Happy Birthday Lion Kings!

This past Saturday we visited our favorite outdoor attraction in Columbia, the Riverbanks Zoo. Little that we knew it was the 1 year anniversary for the most beloved cubs in the South!

Cats will be cats no matter the size…The cubs were playing, clawing on the hanging chain, purring and occasionally fighting to establish their dominance. Too bad they’ll be sent away to other zoos…

News and latest attractions

• The very popular Sea Lions exhibit is gone (sea lions have been transferred to the Chicago Zoo) to make room for a more modern facility that will provide a natural sea-water pool and underwater viewing. The zoo hopes to have it open in 3 years.

• Older children can now climb a 26 foot rock wall (weight requirement min. 40 lbs) set right in front of the playground. One climb is 3 Safari Bucks (2 climbs for $5)

• New 3D movie “A Turtle’s Adventure” ($2)
Experience beautiful coral reefs and ocean canyons in the mysterious and unpredictable deep-sea world. Join baby turtles on an adventure that includes giant sharks, huge octopuses and frightening sea eels!

Riverbanks Zoo 2009 Best of the Best

• Best deal – Get the 10 safari buck for $8. If you live in South Carolina get the membership (I recommend the $69 family which covers 2 adults or grandparents and all the children or grandchildren). It will pay for itself after 2 family visits.

• Most fun for girls - pony rides ($5)
• Most fun for boys - rock climbing ($3, new)
• Most fun for toddlers and preschoolers: Merry-go-around ($1, adults ride free)

• Best animal show – Houdini the Hawk demonstrating his hunting skills (daily at 1:30PM in the main piazza, free)

• Cheapest kids entertainment - Feeding the goats ($0.25 or free if you don’t mind foraging). These beauties have a bottomless appetite and will do all sorts of stunts to get your attention. There’s ample leftover food on the ground near the feeding stations to feed the beasts. Kids love it!

• Best place to eat – Kenya Café.

• Best outdoor exhibit - Holler monkeys - unusual entertainment, spacious, shaded, a variety of food and kids can run around safely)

• Best indoor exhibit - Gorillas – Fascinating animals, you can watch them relax, eat and play. There are interactive educational stations for kids to play with.

Things to avoid or be mindful about:

• Feeding the giraffes ($1) – They are very picky, get satiated fast and sometimes wont even bother coming close. When they do your (little) kids may be too scared to do anything…
• Feeding the lorikeets ($1) – Unless you go early morning when they are hungry you wont get a lot of action (at least not the kind you want anyway).
• Most overrated exhibit – tigers. They stay hidden most of the time and when visible they just nap…like any respectful cat will do, of course! Same thing could be said about the alligator and the koala bears.

The Riverbanks Zoo is open daily 9AM - 5PM (6PM in the summer). General admission is adults $9.75, children (3-12 years) $7.25, military and seniors $8.75.

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