Seasonal lineup includes dinosaurs, Halloween fun, holiday lights and hands-on workshops Riverbanks Zoo and Garden is welcoming the fall and winter seasons with a lineup of family-friendly experiences, holiday traditions, creative workshops and a prehistoric adventure in the Botanical Garden. “Every season at Riverbanks is an opportunity to create meaningfulContinue Reading
Riverbanks Zoo and Garden has partnered with Harvest Hope Food Bank to bring back Toucan Tuesdays, a summer promotion that combines family fun with community support. Beginning June 9, visitors can receive buy-one, get-one free admission to Riverbanks Zoo and buy-one, get-one free regular-sized ICEEs by donating two nonperishable foodContinue Reading
Riverbanks Zoo and Garden is welcoming spring with a full slate of events designed to combine family fun, conservation, and hands-on gardening inspiration throughout the second quarter of 2026. President and CEO Tommy Stringfellow emphasized that each visit helps support wildlife care locally and globally, whether guests are attending events,Continue Reading
Two young gorillas born at Riverbanks Zoo and Garden are preparing for a major move this spring. Moyo and ZaKota, both born in 2018, will relocate to the Dallas Zoo in March following a recommendation from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ (AZA) Species Survival Plan (SSP) Breeding and TransferContinue Reading
Riverbanks Zoo and Garden is kicking off 2026 with the arrival of two young African lions, the return of Free Fridays for local residents, and a full lineup of events and experiences designed to connect guests with wildlife throughout the year. “From meeting lion brothers Pesho and Sidai to exploringContinue Reading
On October 20, Riverbanks staff joined partners from the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) and South Carolina State Parks to release a juvenile green sea turtle named Huntington into an inlet leading to the ocean—near the same area where the turtle originally hatched. Huntington’s release marks another achievementContinue Reading
COLUMBIA — Beginning September 14, Riverbanks Zoo and Garden will welcome guests to experience Sean Kenney’s Nature Connects® Made with LEGO® Bricks, an award-winning, record-breaking exhibition that has captivated audiences in nearly 100 cities worldwide. The larger-than-life sculptures, built from millions of LEGO® pieces, showcase themes of conservation, endangered species,Continue Reading
COLUMBIA – Riverbanks Zoo and Garden officially opened the Saluda Skyride on August 29, marking a major milestone in its Bridge to the Wild vision for the future. The new aerial transport system connects the Zoo and Botanical Garden campuses across the Saluda River, offering visitors a bird’s-eye view ofContinue Reading
Riverbanks Zoo and Garden is keeping the fun rolling into late summer with a fresh lineup of events, new animal residents, and even a chance to make a difference in conservation—all while enjoying one of the Midlands’ favorite destinations. New Faces You’ll Want to Meet Suci the Sumatran TigerSuci (pronouncedContinue Reading
Bring a Can, Get a Deal — and Help a Neighbor in Need Starting this Tuesday, June 10, Riverbanks Zoo and Garden is bringing back its popular Toucan Tuesdays promotion in partnership with Harvest Hope Food Bank. For the next ten Tuesdays — through August 12 — visitors can enjoyContinue Reading
Riverbanks Zoo and Garden is kicking off 2025 with the return of Free Fridays and the introduction of a new giraffe, Tahini. Free Fridays, a community favorite, allows Richland and Lexington County residents to enjoy complimentary admission every Friday through February. Guests can explore the Zoo’s diverse wildlife and conservationContinue Reading
Riverbanks Zoo and Garden has announced an exciting lineup of fall and winter events, featuring adult-oriented programs, Halloween festivities, conservation initiatives, and the return of its Wild Lights holiday display. Special Animal Events: Marsupial Swap: Riverbanks is saying goodbye to Coedie, a beloved male koala, who will be relocated toContinue Reading
Wingard’s Market is delighted to announce a special collaboration with Riverbanks Zoo and Garden, bringing renowned author and expert Doug Tallamy for an exclusive presentation. Titled “A Chickadee’s Guide to Gardening,” the event on May 16 promises valuable insights into the significance of native plants and choosing the right onesContinue Reading
Columbia, SC – Riverbanks Zoo and Garden, a beloved destination in Columbia, is gearing up to celebrate its 50th anniversary on April 25. As the countdown begins, exciting partnerships, projects, and festivities are in the works. Tommy Stringfellow, President and CEO of Riverbanks, expressed the growth and success of RiverbanksContinue Reading
Riverbanks Zoo and Garden expresses sincere gratitude to Richland and Lexington County Councils and the citizens of the Midlands for their overwhelming support of the Zoo’s bond issue request, enabling the commencement of Phase Two of the visionary “Bridge to the Wild” project. Embarking on a year-long design process inContinue Reading