Riverbanks Zoo and Garden: A Toddler’s Paradise

Guys, I have found a new favorite zoo, and my mind is completely blown. Let’s start with a little backstory on how this came to be. Poppy and I were lucky enough to travel to Columbia, South Carolina, so I started my usual (frantic) Pinterest search of possible activities we could do. This is when I happened upon Riverbanks Zoo and Garden. Now, I know you’re saying, “What’s so special about this place?” or “It’s just another zoo.” Well, my friend, you are as wrong as I was when those exact same thoughts went through my head. Let’s get down to the specifics.

Background Information

Riverbanks Zoo and Garden opened in 1974 as a Zoo, adding on a Botanical Garden in 1995, and further expanding in 2016 with Waterfall Junction. It is one of the largest mid-sized zoos in the United States and has a (well-deserved) reputation as one of the United State’s best zoos. Riverbanks even has structural remains from the 1800s!

The Basics

Regular hours are daily from 9:00am – 5:00pm. At the time of this blog, tickets ranged in price from free (children younger than 2) to $24.99 (adults aged 13 and up). If you’re interested in visiting multiple times, there are also various Membership Levels, which you can read more about here. In addition to the base price, there are various attractions that you can add on for a small fee ($2 per person per attraction when we went). These attractions include Endangered Species Carousel, Farmyard Experience, Giraffe Feeding, Kangaroo Walkabout, Lorikeet Feeding, Sky-High Safari, Spots ‘n’ Stripes Railroad, and Wild Adventures Rock Wall. There were guest relations kiosks in the Zoo where you could pay for these attractions (don’t worry, you didn’t have to know the exact ones you’d do). They load the money on a reloadable card, which you use to scan into each experience.

The Zoo

Riverbanks is full of options, no matter what type of animal is your favorite. Poppy was partial to the lions and primates, and she fully lost her cool each time we’d see one (completely jumping around, making animal noises, and living her best life). In addition to the more than 3,000 animals representing 400 species from around the world, they have really awesome conservation centers. There are also animals talks, where Zoo staff would share about sea lions, penguins, and gorillas.

The Attractions

As previously mentioned, there are several attractions that you can add-on to your Zoo experience. Since Poppy is a toddler, there were several she wasn’t old enough to go on. These include Wild Adventures Rock Wall (a large rock wall where kiddos harness up and climb to the top) and the Sky-High Safari (think ropes course high in the air). We also opted out of the Spots ‘n’ Stripes Railroad, which is a small train that kiddos board and ride around in a circle. The reason we opted out of that one was because I knew Poppy wouldn’t ride by herself. There were several attractions we did experience.

Endangered Species Carousel

This carousel was filled with various endangered species replicas. We rode this one twice, both on large birds that Poppy selected (and I honestly have no idea what they are). They had a variety of animals, some that went up and down and some that remained stationary, in addition to benches.

Farmyard Experience

If you’re picturing a petting zoo with farmyard animals, you’re right on track. You can walk around and see various animals; however, you really get to interact with the goats. They even give you brushes so that you can groom the animals. Poppy’s favorite goat was sleeping (which actually made it the perfect animal for her to pet).

Giraffe Feeding

This had to be my favorite attraction! You got a handful of various types of lettuce, and got to walk right up to the giraffe enclosure to feed them. They were so gentle, and ate right out of our hands. Poppy showed no fear, and put the lettuce right on their tongues. I was obsessed with giraffes before, but this was a life highlight for me.

Kangaroo Walkabout

At the time we went, no one was scanning cards, so everyone was just walking in. This might be the norm or something they’re implementing. I was pretty happy we didn’t pay for this since the kangaroos weren’t very active. If you’ve been and had a different experience, please let us know in the comments.

Lorikeet Feeding

The lorikeet feeding was pretty cool as well. You got a little cup filled with nectar and could walk around the enclosure to feed the lorikeets. They would then fly up to you, sit on your hand, and eat right out of the cup. There was a bit of standing around while you’re trying to entice a lorikeet in your direction, so be prepared with your patience.

The Botanical Garden

A short tram ride away, and totaling a whopping 70 acres, is the the Botanical Garden that HGTV has called one of the 20 great public gardens across America. The have seven different gardens; however, the Walled Garden was our favorite. The plants and architecture are beautiful, and we loved the fountains as well! The nature trails are so peaceful (and a great place for an afternoon nap for your little). We even saw a couple posing for their wedding pictures!

Waterfall Junction

On the opposite side of the Botanical Garden is Waterfall Junction, a large area that includes splash zones, giant tree houses, games, a dino dig, and so much more. Poppy had a blast running from one area to the next. It was the perfect place to cool down after a long day at the Zoo, and it’s included in the price of admission! I was shocked when I found that out. It’s also important to note that it is open year-round!

Our Tips

My biggest tip for Riverbanks Zoo and Garden would be to arrive early! The parking lot fills up quickly, so plan to arrive about 10 minutes before open. This allows you to get a close parking place, which is especially nice after a long day of walking. In addition, I suggest you go ahead and purchase tickets online before you arrive. You’ll be able to walk right past those that are standing in line, and enter quickly. If you’re planning to do the attractions, plan to buy the reloadable card at the first kiosk you see. Don’t make the mistake of standing in line for something, only to get to the front and realize you needed the card. I saw several families make this mistake. When doing the attractions, I’d start with the lorikeets and then move to the giraffes. These are both based on how much the animals want to eat. Once a lorikeet is full, they will completely ignore you. In addition, the giraffes wouldn’t even come to the edge of the enclosure once it got hot and they had plenty to eat.

I’d also suggest doing the Zoo first (the animals will become less active and even hide when they’re hot), and then move to the Garden and Waterfall Junction later in the day. If you’re little one still takes naps, head over to the aquarium for the perfect napping destination.

If you have any tips or questions, let us know in the comments! We’d also love to hear about your experience at Riverbanks Zoo and Garden.