Greenville Zoo

150 Cleveland Park Dr, Greenville, SC 29601, USA

Address:	150 Cleveland Park Dr, Greenville, SC 29601, USA
Phone:	+1 864-467-4300
Site:	greenvillezoo.com
Rating:	4.3
Working:	10AM–5PM 10AM–5PM 10AM–5PM 10AM–5PM 10AM–5PM 10AM–5PM 10AM–5PM

Location

Photos 100

Reviews 7

Julie Lyall

I gave it 4 stars just for size, but I trust that one day Greenville will be big enough to expand the zoo and add more exhibits. For now, adults can get through it in an hour (families would prob take 1.5-2 hours). They dont have tons of animals but they do offer some activities for kids, the facility is well kept and the arrangement of the exhibits is great (winding paths are fun). We also like that the paths are wide enough to accommodate everyone without feeling cramped. We have navigated the zoo with a double stroller and a wagon and never had any issues. There are shaded areas along the trail and a misting area that opens in the hotter months. Our favorite exhibit is the lion & giraffe paddock. It is a much better viewing area for the lions than our home zoo provided - you are very close to them and the viewing area is shaded so it makes a great pit-stop. Also directly across from it and tucked away from view is a playground for smaller children, our kids are small enough to forget that it is there if we decide we dont want to stop (not sure if the zoo planned it that way but it is super convenient.) We do typically spend time at the playground and we love that the parent area is shaded and has bench seating and a few Adirondack rocking chairs...you might not want to leave. They also have a pretty nice calendar of events- imo "Boo in the Zoo" is the best one. Overall its a good zoo for families with small children looking to entertain them for a couple hours. Membership fees are reasonable. Gift shop is overpriced but that is typical of zoo gift shops. Snack shop is very small, but you can pack a lunch and eat in the covered pavilion. Zoo does not offer reentry (unless youre a member obvs). Also the zoo is located in Cleveland Park so right outside the gates is the Swamp Rabbit Trail, more picnic pavilions, more restrooms and another much larger playground for children of all ages. You can make a whole day of it if you feel so inclined.

Brad Johannsen

I hate to say it, but this place sucks. Save your time and spend a bit more on gas and go to Columbia, SC Riverbanks Zoo. This zoo in Greenville is insanely small, takes about an hour to see everything, even with paying attention to every exhibit and background information signs. I think the worst part though is the charging for "food" to give to the animals. There are, I think, 5 types of animals you can feed, such as Giraffes, Elephants, Goats, etc. and it costs 3 dollars for a pack of graham crackers (not really but theyre identical). While its an awesome concept, the problem is that the animals are so far away that you cant get close enough to feed them. We walked the whole park and never got a chance to hand off even one cracker. Well, except for the goats, which clearly they dont care about crackers because it was apparent that their pen was where everyone else was throwing their crackers. The goat pen is littered with crackers. Its kind of ridiculous. Anyway, its pretty "blah" and the feeding thing is ridiculous. Riverbanks in Columbia has exhibits where Giraffes walk right up to you and you can feed them from your hand. Its awesome. Greenville Zoo? Not so much. Skip this one.

Mila Joe

The zoo overall was one of the best zoos ever! Although it was small (and its REALLY small) - all the animals were very active, it was clean, and the exhibits were well designed. We got a photo of Lion walking toward us and yawning (but looks like lion ROARR!) Also the zoo is adjacent to nice green parks. We saw many animals and birds that weve never seen. Overall, a great experience. The reason for the 3 stars, we are a member of Riverbanks Zoo in Columbia who told us it would be 100% free, so we went a day prior to Riverbanks to get our physical member card. After waiting in long line at Gville zoo (it was peak time, about 3pm Saturday), they said we needed a travel pass and couldnt verify who we are (although I presented our photo IDs) we had to pay full price - $9 x 2 = $18. Not much, but then again the entire zoo took only 1 hour to see all exhibits. We wanted to really complain, but we were so excited about the recent publication of our book "Splitting Pennies" it was celebration day, so we just paid and had a wonderful visit.

Jake Hennett

Small, but worth visiting. Greenville Zoo is not the world famous San Diego Zoo by any stretch of the imagination. It isnt even a solid competitor for Riverbanks Zoo in Columbia, SC. Instead, Greenville Zoo is a small, local zoo for visitors to see a neat collection of animals without driving very far or spending a lot of money. Admission is very inexpensive, especially compared to larger zoos. For the area and the number of animals it contains, the price is extremely fair. Attractions are spaced out well, not cramping everything uncomfortably together, but not spacing everything out as to exhaust visitors or take up a huge area in the city. If you live in the upstate area or are in town for a short while, the Greenville Zoo is a good way to kill an hour or so for adults and children alike. They have several events through the year such as Boo in the Zoo, in which children can trick or treat while looking at the animals. Come in with appropriate expectations and you should have a good time.

Jessica Masters

Was there this week and last week with two different groups. Had a person in our group both times that needed a drink after opening up lunches. Last week, park attendant (male) told us it was completely fine to go back into the zoo to grab a drink from the concessions. This week, park attendant (woman) screamed and yelled at me that I better pay admission again before going back in. I explained I had just exited the zoo 5 min prior, pulled my receipt out, but she said that was no good..no pay, no rentry. I have visited this zoo numerous times and taken plenty of groups there and never was I spoken to so rudely as with that employee. I walked away so disgusted with how the situation was loudly handled and so different from last week that I probably will start skipping this zoo.

Shanai Peery

I have pictures of my dad and I at the zoo on the curb eating ice cream. They havent changed much since I was a kid. A thing they really need to thing of looking into changing is the reptile exhibit. that is about the only thing that has not changed since I was a kid ( I am 23) I take my three kids ages 3.5, 2.5, and almost 1. My boys always have a blast and enjoy looking at the animals, its perfect for them. It normally takes us about 2 hours to get through the whole thing. I love the new giraffe that was born this week. He is such a cutie. Greenville Zoo has a lot of unused space they need to put to good work. Its just sitting there.

William Barnwell

Im glad to read all the "critics" on here as well as all the "zoologist" that think they know everything about the animals. Yes this is a smaller zoo as its an inner city zoo so dont come here expecting San Diego or sea world. Check the weather before you come because some animals wont be on display if its very hot or very cold. The zoo takes about 1-1 1/2 hours to complete depending on how long you spend at each exhibit. And by the way ANY animal including your dog at home will show signs of stress when confined. This is a certified and regularly inspected zoo and not like the "side of the road" attractions.