10 Places Near Greenville Where You Can See Animals Up Close

Looking for a zoo or aquarium to explore near you? What kid doesn’t love getting up close and personal with a gray wolf, black bear, a giant shark, or a creepy tarantula? Which is why you might be thinking, “where are all the zoos and aquariums near me?” If you live near Upstate, SC, you’ve found the list you’re looking for.

Families can check out all of those animals and more with the many zoos, nature centers, and aquariums all within a two-and-a-half-hour drive or less from Greenville, SC. This list includes zoos and aquariums in Greenville, SC, Columbia, SC, Atlanta, GA, Charlotte, NC, and Western North Carolina.

Pack drinks and lunches and hit the road for a memorable trip learning about all kinds of animals! And if you have a membership to a zoo, nature center, or aquarium that is a member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), you will often be able to receive free or discounted tickets to one of them outside your home city. (Note: it is crucial to check beforehand if your membership is received for reciprocal benefits before you go)

• About: A local favorite of course is the Greenville Zoo. Families love this place because it’s not huge, making it manageable for even the smallest kids, yet they have a lot of cool animals like giraffes, snakes, lions, and monkeys.
• Distance: It’s in Greenville, so zero miles.
• Price: Online prices are $12/adults, $9/kids ages 3-12, free/2 and under with a paid adult; gate prices are $14/adult, $11/kids ages 3-12; members are free. AZA member

• About: The RMSC has lots of animals in the Harrison Building and the Living History Farm, which are open during certain days of Afternoon Exploration and Summer Adventure.
• Distance: Also in Greenville, so local.
• Price: Price varies based on program. Generally free for members.

• About: The Riverbanks Zoo is a fairly large zoo with seals, penguins, bears, and an awesome outdoor play area with a splash pad in the summer. It’s located in Columbia, SC.
• Distance: 1.5 hours from Greenville
• Price: $24.99/adults, $21.99/kids ages 2-12, free/younger than two-years-old; tickets are half-price for families with a Greenville Zoo membership. AZA member.

• About: Located near Asheville, the WNC Nature Center is unique because almost all its animals are local to the area. It’s not too big either, which makes it easy to see everything, and there are natural playgrounds scattered throughout the center and a little petting zoo that kids will love.
• Distance: 1.5 hours from Greenville
• Price: $13.95/ages 13+, $9.95/kids ages 3-12, free/ two and under; if you have a membership to the Greenville Zoo or the RMSC, you may be able to get in free, just call ahead

• About: An easy day trip from Greenville, the Carolina Raptor Center is home to falcons, hawks, owls, eagles and vultures from all over the world. Visitors can view these magnificent raptors up close, and learn about their individual stories and unique characteristics that help them survive in the wild.
• Distance: Just under two hours from Greenville
• Price: $12 adults, $10 seniors, teachers, military, $8 for Students ages 4 and up, Free for children ages 3 and under.

• About: Primarily an education and research facility, the aquarium and shark lab has a large shark tank, and over 275 invertebrates, fish, reptiles, and salamanders. Lots of opportunities to touch the animals as well as watch shark feedings. We visited and had a blast! Check out our review of Team ECCO!
• Distance: 1 hour from Greenville
• Price: $6.75/adult, $4.75/ages 1-4, free/kids under one-year-old

• About: With over 10 interactive exhibits to explore at this aquarium, you can spend all day here. Check the website for feeding times, events, and new exhibits.
• Distance: 1.45 hours from Greenville
• Price: $18.99/adult, $15.99/kids ages 3-12; free/under 2; AZA member.

• About: This aquarium is the largest in the nation and houses a whale shark, bottlenose dolphins, sea horses, sea lions, and thousands more. There is a huge viewing area where kids will be mesmerized by the sea life.
• Distance: 2.5 hours from Greenville
• Price: $42.99/adults and children, free/two and under

• About: This large zoo is home to some adorable pandas, lions, giraffes, bears, tigers and a lot more. You could easily spend an entire day at this zoo
• Distance: 2.5 hours from Greenville
• Price: Admission prices depend on the day and time of your visit. Admission for adults ranges from $26.45 to $30.95, Admission for children 3 to 11 ranges from $21.20 to $24.45.

• About: You’ll find hiking, interactive exhibits, gardens, and wetlands habitats at the Chattahoochee Nature Center just outside of Atlanta.
• Distance: 2.5 hours from Greenville
• Price: $15/adults, $11/students ages 13-18, $9/kids ages 3-12