South Carolina Zoos
Riverbanks Zoological Park & Botanical Garden
Columbia, South Carolina
Riverbanks is home to more than 2,000 magnificent and fascinating animals and one of the nation’s most beautiful and inspiring botanical gardens. The lush 170-acre site features dynamic natural habitat exhibits, scenic river views, spectacular valley overlooks and significant historic landmarks. For more than 30 years, Riverbanks has provided individuals, families and groups with a common place to connect with and learn about the world’s wildlife and wild places. Twice awarded the Governor’s Cup for South Carolina’s Most Outstanding Tourist Attraction, Riverbanks is the premier family choice for education and recreation in the Southeast.
From elephants and koalas to penguins and sharks, formal gardens to natural woodlands, Riverbanks Zoo & Garden promises new discoveries around every corner!
9:00am–5:00pm daily.
Admission:
Adults (ages 13–61) — $21.99 plus tax
Children (ages 2–12) — $18.99 plus tax
Children (younger than 2) — FREE
Military (please present military ID at gate) — $19.99 plus tax
Senior Citizens (ages 62 and up; please present photo ID at gate) — $19.99 plus tax
Visit there website here for full details www.riverbanks.org
South Carolina Aquarium Charleston, South Carolina
The South Carolina Aquarium, located on Charleston’s harbor, depicts the aquatic habitats of the state from rushing mountain streams through rivers, lakes and the saltmarsh, to the depths of the Atlantic Ocean. Along the way, encounters with river otters, snakes, turtles, birds, fish and sharks delight guests as they explore 60 living exhibits.
Featuring the 380,000-gallon Great Ocean Tank has the tallest aquarium window in North America. Exhibits display more than 10,000 living organisms, representing more than 500 species. You travel through the five major regions of the Southeast Appalachian Watershed as found in South Carolina: the Blue Ridge Mountains, the Piedmont, the coastal plain, the coast, and the ocean. Little ones can pet stingrays at one touch tank and horseshoe crabs and conchs at another.
Open daily 9 a.m. – 4 p.m., building closes at 5 p.m.
Closed Thanksgiving Day and December 25,
Admission:
Adults: 13+ $29.95
Child: 3-12 $22.95
Visit there website here for full details www.scaquarium.org