A ninety minute drive in a different direction to the NC Zoo is Riverbanks Zoo, another popular zoo in the Charlotte area. This location actually doubles up as an aquarium and botanical garden too, so there's a lot to see for nature and animal lovers of all kinds. Set in a picturesque spot on the Saluda River in Columbia, SC, the Riverbanks Zoo covers an area of 170 acres and has been operating since the mid-1970s.
This zoo welcomes over a million visitors each and every year, featuring more than 2,000 animals in total. Whether you're interested in huge mammals like giraffes and elephants, thrilling reptiles like Komodo dragons, tropical fish, or something else altogether, you'll find it at Riverbanks Zoo. The 70 acre botanical garden is another beautiful part of this attraction, with the Waterfall Junction area being a huge hit with young children in particular.
Address: 500 Wildlife Parkway Columbia, SC 29210, Phone: 803-779-8717