Riverbanks Zoo and Gardens is one of the best, and arguably, the premier, attraction in Columbia, South Carolina.
While perhaps not as big or famous, it’s pretty close to being on par with the most well regarded zoos in the country, and the botanical gardens are top class too.
If you’re visiting South Carolina’s capital city, especially if you’re traveling as a family, it’s a must include on your list of things to do in Columbia.
Fortunately, it’s very easy to access from most of the greater Columbia area, but if you’re coming for a short trip and it’s the main thing you plan to see, there can be some advantages of staying at one of the hotels near Riverbanks Zoo in Columbia, South Carolina.
Read on to learn about the best hotels near the Columbia zoo in this list of top hotels in Columbia, SC near Riverbanks Zoo!
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Should I Stay at a Hotel Near Riverbanks Zoo?
Actually, I’d say no, you really don’t need to stay at one of the hotels very close to Riverbanks Zoo.
Of course, there are advantages to being right next to a place that should be at or near the top of your list of things to see in Columbia. For one, you can get there right when they open and beat the lines and crowds, which is always a good idea, especially because the first few hours are often when the animals are most active.
There are a small cluster of hotels that are located basically right by the zoo, just off the interstate. I’ve included only one of those hotels next to Riverbanks Zoo on the list below though.
The rest have really mediocre reviews, ranging from things mentioning poor cleanliness to feeling unsafe.
So really, I wouldn’t recommend staying at any of those except for the one I have on this list, which I do happen to have number 1 and has very positive reviews.
Besides that, as I mentioned above, I don’t think it’s totally necessary to stay at a hotel so close to the zoo.
While in theory, yes you could probably walk to the zoo from those, the area isn’t the most pedestrian friendly because it’s right off the interstate. Plus, there aren’t a lot of great restaurant options close by.
So, if you are ok with a 10-15 minute drive instead of a 3 minute one, I actually think staying elsewhere is a the better option. That is especially true if are planning to see other things in Columbia.
So, while I do have one of the hotels right next to the zoo on this list, I have 4 others that I think make for excellent, and arguably better, choices for a stay in Columbia that still offers very easy access to the zoo.
In fact, I’d probably recommend options 2 and 3 over option 1 except for those that need to be extremely close to the zoo.
Best Hotels Near the Columbia Zoo
Ok, with that disclaimer out of the way, let’s get to this list of the best hotels near the Columbia’s Riverbanks Zoo and Gardens!
1. Tru by Hilton – Best Hotel Very Close to Riverbanks
The Tru by Hilton is without a doubt the best of the cluster of hotels right next to Riverbanks Zoo. In fact, if you really want to stay as close as possible, I strongly recommend staying here and avoiding the other nearby properties which all have pretty bad reviews.
Rooms here don’t have a lot of frills, but are clean and comfortable, which at the end day is what is most important. There is also a fitness center and snack bar on site, and a very solid breakfast is included.
Best of all, you can get to the zoo in less than 5 minutes and downtown in less than 10. While there are a couple options cheaper close by to the zoo, taking into account the high reviews for this hotel near Riverbanks Zoo, and the not so good one of all the others but number 5 below, I actually think it’s a solid value too and is on par with what you’d pay for nice but not the nicest hotels around Columbia.
So, that makes this the top choice for a hotel near the Columbia zoo, and is by far the best combination of proximity and quality. However, I would encourage most travelers to at least strongly consider the next two options too!
2. Cambria Hotel – Great Option Downtown
I really like the Cambria Hotel and it’s without a doubt one of the best hotels in downtown Columbia. However, it also is a great option for a hotel near Columbia’s Riverbanks Zoo.
You can reach the zoo in 10 minutes, so yes, you are farther away than the Tru by Hilton, but you can still get to the zoo really quickly. Plus, you’re in the heart of Columbia’s downtown district known as the Vista and have easy walking access to tons of great restaurants.
That to me is the big advantage of staying here, and why I recommend it for most travelers.
If you’re staying for multiple nights and doing other things in Columbia, this really is the best hotel near Riverbanks Zoo. You’re a couple minutes drive or even a 15 minute walk or so from the State Museum and EdVenture Children’s Museum, and also very close to the State House and University of South Carolina.
Rooms here are great and the hotel is known for providing great and friendly service. It is also a pretty good value for downtown Columbia, and why I have it as my pick here over the next two.
3. Aloft – Great Alternative in the Vista
The Aloft in the Vista is always one of my top recommendations for where to stay, whether you’re looking specifically for hotels near the Columbia Riverbanks Zoo or not!
It’s a tad more upscale, and more expensive, than the Cambria, however it’s still family friendly and would maybe make an even better choice for couples or families with older children. Rooms are really nice here, with a sleek and sophisticated look.
And it’s just a block away from the Cambria, so you get access to all the Vista has to offer restaurant and entertainment wise while still being just 10 minutes from the zoo.
If you want a couple alternatives in this same area, consider the Holiday Inn & Suites, the Spring Hill Suites, and Hilton Columbia Center as well.
4. Staybridge Suites – Downtown but Even Closer
The Staybridge Suites would also make a great option for a hotel near the zoo in Columbia, SC and also located downtown. In fact, it’s located just off the I-126 interstate you’ll take to go to the zoo. If Cambira and Alfot are 10 minutes away, this place is 7 minutes away from the zoo.
Rooms here are really nice, plus most offer at least a small kitchenette. There are also larger rooms, so this makes for an especially good choice for families and/or those coming for slightly longer stays.
There’s a nice pool and even grills guests can use. The only downside is there aren’t as many nice restaurants you could walk to as from the Cambria and Aloft, and generally this area is a little less walking friendly than the Vista.
However, you’ve got very easy access to not only the zoo via I-126 but also I-26 and much of the rest of the greater Columbia area. So, if you are coming for a longer stay or don’t often walk to nearby places, this could make for the best option for a hotel near Riverbanks Zoo for you.
5. Hilton Garden Inn Airport – Close by in West Columbia
If you’re willing to be a bit further away, around 15 minutes, the Hilton Garden Inn Columbia Airport is another great option for a hotel near Riverbanks Zoo in Columbia, SC.
It also offers easy access to the airport, so would work very well if you have an early flight out or shorter stay.
It’s located just off I-26 in West Columbia, next to Lexington Medical Center. This is also still only 15 minutes from downtown, so really, you have the best of all worlds here.
The hotel is also really nice. Rooms are nice and comfortable, there is a pretty solid outdoor pool, and small restaurant and bar on site.
In all, it makes for a really nice option for a hotel near Riverbanks Zoo that isn’t right by the zoo or downtown.
Ready to book your hotel near Riverbanks Zoo?
Now you’ve got 5 great options for hotels near Riverbanks Zoo in Columbia, South Carolina. The truth is, there are a few more hotels close by, but I’d recommend avoiding them.
If you want to stay as close as possible, pick the Tru. If you want easy access to the airport or West Columbia/Lexington, choose the Garden Inn. If you don’t really need either of those, pick one of the three options downtown where you can get easy access not only to the zoo but lots of other things.
Regardless of which hotel near Columbia’s zoo you choose, I hope you have a terrific stay, enjoy the zoo, and enjoy the rest the Soda City has to offer!
Cheers and Happy Exploring!
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