The State Museum hosts several exhibitions each year geared to children and a new Childrens' Museum is in the advanced stages of development. Area parks and recreation departments organize sports leagues and arts and crafts programs for children. A favorite of young and old alike is the Riverbanks Zoo and Botanical Garden . The zoo ranks among the top ten zoos in the nation and is adding several new habitats. It recently opened the Botanical Garden, which has become a showcase for South Carolina's varied horticulture.
Sports fans find plenty to cheer about in The Midlands .
There is Gamecock football, basketball, baseball, and soccer for male and female teams. The Capital City Bombers, a farm team, provides spring and summer entertainment. The city will soon have a new professional hockey team, The Columbia Inferno. Many Midlands residents are also fans of the Carolina Panthers, the Charlotte-based NFL franchise. And for top-grade professional ball, many residents enjoy a day trip to see the Braves play in Atlanta.