An Epic Summer
to Remember

Aqua Zoo brings some of the world’s most remarkable animals right to your doorstep! Get up close with adorable sloths, laid-back capybaras, and energetic otters, or say hello to our charming porcupines and pigs. Explore the wonders of the marine world through immersive stingray experiences and a dazzling collection of fish, then step into the fascinating realm of reptiles. With such a diverse range of animals all in one place, no two visits to Aqua Zoo are ever quite the same — making it the perfect outing for families and animal lovers of all ages.

Aqua Zoo does not currently offer wheelchair or stroller rentals. However, if you need a wheelchair during your visit, River Ridge provides complimentary wheelchairs through their security office — simply present your driver’s license to borrow one for the duration of your visit. Strollers are also available to rent through River Ridge, making it easy for the whole family to enjoy a comfortable day out.

Yes! Guests are welcome to bring outside food and beverages into Aqua Zoo. We do ask that you kindly refrain from offering any food to our animals, as our residents thrive on specially prepared diets and human food can be harmful to their health. Help us keep our animals happy and healthy by leaving the feeding to our trained staff!

Aqua Zoo is conveniently located in the Center Court area of River Ridge Mall, with our entrance situated directly across from Belk. The great news is that you have plenty of parking options — guests are welcome to use any of the mall’s parking areas when visiting, so feel free to park wherever is most convenient for you!

Absolutely! At Aqua Zoo, our love for animals goes beyond just showcasing them — we are deeply committed to their welfare and the health of our planet. Many of the animals in our care have been given a second chance, whether they were saved from hazardous environmental conditions or transitioned from previous owners who were no longer able to provide for them. We are proud to offer a safe and loving home to these remarkable creatures, and getting to share their stories with our guests makes every visit that much more meaningful.

Conservation is at the heart of everything we do at Aqua Zoo. Through our Quest for Conservation initiative, we are dedicated to protecting oceans and wildlife around the globe — and we believe that an informed community is one of the most powerful tools for change. That’s why we offer our guests a wide range of opportunities to learn, engage, and take action.

Here are just a few of the ways you can get involved and deepen your understanding of wildlife conservation during your visit and beyond:

• Community Events and Expos
• River Cleanup Volunteer Opportunities
• Field Trips for Schools and Groups
• Resources on Conservation and Protecting Endangered Species
• Special Events such as Shark Week and National Zoo & Aquarium Month

Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a longtime supporter, there’s always a new way to connect with our mission and make a difference for the animals on our planet.

From the skies to the seas and everywhere in between, Aqua Zoo is home to an incredible collection of wildlife from around the world! Discover exotic birds, slithering snakes, fascinating reptiles, graceful stingrays, and a diverse array of land mammals — all waiting to be explored. Want to know more about who you might meet on your next visit? Head over to Our Animals page for a full look at the amazing encounters that await you!

At Aqua Zoo, getting up close with our animals is all part of the fun! We offer a variety of ways to interact with our wildlife family, including packages, encounters, and feeding tokens — each designed to create a truly unforgettable experience.

Feeding tokens are a fantastic way to take your visit to the next level. Use them to feed and interact directly with our animals for a hands-on experience you won’t forget. While tokens are not required for your visit, we highly recommend purchasing at least 10–15 tokens to make the most of your time with us. Best of all, feeding tokens never expire, so you can use them on any visit, any day!

Tokens can be purchased in-store or on our website. Please note that tokens are non-refundable and cannot be redeemed for cash. As tokens are the responsibility of the guest, we encourage you to keep them in a safe place, as Aqua Zoo is not responsible for lost or stolen tokens.

We’d love to hear from you! For general questions or information about Aqua Zoo, simply reach out through our Contact Us page, and a member of our team will be happy to assist you. For press or media-related inquiries, please send us an email directly at contact@hillcityaquazoo.com.

Great news for Aqua Zoo members — you receive an exclusive 20% discount on birthday party bookings scheduled Monday through Friday! To take advantage of this member benefit and reserve your celebration, please reach out to us through our Contact Us page, and we’ll be happy to get you set up.

Absolutely! You are welcome to bring your own food and beverages to make your celebration just the way you want it. Please keep in mind that we do not have refrigeration or heating facilities on site, so we recommend planning your menu accordingly to ensure everything stays fresh and ready to enjoy!

Yes, let your creativity shine! You are welcome to bring your own decorations to personalize the tables and bring your party theme to life. We also provide solid color tablecloths to help set the scene, and goodie bags are included to send your little guests home with a smile. Just bring your decorations and let us help take care of the rest!

The fun doesn’t have to stop when your party time wraps up! You and your guests are welcome to continue exploring everything Aqua Zoo has to offer for the rest of the day. Keep the celebration going and make a full day of it!

We understand that plans can sometimes change! While birthday party bookings are non-refundable, we are happy to help you reschedule your event as long as the request is made at least 48 hours in advance, subject to availability. We recommend reaching out to us as soon as possible if you need to make a change so we can do our best to find a date that works for you!