Your Information to the Fantastic Zoo Day at Riverbanks Zoo in Columbia, SC

Are you scheduling a trip to Riverbanks Zoo in Columbia, SC? Some connect with it the Riverbank Zoo, some simply call it the Columbia SC Zoo, no issue what you connect with it, we know you’ll get pleasure from a vacation. With more than 2,000 animals spread throughout 170-acres there is so much to explore, study and do! We will share all of our tips, what to expect and how to put together for your working day of wild, memorable enjoyable at this awesome zoo in Columbia.

This posting incorporates:
How Much Time Do I Will need to Check out Riverbanks Zoo?
Ideas and Methods: Viewing the zoo in Columbia, SC
When is the very best time to check out Riverbanks Zoo?
Riverbanks Zoo Map: Obtaining all-around
What really should I provide to the Riverbanks Zoo?
Can you feed animals at the zoo in Columbia?
What other rides and points of interest are at Riverbanks Zoo?
Can I provide meals and snacks to the Riverbanks Zoo?
Distinctive Occasions at Columbia’s Zoo

Wild About Riverbanks Zoo

How considerably time need to you prepare to spend at the zoo?

Ok, so you have resolved to get a enjoyment spouse and children outing to the zoo! Now what? We know the zoo can be a bit mind-boggling to get ready for, particularly if you are scheduling a whole-day trip, so let’s make this less difficult and assistance you strategy what will come next! You can make the zoo final as tiny or prolonged as you’d like, but we would advocate setting apart at least 2 several hours to investigate!    

Helpful Suggestions and Tricks for Visiting Riverbanks Zoo

Tickets to Riverbanks Zoo

To start with, let us chat tickets! We remarkably counsel buying your tickets or annual membership online in advance of arriving. This will help save time (and your sanity) by skipping the line at the ticket booth. Youngsters youthful than 2 are absolutely free and navy and senior citizens can exhibit their ID to get a price cut. A different incentive to purchasing your tickets on the net is that you conserve on the $5 parking cost.

Zoo Membership in Columbia

If you feel your loved ones will go to the zoo much more than as soon as or 2 times throughout the calendar year, it would be a very good idea to search into the zoo’s annual membership pass. There are many unique deals, cost ranges, and incentives these kinds of as discounted admission into other zoos, free parking, no cost entry to some activities, and so considerably far more! 

The Investigate Far more Card

A further suggestion is to obtain an “Explore More” card. Although it’s not a necessity (specially if you are on the lookout for a far more spending budget-aware trip), it will open up extra routines and experiences for you and your spouse and children at Riverbanks Zoo. Stop by the zoo’s website to learn more about the card and see how lots of credits just about every attraction will demand. 

Very best Times to Stop by Riverbanks Zoo

If at all attainable, we recommend arranging your zoo vacation for a weekday, specially when heading all through the spring and summer season months. Nevertheless, if the weekends are your only possibility, really do not permit that discourage you from the fun. Possibly way, it is very best to get there early as the parking lots fill up swiftly and the popular displays will get crowded. Be conscious that on the weekends, the zoo anticipates parking currently being entire by all around 11 am without having availability once more until around 2 pm.        

Getting Around at Riverbanks Zoo

Riverbanks Zoo is divided into two distinctive places: the zoo by itself and the Botanical Gardens. The two sections of the zoo are related by using a paved walkway. You can either stroll to and from every facet or acquire a tram across. If you have youthful kids and/or have a great deal of issues to pack, the tram is possibly the greatest possibility for you! The wander is not always simple, but it is scenic. So if your small children are a little bit older, it may be worth the hike.  

Believe of the zoo part as a person big circle. When coming into, it is finest to both head left toward Sea Lion Landing, or proper towards the otters. Then, remain on the route the complete way via the zoo. When you make it to the zebras you are about halfway all-around. As soon as you are back to the beginning, head into the center to examine out the flamingos, penguins, and the Aquarium and Reptile Conservation Middle (set to reopen Drop 2022). 

Handheld maps are hard to arrive by, nonetheless, you can either obtain the map off of the zoo’s site ahead of arriving or scan a code as soon as you are within the zoo to assist you get around. 

Riverbanks Zoo Packing Guideline: Factors to Bring  

Packing for a working day out of the household can be tough, specifically with littles. Right here are some things we don’t want you to neglect:

• Sunscreen
• H2o bottle
• Hand sanitizer 
• Sunglasses
• Hats 
• Gentle jacket for cooler months 
• Stroller or wagon (one and double strollers can be rented at the zoo if desired)

You Can Feed Animals at Riverbanks Zoo, Columbia

Lions and tigers and bears, oh my! With so lots of animals to see and reveals to discover, it would be really hard to focus on them all. In this article is a list of some of our favorites that we hope you really do not pass up out on:

Giraffes 

Get your cameras ready! From 10 am – 1:30 pm, each day you can feed the giraffes utilizing your Discover More card. The giraffes are generally eagerly waiting around to be fed and will stretch their noses into the feeding place and lick the lettuce correct out of your fingers. These kinds of a cool and unforgettable experience! 

Sea Lion Landing 

Below you will obtain a huge tank, outdoor and indoor amphitheaters, and places to check out the sea lions and seals from all directions. In the course of the day, the trainers put on limited displays (no cost with admission) where they feed the animals and display off their tips. My kid’s favored spot to watch the animals swim is as a result of the big glass within of the making.  

Lorikeet Feeding 

Contacting all hen enthusiasts! Every day from 9 am – 4:30 pm you can feed nectar to Lorikeets. My son truly enjoys this portion of the zoo, but it is certainly not for absolutely everyone. The birds WILL land on you and in many cases there will be a lot more than one. They are acknowledged to be a small intense in having the nectar so beware of small beak nibbles or even getting your cup stolen from a swooping fowl. This feeding will involve credits from the Explore Much more card.   

The Farmyard 

At the Farmyard you will uncover all items, you guess it…farm! A backyard garden, pigs, chickens, and goats…just to title a several. You can pet and brush the goats, climb up on a tractor and pretend you’re a farmer or acquire “eggs” in the rooster get rid of utilizing your Discover A lot more card. 

Gorillas 

You can get a very good check out of the gorillas from two destinations within the zoo. You can see them enjoying on the hill across from the rhinos or perspective them from the glass inside of of the setting up up coming to the kangaroo exhibit. There are 7 gorillas, 2 of them being “toddlers”, and at minimum one of them is usually creating mischief and offering the viewers a show.  

Some other common animals that you can obtain at Riverbanks are zebras, bears, otters, lions, penguins, rhinos, flamingos, and a lot more! 

Rides and Sights at Riverbanks

A lot like the animals, there are various points of interest through the zoo:

• Prepare journey
• Carousel
• Jungle gym/playground 
• Rock climbing wall 
• Sky-Superior Safari 

Keep in brain that the majority of these rides/points of interest will involve an Take a look at More card. The rock climbing wall and Sky-Superior Safari (significant ropes training course) have their very own sets of specifications.

Feeding on at Riverbanks Zoo

The zoo does not make it possible for exterior meals or drinks. Nevertheless, there are plenty of “snack shacks” or dining places for even larger meals if required. There are also various shady picnic spots thoughtfully laid out around the zoo. Preserve in thoughts, at the time tickets are purchased, you are in a position to leave and re-enter all through the working day. So if a car picnic is additional your speed…have at it, I’m ideal there with you!  

Mark Your Calendar! Specific Activities at Riverbanks 

The zoo hosts some unbelievable situations all all through the yr. Two of the most common are “Boo at the Zoo” and “Lights Right before Xmas.” Most activities are relatives-welcoming, even so, there are a couple these types of as wine tasting and “Brew at the Zoo” that are very best suited for grownups. Be absolutely sure to check out out the zoo’s calendar to stay up to day with situations that you will not want to overlook out on! 

Riverbanks Zoo
500 Wildlife Parkway
Columbia, SC 

Have you been to Riverbanks Zoo? What is your favourite animal to see although there?  

Locate far more fun things to do in Columbia, SC!