Friends of the Greenville Zoo

Join the Greenville Zoo's Circle of Friends!

Did you know that the Greenville Zoo has a non-profit organization called "Friends of the Greenville Zoo"?

The Greenville Zoo is one of the top rated tourist attractions in the Upstate of South Carolina and one of my all time favorites! It's one of the closest Zoo's to my hometown of Asheville, NC and a top pick for alot of the locals! I love being able to visit all the animals throughout the Greenville Zoo's 14-acre facility that  features wildlife from around the world including giraffes, monkeys, giant tortoises, elephants and a variety of reptiles. (The Elephants are my favorite!)

The Zoo is open seven days a week, except on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day.

From 3/1 to 9/30, the Greenville Zoo extends their hours of operation from 9 AM to 5 PM, giving the guests an opportunity to take advantage of the cooler mornings during the Summer months of the year. Also, the zoo has added a third ticket booth to shorten the wait time for both groups and individuals. (Shorter wait time is ALWAYS a plus! Who wants to stand in line for an hour with 2 kids begging to see the monkeys?!)

Zoo entry ticket sales will close at 4:15 PM

The Friends of the Greenville Zoo is a non-profit organization that serves as an independent community outreach group, whose purpose is to provide financial, resource, and advocacy support for the needs of the Greenville Zoo

• Friend's Society (previously the Peacock) - $112

Free admission for 2 adults plus children or grandchildren under the age of 18
Four guests any time plus 10 additional guest tickets
Early sign-up and discounts to educational programs, camps and special events
Reciprocal free or discount admission to more than 140 other zoos in the US
10 percent discount in Greenville Zoo Safari Shop
Car magnet

• Friend's Patron - $250

Same benefits as "Friend’s Society" as well as:
"Meet the Keeper" talk at select exhibit (elephant, lion, giraffe or orangutan)*
Friend's Gallery - $500

Same benefits as "Friend’s Society" as well as:
"Meet the Keeper" talk at select exhibit (elephant, lion, giraffe or orangutan)*
Two (2) tickets to Sippin’ Safari or Brew in the Zoo signature events

• Friend's Benefactor - $1000

Same benefits as "Friend’s Society" as well as:
One (1) Behind-the-Scenes tour for four (4)*
Two (2) tickets and VIP tent access to Sippin’ Safari or Brew in the Zoo, our signature events
Recognition on donor board located at the Zoo and website

• Friend's Conservationist - $2500

Same benefits as "Friend’s Society" as well as:
One (1) Behind-the-Scenes tour for eight (8)*
Four (4) tickets and VIP tent access to Sippin’ Safari or Brew in the Zoo, our signature events
25 percent discount on facility rental
Recognition on donor board located at the Zoo and website

• Friend's Circle of Friendship - $5000

Same benefits as "Friend’s Society" as well as:
One (1) Behind-the-Scenes tour for ten (10)*
Four (4) tickets and VIP tent access to Sippin’ Safari AND Brew in the Zoo, our signature events
50 percent discount on facility rental
Recognition on donor board located at the Zoo and website

* Important Notice* -- Keeper Talks and Behind-the-Scenes tours are given on specific dates and will be coordinated by the Friends with the Greenville Zoo. Some age restrictions may apply.

If you would like to learn more about joining the Friends of the Greenville Zoo, Visit their website and/or fill out the Circle of Friends Application

Annual Events at The Greenville Zoo

Annual Events

The Greenville Zoo

For the past couple weeks, I've been on a search for fun family attractions and events for my family to visit and I've found some really neat places so far. Some that I've visited before and some that I haven't. Since I live outside Asheville, NC, I've been looking for attractions in and abouts my region. The Greenville Zoo is exactly the kind of attraction that I've been looking for. If you live near/in or arr planning on heading out near Greenville-Spartenburg, Take a look at the Annual Events that gets held at The Greenville Zoo!

Ice Cream Social -- June 21, 2013

This year will be the first annual Ice Cream Social, with ice cream for sale in cones, sundaes and floats along with Kona Ice and many other frozen treats! Join the animals and cool off on the first day of summer at the zoo with entertainment for the kids and fun for everyone - including Face Painting and an Ice Cream Dance Party.

Date: Friday, June 21, 2013

Time: 11 am to 2 pm

Cost: Admission to the Zoo

Hot Dog Day -- July 13, 2013

Hot Dog Day is an annual summer event at the Zoo! Enjoy hot dogs, chips, ice cream and Pepsi - Everything is $0.50 (cents) each!!

Date: Saturday, July 13, 2013

Time: Normal Zoo Hours

Cost: $7.75 for adults and $1.25 for children (For Hot Dog Day Only)

Zoo-B-Que -- Friday, August 2, 2013

Greenville's Main Event – the First Annual Zoo-B-Que, from 6-9 pm August 2. Free samples of local barbeque and beer, vote on your favorite dish and listen to live music while visiting the zoo animals. Tickets - $25 for adults and $15 for designated drivers - are available for purchase at the zoo. Proceeds from this first-ever barbeque tasting event will benefit the renovations of the Lion's Den. Must be 21 or older to attend.

Date: Friday, August 2, 2013

Time: 6-9 pm

Cost: $25 for adults and $15 for designated drivers.

Zoo-A-Palooza -- August 24, 2012

B93.7 is taking over the Greenville Zoo and their letting us in to party with them!! Tons of food, vendors, free BEE prizes and more... I CAN'T WAIT!!! I HOPE I CAN MAKE IT!!!

Sippin' Safari -- September 6, 2013

This annual fund raiser, brought to you by BI-LO Charities, includes beer, wine, hors d'oeuvres and a Silent Auction. All proceeds benefit the zoo education programs.

Date: September 6, 2013

Time: N/A

Cost: Tickets will be on sale in August at all BI-LO stores.

Boo in the Zoo -- Oct. 18, 19, 20 and Oct. 25, 26, 27

Join us for a safe, non-scary trick-or-treat event for kids 12 & under. Adults can come in costume too!

More information during Fall Season.

To learn more about The Greenville Zoo - Visit them online at www.greenvillezoo.com

Or on Facebook 

I can't wait to start planning my traveling list!!! My fiance has some vacation time that he's planning on taking and I'm going to try and squeeze in a couple attractions in there somewhere.... I hope The Greenville Zoo gets to be one of our chosen attractions!!! 

What are some of your favorite Family Attractions?

Sources: www.greenvillezoo.com

Photo Sources : www.greenvillezoo.com & morguefile.com/archive