Riverbanks Zoo and Gardens, Columbia, South Carolina

Mission Statement

It is our mission to foster appreciation and concern for all living things.

Some of the best days to go to the zoo are days were it is overcast and rain is threatening to dampen the spirits of people wanting to spend the day outside. Those days are the perfect days to go to the zoo since the crowds are not so great and it seems the animals all enjoy the weather. Today the weather was nice but it was January so we took a chance that it would not be crowded on a holiday Monday and headed to the amazing zoo in Columbia, South Carolina. It is an hour drive from where we live but well worth the trip. We arrived at the zoo’s front gates right after it opened.

Riverbanks Zoo and Gardens have 170 acres of zoo, aquariums, and botanical gardens snuggled up against the beautiful Saluda River. This is one of the most successful mid-size zoos in the United States and has more visitors than any other zoo in the southeast. They have more than a million visitors a year that come to this zoo and gardens that is so well designed and really packs a punch for a small size zoo. If you go, you will definitely see why it is so popular.

The concept of this zoo was created by a group of local businessmen who came up with the idea of creating a small community zoo aimed at children. The original design was with a nursery rhyme theme but it soon failed due to funding issues. Then in 1969, the South Carolina Assembly designed Rich-Lex Riverbanks Park Special Purpose District which consisted of a 7 member Riverbank Park Commission. By doing this it expanded the zoo’s support which vamped it up to what it is today.

Then with the help and support of South Carolina Electric and Gas (SCE+G) who leased to the commission 100 acres of land on either side of the Saluda River for a $1.00 a year for the next 99 years, brought the realization that the zoo could happen. The zoo opened on April 25, 1974 after five years of planning and construction. The garden side of the zoo opened on June 10, 1995 and connects to the zoo by an 800’ long bridge over the Saluda River.

The zoo itself boasts of more than 2000 animals from all over the world. Satch Krantz is the executive director of the zoo since 1976 and is doing a great job at keeping this zoo not just a place to see exotic animals but also place where the kids have many hands on exhibits, learn about the animals, and can also do an adventure exhibits such as zip lining through the trees and over the river. There is so much to do and if you are like us, it will take a full day to get through everything in the park.

We first went and saw all the animals. They were all active today and up and moving around. We really enjoy watching and hearing the monkeys as they showed off for the crowds. The Gorillas are a joy with the two babies now that keep mom and dad busy chasing them around. The giraffes are always fun to watch as they slowly mosey around eating leaves off the trees or come up the feeding platform where the children get to feed them. They giggle when they feel their tongues.

One of the favorite things for the children to do is to go in and feed the beautifully colored Lorikeets. These brightly colored birds from Australia are sweet and gentle and the children love to have them land on them to feed them the juice they are given when entering the cage. They squeal with delight as the birds fly by or swoop down and land near them.

The Penguin area was great fun watching them get fed and jumping and swimming around the tank. The children kept running up to us saying, “Did you see that?” or “Wow”. They loved watching them swim and waddle around on the rocks in their special habitat.

We headed to the gardens section. After walking over the bridge we loaded up the children onto the tram ride that carried us up the hill to the gardens. They loved the tram ride. Even in January, the gardens were beautiful and well kept. I’m sure in the summer the colors are much more vibrant but the children loved the play grounds and all the things to do on that side.

We had a great day at the zoo. No matter how many times we have gone, there is always some new fascinating thing to see or witness. If you haven’t been or not been in a while, you need to go. It is a blast. Their regular hours are 9 am to 5 pm seven days a week. Check them out at: Riverbanks.org. They are located at 500 Wildlife Parkway, Columbia, SC. They do offer senior and military discounts. General admission is $19.95 for adults, $16.95 for children and under two are free.

Till next time. Bye for now.