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. Riverbanks Zoo and Garden not only serves to protect rare and endangered wildlife and wild places, but also is caretaker to a number of Civil War era historic sites located within the Zoo on both sides of the river including: Saluda Factory Interpretive Center, Covered Bridge Abutments, Camp Sorghum, Saluda Factory Historic District and Sherman's Rock.

The Riverbanks Zoo and Garden is located on 170 acres along the Saluda River, and it is home to more than 2,000 animals. The animals are spread out over 8 habitats, and visitors interested in an interactive experience can feed the giraffes and lorikeets or spend some time in the kangaroo enclosure. Seventy acres of the property are dedicated to a lush botanical garden, where 4,200 species of plants are spread out over several themed gardens. Other activities on the grounds include a zip-line, a vertical rope course, a climbing wall, a carousal, and a 3-acre children's play area.

The Riverbanks Zoo and Garden is a 170-acre zoo, aquarium, and botanical garden located at 500 Wildlife Parkway, along the Saluda River, in Columbia, South Carolina, USA.Riverbanks Zoo and Garden is an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. Riverbanks Zoo and Garden is South Carolina's largest gated attraction, averaging 1,000,000 visitors each year. Riverbanks is a four-time winner of the Southeastern Tourism Society's Shining Example Award as the southeast's top tourist attraction and a two-time winner of the SC Parks Recreation and Tourism Governor's Cup Award as South Carolina's Leading Attraction. The Zoo is home to over 3,000 animals, with collections of mammals, birds, reptiles and fish. Recent additions to the Zoo include exhibits for African elephants, gorillas and koalas.Riverbanks also has a 70-acre botanical garden with more than 4,200 species of native and exotic plants.A trail system lets visitors explore several kilometers of bottomland and upland mixed hardwood forests.