As you visit Riverbanks Zoo & Garden in Columbia, South Carolina, you'll realize how thoughtfully planned this place is designed. Wherever you look there is something to see. From the more than 2,000 gorgeous animals in the zoo to the pastoral botanical gardens and everything in between — there is truly something for everyone at this amazing family-friendly park in South Carolina.

It's visitors' choice here at Riverbanks Zoo and Garden. Here you can watch zebras, giraffes, and ostriches wander around on a two-acre reproduction of an African savanna.

In addition, a variety of endangered Asian animals are present, including babirusas, tigers, a tapir, siamangs, and Komodo dragons.

Follow these king penguins along to see what life this magnificent place reveals. Can you keep up?

The king penguins are unusual in that they don't build nests. They incubate the eggs on their feet. What?????

The plains zebras are keeping in step. Other African animals include lions, giraffes, hamadryas baboons, ostriches, meerkats, gorillas, and white rhinos.

Living in small family groups of four to nine animals, these zebras are common throughout Africa.

Here you can mingle with the marsupials in the Kangaroo Walkabout. Other Australian animals include koalas, lorikeets, and red-necked wallabies.

This red kangaroo isn't letting go of her joey any time soon.

Neither is the Caribbean flamingo, at least for a while. Feel the love as she nurtures her fuzzy chick.

During the spring, these beautiful birds exhibit elaborate ritualized courtship displays, resulting in more baby chicks.

And as much as this African Lion wants to protect his cubs, it's only a matter of time.

And off they will wander into the wild blue.

Catch a glimpse while you can.

Before you know it — they'll be hanging out with their friends.

And climbing up into dangerous places, swinging wildly up into this Sky-High Safari challenge.

Or going 'round and 'round for a laugh and a song on the Endangered Species Carousel.

Or how about a movie in the spaceship-shaped amphitheater?

In the mood to get wet?

The Riverbanks Botanical Gardens is home to the Waterfall Junction, where you can cool off under a 25-foot cascading waterfall.

And if that's not enough — here folks can also pop in and out of rabbit holes, unearth a life-size replica of T-Rex, and play in giant tree houses.

This scilla peruviana is most definitely in bloom.

What a stunning sight, and this is only one of the thousands of flowers on display.

Also, make a special effort to go during the holidays to see

this magical light display.

The Riverbanks Zoo & Garden in Columbia, South Carolina is open daily. But to see everything, it might take more than one trip. Are you more interested in gardens? South Carolina is home to many more botanical gardens. Whatever family-fun you desire is sure to be found in The Palmetto State.