Visitor Information
From elephants and koalas to penguins and sharks, formal gardens to natural woodlands, Riverbanks Zoo and Garden promises new discoveries around every corner!
General Admission Rates | Hours of Operation | Directions & Maps | Hotel Accommodations | Animal Demonstrations & Other Things to Zoo
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Voted Best Place to Take Your Children for the Afternoon
by readers of Palmetto Parent magazine |
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Voted Best Local Attraction
by readers of The State newspaper |
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Voted Best Day Trip
by readers of Charlotte Parent magazine |
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2009 BOB (Best of the Best) Award for Best Day Trip
by Charlotte Magazine |
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Voted Most Family Friendly Day Trip Destination
by readers of Low Country Parent magazine |
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Runner Up for Most Family Friendly Day Trip Destination
by readers of Palmetto Parent magazine |
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Runner Up for Best Place for Family Fun
by readers of Palmetto Parent magazine |
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Named South Carolina's Top Field Trip Attraction
by Carolina Field Trips magazine |
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Adults |
$9.75 |
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Children (3-12 years) |
$7.25 |
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Children (under 3) |
FREE |
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Military (with military ID) |
$8.75 |
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Senior Citizens (ages 62 and up) |
$8.75 |
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Regular admission rates include entry to both the Zoo and the Botanical Garden. Tickets for special after-hours events (like Boo at the Zoo and Lights Before Christmas) are separate from daytime admission. Pets, food, beverages and coolers are not allowed in the park. Riverbanks is a smoke-free facility.
For group rates and information, please click here. |
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Daily park hours: 9:00am-5:00pm.
Extended spring/summer weekend hours:
9:00am-6:00pm on Saturdays and Sundays (effective April 4 - October 4, 2009)
Riverbanks Zoo and Garden is open every day except for Thanksgiving and Christmas days. Special closings may be announced. |
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-- Preferred Hotels --
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Additional Hotel Partners:
Clarion Hotel Downtown, Comfort Inn Columbia, Comfort Suites Lexington, Country Inn & Suites – Columbia Airport, Courtyard by Marriott NE, Courtyard Columbia Northwest, Fairfield Inn by Marriott – Columbiana Mall/Northwest, Hampton Inn – Downtown Columbia, Hyatt Place, Inn at Claussen's, Inn at USC, Lexington Wingate, Residence Inn by Marriott, Residence Inn by Marriott NE, Staybridge Suites Columbia Downtown, and Wingate by Wyndham – Columbia Harbison.
- Conveniently located within minutes of the Zoo and Garden.
- Discounted tickets to Riverbanks in addition to various packages.
To inquire about establishing a hotel partnership with Riverbanks:
Please contact Judie VanPatten at 803.779.8717 x1254. |
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Presentations are subject to change. Current schedules may be confirmed at any ticket booth. |
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Attraction dates and times may vary and are subject to early closing due to weather. Current schedules may be confirmed at any ticket booth. |
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Amazing Animals Show*
1:30pm
Stage located by Birdhouse |
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Aquarium Diving Demo*
12:30pm
Inside aquarium at Indo-Pacific Coral Reef Tank |
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Gorilla Presentation*
11:30am
Inside Gorilla Base Camp |
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Feed the Giraffes
at Giraffe Overlook**
10:00am-1:30pm daily
$2/scoop |
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Feed the Lorikeets
at Koala Knockabout**
10:00am-4:30pm daily
$2/cup of nectar |
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Penguin Feeding*
11:00am and 3:30pm
Inside Birdhouse at Penguin Exhibit |
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Ride the Endangered Species Carousel**
9:00am-4:45pm daily
$2/ride |
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Ride the Ponies
at Riverbanks Farm**
10:00am-3:00pm daily
$5/ride |
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Ride the Spots & Stripes Railroad**
(children's train ride)
10:00am-4:30pm daily
$2/ride |
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Wild Adventures Climbing Wall** : 26-ft rock wall and coconut trees (weight restrictions – min. 40 lbs, max. 250 lbs)
10:00am-4:30pm
1 climb - $3
2 climbs - $5 |
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| 3-D Adventure Theater** Don’t miss the newest 15 minute 3-D film. Shows run daily on the half hour. |
| A Turtle's Adventure - Now Showing |
Experience beautiful coral reefs and ocean canyons in the mysterious and unpredictable deep-sea world. Join baby turtles on an adventure that includes giant sharks, huge octopuses and frightening sea eels!
Admission: $3 (ages 3 and up) |
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| Adventure Tours** |
$20 members, $25 general public. Saturdays only. Ages 8 and up.
Explore the animal hospital, take a peek inside the animal kitchen, and meet a live animal! Our new Adventure Tours allow participants to marvel at the unique challenges of animal care and the amazing efforts that go into creating and sustaining a world-class zoo. |
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