A Brief History of the Greenville SC Zoo
The Greenville City Council approved the zoo in 1957, and construction began in 1960. Bears, deer, bobcats, foxes, ducks, and prairie dogs were among the creatures on display when the zoo first opened to the public. In 1962, a monkey dome was built, and 26 colobus monkeys were added to the zoo’s population. The zoo was fenced, pathways were paved, and a chimpanzee structure was erected for the displays in the late 1960s. Otters, sea lions, a macaw, and two leopards were also introduced to the zoo. Elephants were introduced to the zoo in the 1970s.
By 1981, the zoo had grown from 5 to 14 acres, with 70 animals in 11 different display areas. The zoo was closed in 1984 for substantial renovations. An education center, reptile building, gift and refreshment shop, South American area, and waterfowl lagoon were added when it reopened in 1986.
The zoo’s finances were aided by the Friends of the Zoo. Lee Simms, a zoo keeper, and Gaston, a rare white alligator, contributed significantly to the increase in tourists. Major fund drives in the 1980s and 1990s helped build necessary funds to support significant renovations and establish educational initiatives.
The Cub Kingdom preschool playground opened in 2002, followed by an Asian Encounter exhibit in 2003. Autumn and Walter, two Masai giraffes, were featured in a public Masai giraffe exhibit in 2008.
Sadly, in 2014, Ladybird, a 44-year-old female African elephant, was euthanized after becoming immobile and unable to stand due to a month-long spell of abdominal pain. Joy, the last remaining female African elephant, was scheduled to be relocated to another zoo due to AZA laws prohibiting zoos from housing solitary elephants. Joy, the elephant, died en route to Colorado’s Cheyenne Mountain Zoo. The zoo converted the former elephant exhibit into a South American Pampas exhibit in 2015, initially for a giant anteater named Moe and then for two Rheas from Queens Zoo in New York.
What to See At The Greenville Zoo
African lions, Masai giraffes, and various primates can all be seen at the zoo. The zoo also has a farm exhibit with domestic animals and a reptile house with lizards, frogs, reptiles, snakes, and other wild animal exhibits.
The zoo in Greenville welcomed its first giraffe calf in October 2012. Autumn, the zoo’s female Masai giraffe on loan from Boston’s Franklin Park Zoo, gave birth to Kiko. Kiko was the first giraffe born in South Carolina to cross into Canada when he visited the Toronto Zoo.
The FYI on Visiting the Zoo
A visit to the zoo should take your family approximately an hour to an hour and a half on average. If you want to make a day of it, there are various surrounding attractions. Cleveland Park is just next to the zoo and connected to the Swamp Rabbit Trail.
Because the zoo is so close to downtown, there are many additional family-friendly options nearby, such as Falls Park, Heritage Green’s museums and library, and everything else that downtown and Main Street offer.
Greenville Zoo Hours
| Dates: March 5 – October 31 (Spring/Summer Hours) |
| Hours: Open Daily from 9 AM to 5 PM |
| Things to Note: Last admission is at 4:00 p.m. Gates close at 5:00 p.m. |
| Dates: November 1 – March 5 (Fall/Winter Hours) |
| Hours: Open Daily from 10 AM to 5 PM |
| Things to Note: Last admission is at 4:00 p.m. Gates close at 5:00 p.m. |
| Holidays |
| The zoo is closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas, and New Year’s Day but is open all other holidays. |
| Maintenance Closure (Annually) |
| The zoo is closed from January 31st – February 11th to allow staff to complete larger annual maintenance projects. |
Greenville Zoo Daily Admission Rates
| Person | Prices |
| Adults | $12.00 |
| Children ages 3 – 12 | $9.00 |
| Children 2 and under (admitted only with an adult) | $0.00 (Free) |
| Active or retired military and their spouse (with military ID) | $11.00 |
| Children of active or retired military (with military ID) | $8.00 |
| Seniors 65+ with ID | $11.00 |
Zoo Parking & Location
Directly across from the zoo entrance are two free parking lots. For special events, additional parking is available.
The address for the Greenville Zoo is 150 Cleveland Park Dr, Greenville, SC 29601.
Perks of a Greenville Zoo Membership
Everyone will need to make an online reservation to visit the zoo. This is due to social distancing and capacity, so be sure to reserve your time slot!
Before visiting or purchasing a membership, please contact the zoo for more information about discounts. The zoo offers a range of membership options that are tailored to your family’s size and visitation habits. All memberships commence on the day of purchase and include the following benefits:
- Admission to the zoo is free all year.
- All education programs, including Zoo Camp, include early registration and discounts.
- More than 130 other zoos across the US provide free or cheap admission, thanks in part to their partnership with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA).
- Admission to special events at a reduced price.
- In the gift shop and concessions, there is a 10% discount.
- Receive monthly e-newsletters, updates, and special event notices.
- Paper tickets are no longer being printed at this time. Your yearly guest count will be counted electronically. Please inform the ticket attendant if you are bringing an additional guest.
What Does a Greenville Zoo Membership Cost?
The zoo offers 6 different types of membership levels offering something for everyone’s needs.
- Individual – $60.00 annually
- Grandparent – $90.00 annually
- Household – $90.00 annually
- Friends Basic – $125.00
- Friends Plus – $250.00
- Friends Giving Society – Starting at $500.00
Your membership contributes to the zoo’s work to protect fragile and endangered species, with $5 from each membership going directly to conservation!
A visit to the Greenville Zoo in Greenville, South Carolina, is a family tradition for many. With so much to explore and plenty of animals to meet, the Greenville Zoo offers a lot. Be sure to check out this fascinating learning destination in the heart of Greenville, SC.
