Saturday we went to the Greenville Zoo and purchased our Zoo membership. It is $49 for a household membership. It is good for one year and you get all kinds of "perks" with it. One "perk" is being able to visit lots of other zoos for no additional charge.
For me and the kids to go for one day to Riverbanks Zoo it would cost $38.75
Saturday's visit to Greenville Zoo would have been have been $15.00
Total for those two outings would have been $53.75. Since our membership was $49 we've already saved $4.75 :-)
Plus, we can visit our zoo as much as we want for the next year at no additional charge AND visit tons of other zoos or aquariums for free or at a reduced rate.
**Important note here: On the Greenville Zoo and Riverbanks Zoo websites it shows that with the membership you get a 50% discount and not free admittance. I called Riverbanks and they said that the price change will begin in January.**
They do not allow drinks or coolers into the Riverbanks Zoo but there is a picnic area along the Saluda River just outside the entrance to the zoo. We plan to arrive around 1:00 PM so I am packing a picnic lunch to enjoy before we go in.
The kids have been planning out the different things they want to do while were there:
Feed the Lorikeets
10:00am-4:30pm M-F
10:00am-5:30pm Sa-Su
1 Safari Buck*/cup of nectar
Ride the Endangered Species Carousel**
9:00am-4:45pm daily
1 Safari Buck*/ride
Ride a Pony**
10:00am-3:00pm daily
5 Safari Bucks*/ride
Spots & Stripes Railroad
(children's train ride)
10:00am-4:00pm daily
2 Safari Bucks* / ride
Wild Adventures at Riverbanks : 26-ft rock wall and coconut trees (weight restrictions – min. 40 lbs, max. 250 lbs)
10:00am-4:30pm
1 climb - 3 Safari Bucks*
2 climbs - 5 Safari Bucks*
| 3-D Adventure Theater** | ||
| A Turtle's Adventure - Now Showing | ||
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The kids all have birthday money and money they earn when they work with their dad. They will use their money for the "extra" attractions listed above and for any "souvenirs" they may want (with moms guidance, of course).
I'll foot the bill for a mid-afternoon drink and snack at the Zoo and then we'll have dinner out before we head back home.
This is a big trip for me. When we go out of town Dad is usually with us, but with this being the week of the 4th our ice business is super busy and he can't go :-( It's just gonna be me and the 4 kids. Still, I think it's going to be great fun.
I'll be taking TONS of pictures and I'll share them later in the week.
Just a heads up1 The pony ride is not worth it. You will see what I mean when you get there. But the lorikeets are well worth it. We love feeding them. It is so much fun. I love Riverbanks Zoo. Don't miss Hot Dog Day next Saturday in Greenville. That is good, cheap fun and I hope we can work it out to go.