it rains, there are places to go and things to do while u wait it out. The staff are always wonderful! I love visiting zoo's when we travel but this one is by far the best in the south east.

Elizabeth Walton

Everything was very clean and well-maintained. The animals looked happy. There were trees, plants, and overhangs everywhere, making it a nice shady walk. Food and gift shop prices were reasonable. Staff was friendly. Even the map was well thought out with pictures that my 4yo could understand. Beautiful zoo. We will be returning.

Collin Smith

Beautiful botanical garden, play area for kids that made me want to play, cool events, educational opportunities, a refreshing woodland trail, and excellent zoo. I couldn't be more pleased with my visit. Best $20 I've spent in a long time!

Katelyn Angel

Best zoo ever! Absolutely worth getting a membership. Kids of all ages will love it, very inclusive and so many activities are available!

Rachel Mullins

We love this zoo! The new additions help keep it fresh each time. We enjoyed the petting zoo the last time we went. We tried to spend a part of our visits at the water area in the garden area. We bought the family explorer season pass and my children were able to enjoy feeding the giraffes and birds, riding the carousel and ponies when they had them, climbing the rock wall, all for no additional cost each visit. It was all included with the wrist band they received every visit.

Shakiyla Chandler

Most of the time, all the animals are out. My son loved it. I just don't like that they close at 5 every day.

Linda Monroig

For a small zoo its great, great price, friendly staff, kids love it plus they have a lil park inside, rock climbing, train, food, carousel. I deff recommend plus it is 1 hour and a half from Augusta so is the nearest zoo.

Un Known

This Zoo is pretty awesome for the size the place is great. It’s also reasonably priced had an amazing time with the with. She had a great time so great she cried when she fed the giraffes so good experience over all.

Esmeralda Isidro Garcia

Riverbank Zoo,is an AMAZING place to go with your family! Me and my family had a GREAT time,we enjoy Riverbank zoo and hope to come back!

Bruce Tillman

I have always loved the Zoo and being a member. It's a great place to take your kids and grandkids.

Travisjw

The new water area is great for the kids when it’s open. This is a nice place that a family could easily spend hours on a Saturday. Get there early for parking.

Karl Heinmiller

One of the best zoos in America. And if you're a local, the membership is well worth it. Especially for the discounts on tickets to special events, like Brew at the Zoo

Carmen Malsbury

Nice, clean zoo. Plenty of green around so you don't feel the hot weather as much. Good food

Marina Ponomareva Kerouac

Always a great time when we go. From the waterfall junction, to tree house, to giant Legos... The trail walk. The carousel. Great way to wear out the kiddo!

Daniel Leas

Great time despite the heat. Loved seeing the baby gorillas! Having an explorer pass really helped the enjoyment factor and not having to worry about nickel and dime fees during the visit.

Coralisa Ford

This was our first time at the zoo and we absolutely loved it! We loved that it was so clean and we were able to see all of the animals! My son enjoyed feeding the giraffe!

Erynn Newman

Exhibits are nice and well-maintained. Entrance fee is a little high, and then every activity once inside costs more. We had a good time, but I'm not sure it was really worth the price of admission. Sealion show was really disappointing. It was just Sealions doing a couple of tricks in the background while someone told us some facts into a microphone. Quite a few exhibits were closed. There is lots of shade and places to sit and rest if you need them.

K H

Normally a little bothered by animals in captivity. But Riverbanks Zoo displays a true dedication to the happiness and safety of the animals as well as education and conservation. Very clean and well laid out. Was impressed that sale of merch was not super “in your face.” Spent 6 hours there with a 5 yo and a 2 yo and there were no tears the entire time. And they did leave with adorable souvenirs at a reasonable price.

Lydia Porter

Riverbanks Zoo is a wonderful place to visit. Beautiful Gardens , excellent playground for small kids, and great fun for teens as well. We spent 4 hours there and didn't get to do everything. Zoo membership is well worth it if you can make it to the zoo just twice it will have paid for itself. Don't forget the Ropes course to run the excess energy out of the kids.

Jonathan Roberto

"Nice to see the animals." Hunter age 8. Easily walked zoo with good attractions and reasonably priced food with good portion sizes.

Aliaksei Palianski

This is very nice zoo if you are looking for small enough walk, shaded, well organized attraction for the whole family. A lot of expositions are either new or have been recently updated. There is also very nice splash zone for kids inside of the zoo. Kids love it.

Chandler Hill

Zoo was great they have many different animals, and it is laid well easy to find everything. Most of the animals were very active as we were there opening. The only animal not active was the tiger which was somewhat disappointing. However, seeing the baby gorillas and bear in the water made up for it

Tammy

Nice small town zoo. Variety of animals but mostly reptiles and fish. Small botanical gardens attached with a nice playground with water for the kids so everything in about an hour

joshua gervais

Great zoo! We've been to zoos from Florida to California, and this one was a gem! Stopped in on our roadtrip from Florida to NC. Kids loved it! Lion and penguin exhibit were the best! Animals were active throughout (which is unusual at mid day with the heat). Fun experience for us all :)

Nolita Candidate

We go here every week and everyone is always so nice... great place to go just needs more water stations

Dana Davidson

Amazing zoo. I went for their Christmas event. I felt extremely welcomed. The zoo feels "quaint" in a good way.

Snowflake Slayer

Overall had a great time with my daughter, wouldn't have traded it for the world. They could've offered more to do for free in my opinion, and I also noticed that quite a few of the exhibits only had one animal in them.

Chip Melton

I admit I am prejudice towards Riverbanks Zoo. I have been a member for over 35 years, but this is one of the best zoos in the nation. There is something for everyone. Riverbanks has a large and varied animal collection, beautiful gardens, attractions for the younger visitors, even a zip line and a small water park. You can stay all day and not do it all. Oh, and for the next four months Riverbanks even has robotic dinosaurs.

Olga Ozolina

Perfect place to spend weekend with family. Small enough to explore everything in one visit. But additional unexpected fees in some areas. Giraffe and parrot feeding worth that though)

Al Dirusso

For years I've heard that this place was a great zoo. I've been to a lot of zoo's. This one is near the bottom of my list. Very disappointing.

Joshua Griner

My family come here all the time. We have a year membership. Between the zoo, gardens, and waterfall junction there is always something to do here. Well worth the visit. If you haven't come for lights at the zoo during the winter, you have got to. So much fun for all ages.

The Zambony Pony

Awesome experience with my wife and 18 month old. There is a plethora of animal exhibits. There's also other small attractions such as wall climbing and a merry go round. My only complaint is that you need special credits, which cost extra, to enjoy the extras such as the feeding and petting, the wall climbing, and merry go round. The staff was very nice too.Other than that, it was a lot of fun!

Nirmal Krishnan

Riverbanks Zoo and Garden is excellent place for families and kids. Zoo was well maintained with good collection of animals. Garden with kids water splash and play areas are excellent too. At least required half a day to full day to cover both Zoo and Garden, so plan accordingly. Both Zoo and Garden closed sharp 5 PM.

Kitty King

It was crowded in the summer, but still enjoyable. Not as crowded in october to February. The whole family enjoys visiting this zoo. Even when it rains, there are places to go and things to do while u wait it out. The staff are always wonderful! I love visiting zoo's when we travel but this one is by far the best in the south east.

Crystal Storey

Love this Zoo! Plenty of cool down spots for those on the spectrum. Animals were well taken care of, and happy. Concessions and gifts were not outrageously priced. We will definitely travel again for this type of experience.

murlidhar kadam

Good place to visit with kids. If you are visiting 4 or more people then instead of buying general admission tickets for 4 buy 1 membership. That would give access to zoo throughout year for 1 person & 4 guest passes. Do visit garden , there is connecting bridge between zoo & garden. Once you cross bridge you need to get on free train which will take you to garden 7 - 10 min ride. Plan for full day trip. Good to start early in the morning.

Megan Worley

Riverbanks is never a disappointment. Everyone is super friendly and very knowledgeable about all the animals. It is a very great environment with really good food and honest pricing unlike many attractions of it's sort. We think it's the best zoo we have been to.

Kayeyet

I really enjoyed visiting this zoo. The exhibits were beautiful and designed to make observing the many animals easy. It was immaculate and well laid out. I'll definitely visit again. BTW: I also got a senior discount.

Kimberly Groscost

I love going to see all the animals and new attractions. They just added dinos! There is a baby gorilla and you cant forget to feed the giraffes!! They have a petting zoo and a little kids water park. The trail through the woods is a nice walk and they have zipline over the river

Dawn Cahn

We enjoyed the zoo. Lots of animals. Loved feeding the giraffes. Wish all animals had a partner. Some were single exhibits which is sad to me. But overall fun, educational and clean.

Amanda Reyes

We visited the Riverbanks Zoo while visiting family in South Carolina. I was very impressed with the well-designed habitats and the quantity of animals in the exhibits. The zoo was laid out well and it was easy to find our way around. I liked the pass for additional activities (like feeding giraffes, the rope walk, and carousel); it's so much better than having to pay for each exhibit separately or for paying for all of them, even if you don't want to do them.

Luke Hav

It's a great friendly environment. My daughter had a great time going for her birthday

Danielle C

There are better images for the zoo. This place is fantastic. But these images are from brew at the zoo 2019. What a fun time! The Lions were very active!

Erika McLeod

So, it's been quite a while since my boyfriend and I have been to Riverbanks - 6 years to be exact! And we weren't disappointed! It's great for kids, there isn't too much walking, and they have a petting zoo - as a matter of fact, there seemed to be a couple of camp field trips that were attending as well. In the six years since we've been, there's definitely been a face lift done to some exhibits and the main entrance. It looks amazing! They don't have some exhibits that other zoo's have, such as the polar bears or red wolves, but that doesn't lessen the experience - in fact I believe they have a couple of exhibits that help them stand out, for example the Kangaroo walk! All in all, we had a great time! Of course we'll go back, especially once my little one is older, and can appreciate all the wonderful animals that Riverbanks has to offer.

Eric Nichols

I love the zoo, great variety of animals to see. I really love the botanical gardens too, just absolutely stunning!!! You can buy manure from the zoo to use in your home garden! HOW COOL IS THAT??? who knew elephant poo worked so well for growing giant pumpkins!!

Amanda Bodelson

Staff was very nice and helpful. Clean and easy to get around. Petting zoo was fun and overall the animals were a lot of fun to see. It was nice to go to a zoo where you actually got to see the animals. Highly recommend. Took a almost 2, 3.5 and 6.5 year old and all if them had fun!

Jeffrey DeCristofaro

Awesome place! Love the animals, quite a large number of which are critically endangered, endangered and/or vulnerable according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)! We need to work to preserve and protect the beautiful creatures that inhabit this Earth along with their respective habitats, and this is a wonderful place to learn all about them!!!

Christian Moreno

We loved this place. Very exciting. I love nature. It hurts to see animals in cages. However they are better there than hunted by some wakos!

Chaya Matty Appel

Loved this place! Beautiful flamingos, and knowledgeable and helpful staff. Gonna have to get back to this place one time to check out the rest. Highly recommended. I a big zoo and animals fan and you don't come across such zoos every day.

Stephanie Cardino

Love this zoo. We're season pass holders. Lots of animals but not too far of a walk with young kids. Can feed the giraffes, ride a train or horse and splash in the water splash pad area. Several lunch options. We also enjoy their seasonal activities.

Grace Yvonne Stevenson

Best zoo. Better than Charleston aquarium. Go on the zip line.

Tanesha&Brian Dirks

It was okay. Was in town decided to visit with family. Kids enjoyed it alright but had more fun at other zoos. The kids water play area was their favorite part. Paid extra for dinosaur exhibit... Was not worth it. Need to do a better job at park upkeep. I ordered icees in the souvenir cups for my kids and it handed to me with dirty lids. Both lids on top and underneath you could clearly see dirt. When told, the girl working did give me new icees with clean lids but really. Family wasn't impressed enough to come back.

Julie Gail Jones

My first there was today! It was wonderful! Everyone was so nice! It was very nicely laid out and they have anything you could need to make it a wonderful day for anyone! I bought a 1 year membership! Cant wait to go back!! I would like to see about volunteering opportunities!

Mia

So many improvements!! Its great. We had a great lunch at the Tusk restaurant and enjoyed seeing all the new exhibits. Do take the trolley to the gardens. They made some changes there as well and it is well worth the visit. And just get a season pass.....you won't regret it.

Abbott Bray

Riverbanks is perfect! Many different exhibits. Plenty of air conditioned indoor spaces. Clean. Reasonable prices. Don't forget you can go across the river to the gardens, kids garden, splash pad, Dino dog, tree house and more. I've been to zoos across the east coast and Riverbanks is second to none. If you are a local, I highly suggest a membership!

Rob Ripley

Wonderful zoo! Affordable, lots of great animals, easy to get around, very informative. Visited for the afternoon and had a great time. Also has a Botanical gardens and water area you can visit as part of your admission. Would definitely recommend visiting if you enjoy animals, and learning.

James Ackerman

Our daughter absolutely loves the zoo! She says 10/10, she will make us bring her again (shes less than 2 years old). Honestly they do a great job at keeping it clean, and it really is a great place for families. We do love going here, and the membership price is reasonable!

Ron Jon

It's a good place to take the kids but kinda small and we wish it had more animals

Jennifer Sugg

Great Zoo, Wide variety of animals!!! Penguins, to Lions, to Flamingos and even Kuala Bears!!! Animal exhibits were clean, and built to look and feel like their natural habitat. Very clean Zoo. Only thing stopping from 5 star was there was NO PLACE to grab a snack. We needed a drink and snack pretty back and only could find 1 stand with pretzel and popcorn. Then some dipndots Ice Cream.

Mary Vawn

They are all about conservation, education and animal protection. They do everything possible to ensure the animals well being. Lots of fun things for kids of all ages.

Cecelia R.

Fun place! Many things to do while seeing the animals. The Zip the River was an awesome experience. Motivating fun staff with great customer service!

Kong Yang

Our first time visiting this zoo. Zoo need updating for more shady type areas. Most of the animals were hiding because it was too hot to even come. We did not see that many animal as we expected. But it okay because the splash pad made up for it. After a long hot humid day we ended it with splash pad and ice cream. Thanks for having us Riverbanks. Definitely going to visit again.

Jason Grajzl

Great layout to get lost in, never a dull moment. Aquarium was my favorite, plus the giraffes. I always feel bad for the great apes and even some of the monkeys. The tapir was cool, weird noses and huge feet. Kids were happy but def got worn out.

J Craig Floyd

The work and effort Riverbank's Zoo has put into the experience is wonderful. My family and I enjoy going often.

Daniel Fieldstone

I just hear nothing but good and good things about this Zoo. It must be gooder than good. It is probably great. One day I will make it to this zoo. Until then listening to peoples stories about how much they like it will have to suffice.

Marian Pizeno

My first time going to the zoo and taking the family... We had a blast!!! It was so much fun and we made memories that will last a lifetime!

Caroline Bisch

The most amazing zoo. It's always fun here.Aways see the animals out and about, hardly ever an empty exhibit. Clean and well kept.

Girish Yajnik

Very well organized zoo in this area. Try to get there earlier in the morning to get to see animals and birds when they are fresh. Catch the feeding times to get to learn more about natural habits. Educational for young children.

Tiffany Tursi

The staff is super friendly and the animals are so cute. They even have a walk through with the KANGAROOS. Yes you read this right you can walk in the same area as the KANGAROOS. It was absolutely amazing. The forat thing you see when you walk in are the sea lions.

Pewter7

First time attending Boo at the Zoo. Had a wonderful time! All the staff were very friendly and welcoming. They gave us lots of candy and treats. The decorations were very well done, and we were able to view the dinosaur exhibit for free - very impressive seeing these magnificent creatures up close, and hearing them roar!

STEVEN N. L.

My family and I loved this place!!! Very well maintained, employees are very nice and the extras are very inexpensive!!! $2.00 for Mary go round, $2.00 dollars to feed Giraffes and .25 cents to feed goats/sheeps... Also has a garden area and water park for kids... very nice!!! Small aquarium too! I really enjoyed this place.

Janet Carlton

I loved this because I got to go see all of these beautiful animals

Dries Debecker

Couldn’t help the feeling that some enclosure would be better off closed down to increase space for other animals. Very clean and friendly staff, but again I would prefer to have a lower variety of animals in larger groups and or enclosures

Max Falcon

Fantastic zoo. Not to big. Great place to spend the day, but it doesn't have to take the whole day.

Jimmy Oglesby

I came here with my daughter in a field trip. The zoo was nicely maintained and had a fairly large selection of animals. There was knowledgeable staff in the park that were happy to interact with guests to share what they know about the animals under their care. Several choices for concessions inside the zoo and a place to picnic outside. Worth a visit if you happen to be in the area.

Britty Talbert

This is my favorite place to go. Everyone is extremely friendly and more than happy to help people learn. They also have a good bit of pokestops.

Rai Burns

Loved this place! Took our newborn there and was amazed! Although 5 stars because we couldn’t find most animals. Most exhibits were closed or reconstructing. It was pretty small but definitely enough for smaller children! I did like the rope course in the middle and the petting zoo/farm. Once our little one gets older this is going to be amazing for her! I’d definitely recommend anyone to visit!

Naticia Dempsey Zocca

This is a great zoo with a large variety of animals. My family visited on one of the hottest days of the year, so we were exhausted by the end. However, we had a great time. We would've loved to have more non-dairy frozen treat options. We were also a little disappointed with the paid wristband plan, which basically includes all the kid activities. Nevertheless, I do recommend visiting this sweet zoo. Make sure to bring extra money for the gift shop, which has really cute items for sale!

Lyndsey Beecham

Love it! It's a smaller zoo, yet all the animals seem so very happy and active. The keepers are very informative and have no issues with answering any questions you may have. Highly recommend this zoo!!!

Michelle D.

always fun and hot at the zoo. but it does cost. its a special once or twice a year event for us.

Jessica Oneal

Great zoo! My first visit. I heard it was nice and I wasn't disappointed. Lots of indoor options for a reprieve from the blazing southern sun and heat. Nice views of the animals and options for "interaction." Will definitely return to do more of the experiences.

Zak Kuhn

We love this zoo! It is perfect for families with kids. The whole zoo is very nicely shaded and there isn't a ton of walking to see everything. All the animals could be easily seen from the viewing areas and the staff was very friendly and knowledgeable. There is also a very nice splash pad and kid area across the river at the gardens. That is definitely worth the walk over. The zoo is also very accessible to those in wheel chairs. My mom is disabled and was able to ride her scooter all day without any issues.

Austin Beckman

Visited family in the area and decided a nice day out at the zoo would be fun. The staff at the Zoo are extremely helpful, we had a party member with some major health issues, and the staff there helped us so much with mobility and accessibility. We spent almost all afternoon enjoying ourselves, the park is extremely well maintained. The price of entry was fair. I don't feel like our experience was a a waste of time or money, would definitely come back on a weekend for a family trip, 10/10.

Richard Erznoznik

Excellent zoo and a great Dinosaur exhibit until Oct 31. The place is clean and neat. 6th trip here for me

Candra Tyler

Great zoological park with many things to do and see. It's in Columbia so it's always hot it seems. Bring water and sunscreen. I feel that the park should be open a little later as many visitors travel a ways to visit. One of my family's favorite places... we have 3 kids various ages that all enjoy it, even the teenager!

Jeff DiPane

Great exhibits that are well set up. Almost makes it feel like you are where the animals really live. Have the grandparent pass so I took my granddaughter today. We also went thru the dinosaur exhibit (additional fee for that was well worth it) . The only downfall today was the bigger part of the water park area was closed,although we did spend time at the small splash pad.

Sierra Wald

We always enjoy coming to Riverbanks. We purchased the family membership which pays for itself in 3 visits! The concessions are typically priced for the setting but the refill prices for souvenir cups are a good deal. We have an active 3 year old & she LOVES the farm area and feeding the llamas and riding the train. The playground is a nice area to rest for us as she runs around a bit more. The real food offered and food trucks that come in are great. Of course the other animals are cool too, but every zoo has animals so I chose to highlight the extras at Riverbanks.

J Moors

Very clean and pretty. Animals well cared for. Enjoyed walking through it!

Jesse Owenby

It's awesome. Love the koalas, but they're always asleep. Make sure they're awake next time

Gregory Smith

Excellent place to spend the day for you, your children or grandchildren, and anyone who loves animals. Open, easily navigable and walkable surroundings. All the standard animal exhibits, plus new farm exhibits that allow for more hands on for kids. Food is also quite tasty at the local cafe and vendors. Wonderful place for a day trip!

Victoria Dugger

This is a great zoo. It's a very good value for the cost of admission. There are always nice knowledgeable demonstrations. The staff is always friendly. Best of all, lots of well cared for animals!!!

B Mags

Lovely zoo with so very much to do in the sun and shade! Easy to manipulate even with a large group. Very friendly and helpful staff.

Ricky Lancaster

Enjoyed all the sites, watching the kids having a ball. Couldn't afford to see it all. Admission fee only covers the basic zoo but still good

Josh V

Grew up visiting this zoo annually. First time visiting with our kids and we were taking aback. We had a wonderful time!

Cathy Fudge

First time going and recommend. We really enjoyed... especially this time of year! No crowds and perfect temperature?

Zoey Lyn

Always fun to come here. Love seeing all the animals and attractions. Now that the weather is getting cooler, it's especially nice to go. Food and drink prices aren't too terrible, but they're not cheap.

Joe Skippy

Not worth it. Neat place. Very small, considering to the entry price. ~$18 ticket, but you have to pay for all the other attractions. You want to feed the giraffes? Pay extra for it. Ride the carousel? Pay extra for it. The fountain tap tastes like rusty pipes and a cup of water costs 3.50. Also, (see photo), seriously? Did no one think this through??

Anita Cross

My daughter and I took my grandson for a visit and it was a wonderful experience for us all! Lot's of exhibits, this zoo is well kept, clean! Courteous staff! We will definitely make a return visit.

Evan Kilpatrick

My family bought the annual membership, and it was one of the best purchases we have ever made for our children! We absolutely loved coming to this zoo, and would highly recommend it to anyone!

HeRBaN LyRiX

Great place for a family trip, wear comfortable shoes. The food & drinks can be pricey, but that's why you bring your own

Shawn Manning

I took my 12 &14 year old nephews and we loved it! It's hot in July but there are enough trees, snack spots, water sprays to keep you cool. Totally worth the price.

Clarence Cheatham

Lots of animals and cool fish. Unfortunately some animals were not viewable when we went such as the lion who was asleep in his cave and we could only get a glimpse of his tail

Reagan Benns

Everything is very well kept and nice to look at. Animals look healthy and happy! We are members because there is so much to do it never gets old!!

Mia

So many improvements!! Its great. We had a great lunch at the Tusk restaurant and enjoyed seeing all the new exhibits. Do take the trolley to the gardens. They made some changes there as well and it is well worth the visit. And just get a season pass.....you won't regret it.

C G

One of the best zoos in the Southeast and possibly the country. Great variety of animals in very accessible environments with great views. Got to see the adorable lion cubs grow up over the last year, which has been really interesting. The best Boo at the Zoo experience I've had in the Southeast as well - great decor, great staff, and loads of participants. Well worth the drive from Atlanta!

Jadecyn Borges

Had a great time. Didn't see gorillas though... Only one of a lot of the other animals, too. Hopefully after renovations they will be better. Was looking forward to the birds but wasn't open :(

Abbott Bray

Riverbanks is perfect! Many different exhibits. Plenty of air conditioned indoor spaces. Clean. Reasonable prices. Don't forget you can go across the river to the gardens, kids garden, splash pad, Dino dog, tree house and more. I've been to zoos across the east coast and Riverbanks is second to none. If you are a local, I highly suggest a membership!

None Ya

So nice! We went for a quick weekend getaway and it was so worth the effort. All of the animals we watched the sea lion and seal feeding the only thing to know is some animals as large aren't out when zoo first opens but almost all were. The dinosaur exhibit was cool too!

Matt Green

Very nice and clean zoo. The sea lions and seals were the big hit with our family. It is a smaller zoo. We were able to traverse the whole thing in about 2 & 1/2 hours and that was taking our time. Prices for food and drinks are a bit higher than one would expect. Overall recommended.

Heather Balbi

Came to River Banks zoo for a sleep over scout event. Coming from Charlotte NC they had a good amount of signs along the way. The zoo itself was clean and all the animals were well taken care of. Really great for little kids. We loved the bird exhibit where the birds could even land on you! Friendly staff with interesting and educational shows through out the day. Would recommend!!

Michelle Colson

Amazing zoo. Great place for the family. Take your swimsuit, and towel, and cool off in the amazing splash pad. The zoo is so well thought out with lots of areas to find hidden play areas for the kids. We loved the petting zoo area, with the goats! Good reasonably priced food throughout the park.

J Adams

Fantastic Day at the zoo! Grounds, Fauna & Animals' Habitats were spotless. Zoo is landscaped beautifully to shade walking paths...and has many benches to sit & rest. Animals were all healthy & active. The gorillas had new moms & proud papas. Gorilla moms actually enjoyed showing off their babies to the humans through the glass viewing area. Lots of activities for kids to do. We spent 5 hours there and did not see everything!

Sara Carson-Mitchell

Baby gorillas!! Lion cubs!! A baby giraffe!! That for like 2 bucks you get to hand feed along with the rest of his family. We get a family pass every year to the zoo & it more than pays for itself in just 2 visits. My family loves this place. Bring along swimsuits & towels. The garden has a pretty decent splash pad area along with other fun activities. Great place & easy to get to.

Kaleigh Rings

This zoo is the perfect size to walk around! There are so many beautiful exhibits. They have a brand new petting zoo for the family and their sea lion show is so fun! You can also feed the giraffes and they have a fun high ropes course overlooking the giraffes. You can get really close to the animals and they even have baby gorillas and lion cubs! So cute!

Michael Daniels

I had never been to the Columbia zoo and it turned out to be really nice. The prices are extremely expensive inside the park for food and drink. but it was a great time and great place to bring family and grandkids. We really enjoyed ourselves and will definitely be back

Stephi Dalen

Absolutely love their kids programs and even when it is busy it is easy to get around and see all the animals. The tram is great and I love that it is free. All the employees are friendly and enthusiastic, which always helps make a great experience.

Therese Churchill

I love the zoo But they really need to make the places where the animals live better there area's most of them need work done to them and some of the monkeys they looked so sad because they dont have anything to do there area looks like it's falling apart i mean monkeys like to play just sad to see hopefully soon they will make it better for them

Sabrina Chan

The best zoo I've been to, not huge, but a large variety of animals. Has a great garden with it as well.

Chris Holland

We went on a very hot day and they have little to no ac in the park. The exhibits were well done and immersive. They have a tram in the park that is an absolute joke. We waited 20 minutes on the tram and eventually walked it. The walk was only 5 minutes. I don’t know why they even have a tram.

George

Great zoo. Has a good mix of animals and attractions including a splash park. Not the largest zoo. If lightning is nearby they close most attractions and exhibits. Also, it can get pricey quick. The splash park is a long walk over in the gardens but is included with admission.

Ana

It’s a small zoo(it took us 1:30 to see it all, and walking slow) , I think the price it’s outrageous almost $20 for adult, I think they should make it affordable for people to visit more often, but for a family of 3 we spent about $80 and that was just for admission and an icee and they don’t let you bring outside drinks, from other zoo’s that I’ve been this was a first ! Most zoo’s your allowed to bring your own food and have a picnic, I can’t imagined going with a large family and buying there. I did notice they had tables out by the parking lot (I guess if you decide to bring your food) but that’s so inconvenient specially how hot it is here and having to walk back with kids to the parking lot and hoping that the food you bought and left in the car it’s still good. We would love to go more often if it was a better price and support the zoo.

S. W. Hudson, III

A must-see destination that is a favorite for kids of all ages! This Top 10 Zoo and Botanical Garden is a gem of the Midlands that you should not miss whether you're visiting for the first time or a local. One of the best attractions in all of the Southeastern US!

Scarlett Wilson

Absolute best zoo in the area. The kids love it, there is so much to do that you can spend the entire day there no problem. Definitely worth it to get the membership, pays for its self in 2 visits.

josh wright

Zoo is awesome. Our twin boys really had a blast. Only thing I would say negative about it is one of the venders when you first walk into the park that sells cotton candy and drinks and stuff, she told me when I bought a large souvenir drink that it came with free refills. I got Mello Yellow, so it wasn’t just water. I came back later in the day for my free refill, she told me refills were $1 and some change. I told her she had told me they were free, but she just kept saying I had to pay. I wasn’t going to stand there and argue with here all day especially with my 4 year old boys standing there, so I had to just let it go. It’s funny because a park employee that was on the tram with us when we left the water park had just told me that they would try to make you pay for refills even though they were actually free. He was right. I still had a great time at the park, but had to post this because I don’t want people being taken advantage of by dishonest individuals. If you go, you’ll have a great time. Just stay away from the free refill, souvenir cups.

Eddy Anwana

Love this zoo even when it’s chilly outside they make sure to keep the annals warm

Victoria Gatica

This is a small zoo with decent attractions. It has a good amount of animals to see. The gorillas just had baby’s so that was a cute scene. They also are very active if you go the rite time of day. Feeding giraffes was cool but it would be better if they gave only a certain amount of food to each family, because if one person can hog the whole giraffe an people are just standing around waiting. The dinosaur attraction they have there isn’t worth the money, it’s small. I think we paid $20 for 4 people-which isn’t much but I would have saved it for something better, honestly. The splash pad area is decent, the walk is just long to get there so if you have small kids or older adults with you-just be mindful of the hike in weather. There’s a nice playground & carousel

SPN Fangirl

Love the zoo. We go so often and still there is always something new to see. Right now there is a dinosaur exhibit there that kids and adults will love. They are life size and not only that educational information to learn more about some of the dinosaurs and the study of them. It's am amazing experience. Also the baby animals that are the are a joy to look at. So much to do and see everyone will have fun.

Malcolm and Patricia Campbell

We expected this zoo to be smaller than most, but it was quite large. Good variety of animals and shaded areas with seating. Bathrooms were clean and within reach to every area and the gift shop is pretty nice. We're looking forward to going to the special holiday events coming up in the fall and winter. Lots of activities to do so the kids stay busy! I'd highly recommend visiting here.

Adriana Snelling

My first visit at the zoo and I loved it! It was very hot out but we got to see all of the animals out and about! Had great fun, also brought my one year old for the first time and I think I was more excited but definitely a great way to enjoy the day!

Abigail Scott

Wow! Riverbanks really blows me away! We went on a Saturday afternoon, super hot like 94F. This was one of the best trips I’ve taken! We went with two 2 year old toddlers and it was SO nice! The employees were friendly, the zoo was immaculately clean, there were hardly any lines to see the animals and THERE IS SO MUCH SHADE. Don’t get me wrong, it was HOT in Columbia but it wasn’t unbearable to be walking around all day at the zoo! There are fans everywhere and many air conditioned exhibits. Overall a wonderful trip and we will DEFINITELY be back.

Beckie Podleckis

It was great, late in the yr, but beautiful weather and animal wildlife of course! Had a great time. The gorillas were awesome!

Matt Green

Very nice and clean zoo. The sea lions and seals were the big hit with our family. It is a smaller zoo. We were able to traverse the whole thing in about 2 & 1/2 hours and that was taking our time. Prices for food and drinks are a bit higher than one would expect. Overall recommended.

Miranda Moore

First of all River Banks Zoo is beautiful. The only reason I went is for Boo At The Zoo. I will be commenting on the event, not the zoo itself. Boo At The Zoo wasn't good this year. I went on the last day and could tell no effort was put into the event on the last day. There wasn't enough lighting throughout the event. The candy that was given out was the cheapest candy at the Dollar Store. The staff wasn't into the event. They were just getting on through. I just didn't enjoy it. Last year was good, but I went much earlier in the month last year. The only thing I did enjoy was the seals. They were beautiful. I am giving 3 stars for the seals.

Tierra Boddie

We went when it was extremely hot! We had an amazing time. The reason for the 4 stars a lot of animals didn’t want to come out due to the heat. We had to circle back a couple of times to see a lot of the animals. The ice cream was great and also feeding the birds the nectar. They even had a petting zoo and beautiful garden. It’s better than the Jacksonville Zoo in my opinion and better priced. This has been by far the best zoo me and my family have attended.

Heather Balbi

Came to River Banks zoo for a sleep over scout event. Coming from Charlotte NC they had a good amount of signs along the way. The zoo itself was clean and all the animals were well taken care of. Really great for little kids. We loved the bird exhibit where the birds could even land on you! Friendly staff with interesting and educational shows through out the day. Would recommend!!

Amy Plemons

Awesome zoo! It's the perfect size and the animal exhibits well done. You can take your own drinks and food inside which is nice when you are trying not to spend a fortune on a family outing. My kids loved it!

Jacob Rickman

Great place to go with or without kids for a day trip. Me and my family love this zoo. There is a lot of walking if you want to see everything so if that's not for you then you won't enjoy it. If you don't mind walking around for a while then definitely a great place to visit. The garden side is also amazing, especially during the summer. They have a little sprayground there for kids which is great for a hot day. All in all would recommend.

Scott Chun

Just did the penguin behind the scenes tour and it was amazing. Jessie, Sam and the team were very informative and getting that close to the penguins was just awesome! A unique experience worth every penny!

Nora Windsor

Amazing zoo. Loved the dinosaur exhibit, a lot of detail. Loved the gardens and children's area.

Rebecca w

I was happy with the new enclosures for the animals, bigger and better enclosures. I was disappointed that the Botanical Garden was made much smaller to be replaced with a water theme park, the children's hand on park in the Botanical garden is gone too. Was wondering in the fall and winter when it's too cold to play in the water what use is the water park then? It just seems the zoo is more money hungry and less of a zoo now.

T Clark

Nice zoo. Pleasant and helpful staff. The Galapagos Turtles were cool. Could use automatic doors for wheelchairs.

Stacy Hopkins

Get a membership each year. It's well worth ir. My kids love it and it brings me joy to see them so happy and learning.

Angela Phillips

I would have rated this zoo at 3 stars based on the size and number of attractions. The thing that made me add on 2 full stars was the guest services specialist named Jesse. We met him after the sea lion feeding demonstration and he gave us almost a full hour of personal time at 2 other exhibits. His passion for the animals and general knowledge of the zoo as well as all of the fun facts that he peppered in throughout the conversation made this visit well worth the time and money spent!

Cheryl Johnston

The staff is so sweet and helpful. The variety of animals is unlike anything I have ever seen. Perfect for children of all ages. Definitely want to go all year long.

Maria Recendes

Si much fun. It’s so big and there’s so much to see I absolutely loved it

Dale Culbreth

This is a great zoo! The exhibits are well maintained and are updated regularly. There are interactive exhibits as well as scheduled feeding times for the animals. The botanical gardens are a short walk or tram ride across the river which has a splash park for the kids.

Joseph Ames

Had a great time at the zoo! We weren't able to make it across the bridge but we have a reason to come back. The rope climbing thing was a great addition to the zoo!

Lisa Harrell

Had an awesome time with my 2 year old grandson. He loved the animals and really enjoyed the water park and surrounding play area. The huge sand box was a hit.

John Fields

The kids enjoyed it. For us, we felt we were constantly paying for extras. The dinosaur exhibit was an extra $20, we paid it because that is what we went for (however we were not aware it would be extra) They also charge for the petting zoo this time. 3 years ago it was free. We did not pay for the kids to do this. The zoo is great especially if you have never been there.

David Mccoy

Best Zoo! I've been coming here since I was a kid and is still the best zoo I've been to. They've made improvements that have only made it better over the years.

Sarah Smithers

Awesome zoo! Everything is laid out with enough space in between exhibits. Not overly crowded! Definitely worth getting the souvenir cup, it's free to refill with water!

Lakeland/Winter Haven Kayak Tours

Awesome place to visit! Great for kids and families! There is plenty to do and see. Many types of animals large and small. Plenty of parking that is FREE. And entry fee is small. There is many food and drink options throughout the zoo. Staff is great and very knowledgeable about there work. We highly recommend this zoo when visiting the Colombia SC area.

Kaitlin Byers

A beautiful, well maintained zoo. They have a ton of nice exhibits, and the dinosaur garden was my son's favorite part.

Patricia Farra

I was really disappointed. I felt like some of the dens the animals were in were quite small. There were no trees or grass in the lions den. Saw a goat who seemed injured, tried to alert a zoo keeper but they paid me know attention. And they had no grass to eat or graze in.. This zoo needs to do better, will not visit again..

Michelle Colson

Amazing zoo. Great place for the family. Take your swimsuit, and towel, and cool off in the amazing splash pad. The zoo is so well thought out with lots of areas to find hidden play areas for the kids. We loved the petting zoo area, with the goats! Good reasonably priced food throughout the park.

Dana Pfeifer

I’m a zoo member and I have no kids. This zoo is just so amazing I LOVE going as much as I can. I am sad they are taking the elephants away since those are my favorite animals, but I know it’s in the best interest of the animals.

Ginny Milligan

Very pretty zoo. Have to visit every time I'm visiting in the area. Love the exhibits. Animals have all sorts of different areas and toys to keep them interested. Wide variety of animals plus rock climbing wall, carousel, lorrikeet feeding area, zip lining area, petting area.

kenneth hougey

The kids love this place. Very good value, especially with the family membership. The Otters are my favorite, but the aquarium/reptile house is great as well. And the dinosaur exhibit they have right now was great.

Ricky Robinson

Great zoo with great prices on the inside. Souvenir cups only $6 bucks! Rock climbing wall, carousel, small playground and more. Drove up from Savannah to visit. All the animals were out and actually looked good.

Red Banks

Great place to take the kids.. kinda pricey but what place like this isn't? A lot of walking so wear your comfortable shoes... I have been here many times and will continue to come...but be aware once you have been here a few times it's pretty much the same thing when you return so it's mainly for the kids.