If you’ve been following my blog for any length of time, you’ve probably figured out that I love animals. Whether it’s a zoo, an aquarium, an animal park, or a sanctuary within driving distance, it’s probably on my list!
However, visiting so many different animal experiences means that I’ve seen some pretty good ones that are hard to top. I enjoy just about any animal-related excursion, but it takes a lot to become my new favorite.
That’s why I am so excited to tell you about the Riverbanks Zoo & Garden in Columbia, South Carolina! I was blown away by the beautiful facilities, amazing exhibits, playful creatures, and engaging experiences here. I have never been to a place that combined nature trails, gardens, and a zoo into one incredible experience like this before. And despite having so much to see, it’s still an easy 4-hour adventure without feeling rushed.
I would love to share every detail of this place with you, but unfortunately, it would be impossible to cover all 170 acres and 2000 animals in one post.
Instead, I’m going to share why the Riverbanks Zoo and Gardens are my new favorite! I also made a YouTube video of our adventure to give you a quick recap. There are so many adorable animals playing around in the footage, so be sure to check it out, too!
Take a Virtual Riverbanks Zoo Tour on YouTube
Download a Park Map
Why the Riverbanks Zoo & Gardens is My New Favorite Zoo
The Seal and Sea Lion Exhibit is Top-Notch
It’s been quite a while since I visited a zoo with sea lions and seals–especially one with this amazing viewing setup! We immediately spotted this exhibit when we entered the zoo, and it sucked me right in.
On the ground level, you can look through several large glass viewing panels to see the harbor seals and sea lions darting around, floating on their backs, and playing tag. There are indoor and outdoor viewing areas on the first level, and the inside area is set up for you to sit and watch them as long as you want. The tank even curves out so that you can see them swimming above you!
From inside, we could watch the harbor seals swimming over our heads! 
Outside, you can also step onto a dock-like viewing area to watch them frolicking from above. I loved seeing how fast they chased each other across the water. We even got to watch one of the sea lions jump onto a platform and start barking (See the YouTube video to watch it, too)!
Besides being such a unique exhibit, I loved how easily I could see the seals and sea lions from all angles and how adorably happy they were! It was so fun to see them enjoying life and goofing off with each other without any prompting from a trainer.
The Conservation Efforts are Impressive
Many zoos these days are making efforts to help conservation. While that hasn’t always been the case, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums has really put an emphasis on conservation since the ’80s. Because of this, zoos in the AZA focus on helping these amazing creatures survive beyond their walls to thrive in the wild.
I always appreciate hearing about the specific conservation efforts in place at each zoo, but the Riverbanks Zoo blew me away with how much they’re doing for both animals and the environment! Here are a few fun facts I gleaned from our tour and their website:
Facts on Penguin Conservation 
How the Zoo recycles 3 million gallons each year
- Riverbanks Zoo is actively involved in 72 conservation programs, including ones that continually heal and release animals back into the wild.
- The zoo saves nearly 3 million gallons of water each year by naturally recycling the sea lion exhibit’s water through an artificial marsh.
- The animals are provided with daily enrichment activities like solving puzzles, “hunting,” and sniffing out treats.
- The zoo uses solar power and energy-efficient lighting throughout the zoo.
The Animals Looked So Happy!
Have you ever visited a zoo where the animals just lay around the whole time? I always feel bad when the animals look bored or sluggish, but this was not the case at Riverbanks Zoo!
Daniel and I were cracking up at the animals’ antics the whole time. We watched zebras “wrestling” then take off after an ostrich together, a penguin zooming around so fast it was almost cartoonish, and monkeys swinging all over their exhibits. It was so fun to see so many of the creatures active and playing. You’ll see all this if you watch the YouTube video.
Some of the animals were even identifiable by how the played, like the gorillas! I think that is such a wonderful testament to the zoo’s enrichment programs.
There are Gardens and Nature Trails!
I love the concept of tying together a zoo with a garden. About halfway through our tour, we took a detour and crossed the bridge over the Saluda to the Riverbanks Gardens.
We chose the long way around to walk through the woods and along the river as well. Despite most of the foliage still being in “winter mode,” it was a beautiful walk, and we enjoyed looking at the historic mill and the rushing river. Unfortunately, the interpretive center that gives more information about the mill was closed, but we could still see everything as we walked by.
Everything was so pretty and well kept in the actual gardens, even though the blossoms were few and far between. We still enjoyed the vibrant green shades from the palm trees and shrubs, as well as the lovely garden lights and decor. I was particularly in love with the whimsical ivy-covered wall on either side of the main gate. It looked very Alice-in-Wonderlandish. In total, there are 7 flower gardens with different themes of plants.
Daniel and I also enjoyed a quick detour through the children’s half of the gardens, called Waterfall Junction. This was such a fun area with so many activities for kids. There was a vegetable garden, a “fossil” excavation site, “rabbit burrows “to crawl through, a tree-top exploration zone, and tons of water activities. So essentially, this is a zoo, garden, and mini-waterpark! I loved that there was such a huge area just dedicated to kids, and I’m sure it’s a great place to cool off during the summer months.
They Have So Many Cool Creatures!
As previously mentioned, 2000 critters call the Riverbanks Zoo their home. From mammals to fish, to reptiles to birds, the variety was amazing! Many zoos seem to have one “featured” animal, such as gorillas, sea lions, penguins, etc., but Riverbanks had them all! We enjoyed seeing so many creatures that we had not seen elsewhere or altogether. And I loved that I could actually see them (Don’t you hate when the enclosures are too big to find the animals?)!
Obviously, I can’t touch on everything, but here are a few of the highlights:
Africa:
Asia
Australia
Koala 
Red-Necked Wallabies
North America
Grizzly Bear 
River Otters
Aquarium & Reptile Complex
Birdhouse and Aviaries
Conservation Outpost
Can you tell why this is my favorite? I sincerely hope you get the chance to visit this incredible zoo soon so that it can be your new favorite, too!
If you know of a zoo that comes close to this, please let me know! I love a quality animal excursion, and I am always looking for new and better ones to visit. I think this one has ruined me for most zoos now, but I’d love to check out any recommendations you have!
Do you have any questions or comments? Post them below–don’t be shy! I love to hear from my readers. And while you’re here, don’t forget to save this post for future reference and share it with your friends.
