Sightseeing
History BuffSouth Carolina State House
FreeTour the granite capitol of South Carolina, where bronze stars mark the spots Sherman's cannons hit during the Civil War.
Photo: Charles Barilleaux from Cincinnati, Ohio, United States of America, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Cropped and resized.
AttractionsFamily FavoriteOutdoor Adventure
Riverbanks Zoo & Garden
500 Wildlife Parkway · Columbia, SC
Why you should go…
Riverbanks Zoo & Garden spreads over 170 acres along the Saluda River in Columbia and West Columbia, with more than 3,000 animals. You can watch giraffes and zebras on the African Plains, see the Pacific coral reef tank in the Aquarium Reptile Complex, and meet goats at the Farmyard. The Saluda Skyride carries you over the river to the botanical garden, with its Asian, Walled and Bog Gardens.
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- #botanical garden
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Good to know
General attractions guidance
Habits that pay off across this whole category, not rules for this one venue. Always check the official site for the specifics.
Book the time slot, not just the ticket
Timed entry is now the norm at big-draw attractions, and online tickets are often cheaper than the gate.
Grab the daily schedule on arrival
Feeding times, keeper talks, and shows run on a posted timetable that changes day to day.
The first hour is the quietest
Queues build through late morning and peak after lunch, so an early start buys you the shortest waits.
Budget past the ticket price
Parking, lockers, strollers, and food inside the gates are common extras worth planning for.
What's around here?
The closest stops to Riverbanks Zoo & Garden, ordered by straight-line distance.
