9 Best Zoos and Aquariums in South Carolina

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I haven’t found as many zoos and aquariums actively operating as I did in other states.

Some of the best land and animal centers are open to everyone year-round.

Others are only open to private groups though. 

9 Best Zoos and Aquariums in South Carolina 

I found more zoos than I did aquariums.

However, some SC zoos either have an aquatic center with animals in their tanks or will soon. 

1. Riverbanks Zoo and Garden

The Riverbanks Zoo and Garden located in Columbia, SC opened in 1974.

It has more than 2,000 animals on-site. Mammals, zebras, sea lions, gorillas, rhinos, and giraffes. 

The orange tiger (Amur) with the black stripes, which I believe most people probably want to see, is also here.

Now, I’m not as into birds as other people.

However, I can appreciate the Toco Toucan, American Flamingo, and Coconut Lorikeet. 

The birds at this zoo have bright, cheerful colors as opposed to most birds in Wisconsin where I live.

That’s why. 

I’ve never seen an American Alligator up close.

I’d like to see the Galapagos Tortoise and Komodo reptiles they have onsite. 

I’m excited to see that this zoo will have an aquarium soon too.

It’s called the Aquarium and Reptile Conservation Center.

I always like the idea of viewing animals underwater without having to wear snorkeling gear. 

2. Charles Towne Landing State Historic Site

Charles Towne Landing State Historic Site in Charleston, SC is one of the oldest zoos in America.

Well, it really is a state park that rests on marshlands. 

Anyway, the earliest records of its establishment come from when English settlers came here in 1670.

It features the puma cat, black bear, bald eagle, wolf, and river otter.

If you’re there at the right time, maybe you’ll spot a rare wood stork. 

In addition to enjoying the animals, you can walk the nature trails around Charles Towne Landing.

While you do, you can take the chance to observe the beauty of the 80-acre English garden area. 

3. Greenville Zoo

Greenville Zoo opened in 1960 and is located in Greenville, SC.

This zoo has over 300 animals residing on about 14 acres of land.  

This zoo has some more unique creatures than I’ve seen at zoos near me.

For instance, it has the Giant Anteater, a native to sound America.

It also has Rheas, which have a similar body form to an ostrich. 

What I found amazing is the Griffon Vulture.

It’s the only visually appealing bird of its kind that I’ve seen.

It has a bright, white highlight that overpowers the typical black or gray that dominates the body of most vultures. 

Other animals you might see here include tortoises, gorillas, and spider monkeys.

It does also have its share of the lion, black and white lemur, and goats, among others. 

4. South Carolina Aquarium

The South Carolina Aquarium in Charleston Harbor, founded in 2000, has more than 5,000 plants and animals.

Some of the most popular ones you can see here include river otters, alligators, seahorses, jellyfish, eels, and sharks. 

This aquarium has at least 385,000 gallons of water.

You may appreciate the touch tank they have onsite.

Here, you can feel horseshoe crabs, Atlantic stingrays, dogfish, and more. 

This SC aquarium also concentrates on rescuing sea turtles.

In fact, it has the Turtle Care Center, where you can view the process of rehabilitating this creature.

After rehab is complete, these animals are often released back into the wild. 

5. Hollywild Animal Park

Established in 1970 and located in Inman, SC., Hollywild Animal Park holds over 350 animals on its 100-acre site. 

This park has historically included animals featured in Hollywood movies.

You might have also seen the cat in the commercial for Mercury Lincoln.

That company’s logo is connected to Hollywild Park. 

Other animals found here include ducks, deer, swans and lions, pheasants, tigers, and bears.

This small-town farm zoo has even space for at least one elephant since it first started developing in the 1940s. 

David Meeks, the owner of this zoo farm, retired in 2015.

Since then, they’ve still had limited viewings to the public while retaining it as an animal preserve.

They began to operate it as a drive-through experience. 

You may need to contact them to make an appointment with your group to see it.

I wouldn’t suggest just showing up there like you would any public property. 

6. Ripley’s Aquarium of Myrtle Beach

The Ripley’s Aquarium, located in Myrtle Beach, SC opened in 1997.

They have more than 14,000 fish living there. 

Guests have interactive opportunities unheard of where I am from in Wisconsin.

Ripley guests can pet a stingray, hold a horseshoe crab in their hands and even touch a bamboo shark. 

This SC aquarium often hosts dive shows too, and they have a multitude of other experiences to offer.

For instance, Rainbow Rock allows you to see triggerfish, clownfish, blue tangs, or angelfish swimming around in an Indo-Pacific coral structure.

Otherwise, you can come face-to-face with a sandbar, sand tiger, or nurse sharks on the “Dangerous Reef” 340-foot underwater gliding path.

Don’t worry, glass provides a barrier between you and them. 

See also sea turtles, moray eels, the bony tarpon fish, and other creatures who mostly stay underwater.

Then, make your way to the Penguin Playhouse to learn in an entertaining environment. 

The Penguin Playhouse allows you to get closer than ever to these playful, fun creatures.

You can also sign up for one of a variety of encounter programs, which allows you to even come close enough to touch these animals. 

7. Black Hills Wild Horse Sanctuary

A non-profit group established by Dayton O. Hyde in 1988 owns the Black Hills Wild Horse Sanctuary in Hot Springs, SD.

It features a herd of mustangs that live and room as they please on the sanctuary’s 11,000 acres of land.

They rescue surrendered horses and work toward preserving the species from extinction.

I like how they put all they have within them to rehabilitate the mustangs back to health. 

I haven’t seen any news of the Black Hills Wild Horse Sanctuary opening to the public in 2023.

It shows updates of having been closed to the public but open to veterans, which I hope is working for them. 

Animals of all kinds can provide therapy for humans.

Horses at the Black Hills Sanctuary provide the kind of companionship people sometimes need. 

8. The Sandhill Research & Education Center

Two animals featured at the Sandhill Research & Education Center (REC) are the Fox Squirrels and coyotes.

This Clemson, SC center first opened in 1926 to promote the education of natural resources and responsible use of the environment. 

They also focus quite a bit on agribusiness.

Their focus includes taking care to follow pesticide regulations and providing teachings on food and nutrition. 

I don’t see as many animals here as would at a traditional zoo.

However, you’re bound to see some squirrels, rabbits, and birds navigating through its 600-acre campus. 

Sandhill REC also has a research extension that sponsors 4-H projects.

For instance, they participated in studies of honeybees and ducks.

They announced these events on the Clemson University educational site.  

9. Low Country Zoo

At the Low Country Zoo managed by Brookgreen Gardens, you can experience intimate close-up views of alligators, bald eagles, hawks, owls, and more.

Many of the animals you see at Murrells Inlet, SC zoo came from this location. 

Brookgreen Gardens first became established in 1931.

This center for culture, history, and art hosts tours, programs, and exhibits for people of all ages.

It sits on the grounds of former 1800s rice plantations. 

At the zoo, you can experience the “Creek Excursion.”

This allows you to make your way down tributaries of water and witness waterfowl, alligators, and more.

You’ll enjoy the marshland scenery on a 48-foot pontoon boat. 

You also could take either the Trekker or Oaks Excursions.

These two trips send you aboard a shuttle bus that takes you to former Civil War sites.

Here, you will appreciate more of the land, such as the view of the Waccamaw River. 

There’s also a more sober tour that takes you to a cemetery.

This one may not be as pleasant, but it does at least include some spectacular landscape views. 

9 Best Zoos and Aquariums in South Carolina – Summary Table

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