- amackes
- First Reviewer
- 5 out of 5
- Avg. Member Rating
- 5
- Reviews
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14
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Editor Pick
Riverbanks Zoo
- July 3, 2008
- Rated 5 of 5 by
vampirefan from Mt. Pleasant, North Carolina
No matter if your in town for business or pleasure, or if you come as a couple, with friends, or as a family, everyone in your group will delight in this wonderful and amazing zoo and botanical gardens.
Since 1974 the Riverbanks zoo has been delighting visitors and locals alike. Almost a million people come by to see the 2,000 creatures that call this amazing 170 acre place home. Like most other major zoos, Riverbanks has most of their charges in a natural setting with barriers instead of cages. Critters such as birds and other animals are kept in changes, but they have large spacious changes to roam around in.
Visitors to the zoo can enjoy the Ndoki Forest where they can enjoy the grand elephants, gorillas, and meerkats. There is a massive aquarium and reptile complex which is an undersea adventure everyone will enjoy. Giraffes, zebras, and ostriches lazily hangout in the African Plains. Over at the Conservation Outpost monkeys, cats, and tree kangaroos can be spotted. Check out a variety of birds at the birdhouse including the beautiful flamingos. Lemur Island is where visitors can find several varieties of lemurs. One of my favorite is the Koala Knockabout where guest can "oooh" and "aahh" the ever so adorable kangaroos and wallabies. Or for a close up experience step inside the lorikeet home where your cup of nectar is sure to bring you plenty of friends. And for small ones (or those like me who will pet anything that will allow me to) come on over to the Riverbanks Farms where there are plenty of llamas, goats, and cows to give noggin scratches to and food.
They do also offer several live demonstrations through out the day. Twice daily employees offer a sea lion presentation and penguin feeding. Around lunch time visitors to the aquarium can check out the dive presentation. There is a bird show and learn all about gorillas by going inside the gorilla base camp to find out all about these magnificent giants. And from 10-3 you can go over to the giraffe over look and if they are hungry, they will be more than glad to take your kibbles that you can purchase. There is also a behind the scenes tours and even a 3D adventure theater. Little ones will get a big kick out of the endangered species carousel.
Now the zoo does have several extensive gift shops with some rather unique items. While we were here I picked up some elephant poo paper. Yes that is right, paper made from elephant poop. No it doesn’t smell and isn’t nasty. In fact if I didn’t know better I would think it was handmade paper. Make sure you have two quarters and a penny for my favorite souvenir, the squashed penny. When you purchase your ticket I would suggest going ahead and buying the zoo bucks since that is what you need to buy nectar and giraffe food. If you don’t use them all feeding critters, then you can spend them in the gift shops as well. They do have a first aid station as well as an ATM. There are plenty of places to eat and even a Starbucks in case you need your daily fix. The Kenya Café is a very nice restaurant with outdoor seating that over looks the alligator’s home. Several of the other restaurants offer outdoor seating. The zoo is handicapped accessible. They also have picnic tables to use.
In addition to all this, they zoo is a great place to bring you group and they do offer rental facilities for your party and what a unique place to hold a meeting or have a wedding. The botanical gardens are certainly a splendid place to host a wedding. The zoo does have 70 acre scrumptious botanical gardens. But the gardens are so gorgeous they deserve their own entry. They do hold a number of events throughout the year including the very popular Boo at the Zoo and Lights before Christmas.
The park is part of the AZA (Association of zoos and aquariums). They also participate in a number of conservations programs and are the recipients of many rewards for their efforts. If you have read my prior journals, then you know I do not under any set of circumstances visit any place that does not take care of their charges. I have lived near the zoo most of my life and this place has always had an outstanding reputation as a top quality zoo that takes care of the animals in their charge. So animal lovers may take assurance that the zoo is a great place to visit.
Hours/admission/info
Hours: The zoo is open daily except Thanksgiving and Christmas. They are open 9 am to 5 pm except summer weekend when they are open until 6.
Admission: Current admission prices are $9.75 (a) $ 8.50 (military) $8.25 (s) $ 7.25 (c 3-12). Children under 3 free. Admission is for both the zoo and gardens.
Parking: There is plenty of parking and it is free.
Website: www.riverbanks.org.
For one of the best uses of your time in Columbia come to the Riverbanks zoo and gardens. Plan plenty of time here. You’re guaranteed to walk away from this place with a smile on your face!
From journal My Weekend with the Dead!!
Editor Pick
Riverbanks Gardens
- July 3, 2008
- Rated 5 of 5 by
vampirefan from Mt. Pleasant, North Carolina
Now if it isn’t enough for Columbia to have one of the best zoos around, they also have one of the most magnificent gardens around as well. While for some unknown reason it was over looked in the book 1001 Gardens to see before You Die , you shouldn’t make the same mistake.
In 1995 the gardens became a new additional to the zoo. The gardens sit on 70 acres and contain 4300 species of plants. The gardens include a visitor’s center, formal gardens, swings, antique rose gardens, and a ½ mile nature trail. There are plenty of places to sit and admire the splendor surrounding you and there is a nice shady area with rocking chairs perfect for people like my husband who doesn’t have the same enthusiasm for flowers as I do.
Visitors arrive to the 10,000 square foot visitor’s center which is surrounded by magnificent gardens, statues, and fountains.
Inside the visitors center you will find a well stocked gift shop full of souvenirs as well as gardens supplies. They do have snacks and drinks here as well as restrooms. There are also class rooms for classes and groups.
When you walk out from the garden onto the patio you will simply gasp as you see the exquisiteness displayed before you in he formal walled gardens. Here you will find lovely flowers, swings, sculptures, and coved trellises. On past the walled gardens you will find the heavenly antique rose gardens. Between the shade gardens and the play garden take a walk across the bridge that is surrounded by trees to the waterfall and bog gardens. Visitors will delight in the soothing sounds of the waterfall.
Access to the gardens is across the bridge that goes over the Saluda River. From here visitors can go onto the gardens or take the half mile nature trail that winds its way along the river banks to the back of the gardens. Here you will run into the Saluda River ruins and interpretative center. Please note these trails are not handicapped or stroller accessible.
Visitors will be surprised to find out this relativity young zoo has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1973. The reasons can be seen in and around the Saluda River. As you cross the bridge you will be able to spot the remains of covered bridge abutments. In February 1865 confederate forces burned the bridges to keep Sherman and his invading Yankees out of Columbia. If you take the nature trail around the gardens you can see what remains of the Saluda River Factory. Built in 1830 it was the oldest and largest textile factory in the south. At one time it took 64 slaves to operate the factory. Sherman torched the place in 1865 and it was rebuilt after the war. But then in 1884 it accidentally caught on fire and was never rebuilt.
The gardens do have number of events and classes throughout the year. They do have rental facilities and is a very popular place for Columbia brides to say their I do’s. The gardens are on Horticulture Magazines top 10 and HGTV’S top 20 public gardens.
Hours/admission/info
Hours: The zoo and gardens are open daily except Thanksgiving and Christmas. They are open 9 am to 5 pm except summer weekends when they are open until 6.
Admission: Current admission prices are $9.75 (a) $ 8.50 (military) $8.25 (s) $ 7.25 (c 3-12). Children under 3 free. Admission is for both the zoo and gardens.
Parking: There is plenty of parking and it is free.
Getting to the gardens: You can either walk along the path to the gardens (which are uphill and killer on those with breathing problems) or take the free trams that picks up near the flamingos.
Website: www.riverbanks.org.
This is a truly special and stunning place for visitors to the zoo. The gardens are truly inspiring. Whether you capture this place with your mind or camera, this stunning place will capture your heart.
From journal My Weekend with the Dead!!
Columbia Zoo
The zoo was very clean and the best one that I have been to. I liked it better the Washington, DC zoo. They have an awesome Christmas set up. You can roast marshmallow in the pit and they also have the gardens.
From journal Thanksgiving Getaway
Zoo
- August 17, 2006
- Rated 5 of 5 by
MuchToDo from Wallkill, New York
If you are looking for tranquility and peace, spend the day at Riverbanks Zoo and Garden located about 1 1/2 hours from Charlotte South Carolina. Riverbanks Zoo and Garden was voted the best place to take your kids for the afternoon by the 2006 Family Palmetto Parent Family Choice award. Leave the hustle and bustle of the theme parks behind for a lovely visit that the kids will enjoy. This zoo is filled with beautiful gardens and big trees for lots of shade to protect you from the hot South Carolina sun. Of course this zoo has many, many animals that will amaze the kids. Riverbanks houses grizzly bears, warthogs, alligators, tigers, Koala bears, giraffes, zebras, ostriches, sea lions, sharks, elephants and much more. My favorites were the gorillas and meerkats. I never saw either one live in person. Gorillas are amazing creatures. Their movements are very human like. They are massive and they love vegetables! Meerkats are the cutest little things. They stand on their little hind legs and just stare... It's so cute. There are various gardens throughout the zoo as well. They are lovely to look at and great for picture taking. If you live close to Riverbanks Zoo you are one lucky meerkat as they have tons of programs to keep you active throughout the year. They have summer camp, garden education, home school Mondays, overnight camps and much more. Check out their website at www.riverbanks.org for complete listing of all their programs and exhibits.
From journal Day trip to Riverbanks Zoo and Gardens
Riverbank Zoo
- August 15, 2006
- Rated 4 of 5 by
amackes from Lexington, South Carolina
This is a great zoo. It is well-laid out. There is plenty of tree cover and shade. The exhibits are varied and interested. There are many scheduled events as well. They do wine tastings, etc. during the summer.
From journal Living in SC