Columbia’s Riverbanks Zoo and Garden has earned national recognition, landing a spot on Newsweek’s 2025 list of the top 10 zoos in the United States.
The ranking, determined by a panel of experts and a public vote, places Riverbanks Zoo alongside nationally renowned institutions like the San Diego Zoo and the North Carolina Zoo. Riverbanks was praised not only for its animal exhibits but also for its immersive natural setting and educational experiences.
“You may forget you’re there for the animals as you meander past the blooms, waterfalls and historical sites at Riverbanks Zoo & Garden,” Newsweek wrote. The article also highlighted popular attractions like giraffes, koalas, Komodo dragons, and sharks, as well as interactive experiences such as meeting flamingos, tortoises, and grizzly bears.
Visitors can also cross the Saluda River to explore the botanical gardens, complete with floral displays and a children’s dino dig site.
Riverbanks Zoo ranked fifth overall in Newsweek’s list, which included:
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North Carolina Zoo – Asheboro, NC
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San Antonio Zoo – San Antonio, TX
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Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance – Denver, CO
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Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium – Tacoma, WA
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Riverbanks Zoo & Garden – Columbia, SC
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San Diego Zoo – San Diego, CA
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Rolling Hills Zoo – Salina, KS
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Cheyenne Mountain Zoo – Colorado Springs, CO
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Houston Zoo – Houston, TX
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Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium – Omaha, NE
This honor places Riverbanks among the elite zoos in the country and highlights South Carolina as a premier destination for wildlife education and conservation.