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37 Things to Do in Rapid City, SD (+ What to Skip!)

March 15, 2024 July 21, 2023

Looking for things to do in Rapid City? We spent a full week in the South Dakota city as our base for exploration into the Black Hills, Mount Rushmore, and the city itself.

I have to say I was pleasantly surprised. The food was diverse enough to meet whatever craving I was dealing with that day, and we had no trouble keeping our days full and busy. 

There were parts of the city that were touristy as heck, but that’s to be expected when you’re this close to Mount Rushmore. Let’s dive into all of the best things to do in Rapid City, South Dakota.

Disclosure: Please note that some of the links below may be affiliate links, including links through the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. At no additional cost to you, I earn a commission if you make a purchase. I won’t recommend something I have not used/would not use myself, and any income earned supports the upkeep of this site.

What is Rapid City known for?

Rapid City is known for being the gateway to the Black Hills, the City of Presidents, and a popular base for outdoor recreation in the region. The city itself also boasts a strong Western vibe .

How do I spend a day in Rapid City?

You can spend a day in Rapid City like this:

• Grab a quick breakfast downtown at Harriet & Oak.
• Walk through downtown Rapid City and find your favorite bronze presidents.
• Make a museum stop at the Dahl Arts Center or The Journey Museum and Learning Center.
• Find lunch near Main Street Square.
• Check out the views at Dinosaur Park.
• Take a drive out to Mount Rushmore or the scenic Black Hills.
• Return to Rapid City for cocktails and a nosh at Bokujo Ramen or Independent Ale House.

Fun Things to Do in Downtown Rapid City

We spent a full week in Rapid City going hard on the tourism in and around the city to see the main sights and the rest. Interested in a map of all of the Rapid City attractions I’ll get into here? Follow the link below:

GIMME MY RAPID CITY, SD, ATTRACTIONS MAP!

If you have limited time in Rapid City, you’ll want to start downtown. It’s walkable and a fun escape from all of the people at the big tourist stops a short drive out of the city. 

1. Get some Rapid City breakfast. 

I’m not even that big on breakfast, but I’ll do it for research purposes. My favorite morning spot in Rapid City was Harriet & Oak , a cute coffee shop with an old VW bus inside and a spin on homemade Pop-Tarts inside my belly. 

Flavors vary by the day, so get one of each with your morning cup of coffee and call it the perfect start to your day.

We got all kinds of recommendations for morning noshes elsewhere. Here are a few more for some variety in and around downtown Rapid City:

• Black Hills Bagels : The fun neon signage beckons visitors inside to experience their famous bagels. There are loads of flavors to choose from like sweet vanilla nut and savory spinach parmesan.
• Colonial House Restaurant & Bar : This long-running establishment was right by our accommodations, so I do feel some regret over missing out. We heard great things about their chicken fried steak if you’re into that.
• Tally’s Silver Spoon : A local told us this one was a little pretentious. While I don’t think I want that out of Rapid City, this one has always gotten a lot of buzz for its breakfast dishes. It does seem a little pricey for the area.

2. Meet the presidents of downtown Rapid City.

Rapid City is known as the City of Presidents, among other things (probably). Find your favorite among the bronze statues set up all over downtown. 

The statues didn’t appear overnight. The first four were commissioned and privately funded in 2000. The artists vary, and there is quite a bit of research involved in coming up with statues that represent the interests and achievements of each president. 

Fun fact: William Howard Taft is the only one that isn’t true to each president’s height and weight. He went on a diet for the project to save on the cost of bronze. Ouch.

The Abraham Lincoln status is probably the most popular photo, but Martin Van Buren sits on a bench you can share with him. 

3. Bop around Main Street Square.

Rapid City’s Main Street Square is the city’s gathering space. Expect seasonal decor if you’re here around any holidays, live music and festivals, art installations, and opportunities to chill out after a long day of tourist activities.

In the winter, bring your skates for the ice skating rink they set up when it’s chilly.

4. Check out the weird stuff at Presidential Pawn.

Hear me out. Yes, it’s definitely a pawn shop. You’re not here to shop or sell, though. Spend a few minutes checking out the display cases of unique historic artifacts. 

You’ll find Michael Jackson’s sequined glove, the original negative of JFK Jr.’s heartbreaking salute to his father’s coffin, and the world’s smallest dog.

It’s all free to see unless you get yourself a new solid gold belt buckle. That’ll cost you. The number of guns and armor was definitely a bummer, but that’s why you’re not giving these folks any money.

5. Walk through the Art Alley.

There’s no real coherent thread here and it’s not pretty by any means, but it’s an example of self-expression in a place where you wouldn’t expect it. If you’re downtown anyway, it’s worth a quick walkthrough to admire a space that’s certainly different every time you’re here.

6. See more art at the Dahl Arts Center.

The Dahl Arts Center is Rapid City’s cultural hub. Visit for rotating exhibits that show off contemporary, traditional, and local art or engage with local artists at one of their regular events. This place has a vibrant program of interactive activities for art lovers out there.

Visits here are always free. If you visit on Friday nights, you’ll be treated to some free live music, too.

7. Meet a Food Network celebrity.

Bokujo Ramen is Justin Warner’s eatery in downtown Rapid City. If you follow celebrity chefs, you may recognize him from the Food Network Star . The accolades are deserved.

This place offers western takes on ramen. I didn’t think I’d love that, but I did. Brian picked the one with bison brisket and it was pretty dang delicious. The staff, including the chef, is all super friendly, too.

If you love what they’re doing here, pop by Warner’s wine bar, BB’s Natural . It specializes in natural wines, naturally.

8. Sip on Rapid City wine.

No, I’m not having a stroke. There’s another wine bar in downtown Rapid City. 

Our pick for some wine at the end of a day of Rapid City attractions was Firehouse Wine Cellars . The service was great and the wines were decent. They also have wine slushies in the summer that we were given samples of, and there were no regrets on that.

They’re the wine side of Firehouse Brewing Company, the very first brewery in Rapid City. As the winery has much better reviews than the beer side , that’s where we focused our energies.

9. Drink the best Rapid City beer.

We didn’t visit the Firehouse Brewing Company, but that doesn’t mean we skipped out on beer in Rapid City.

We started at Hay Camp Brewing Company . They had a wide variety of tasters available with sours that were big on the funk. If you know anything about my beer tastes, you’ll know that’s just how I like it. I loved the large tasting room with its cow-print chairs.

Here are a few more for you outside of downtown if you’re interested in a Rapid City beer crawl:

• Dakota Point Brewing : This one is just west of downtown Rapid City. Enjoy lagers and ales at this casual dog-friendly space. We didn’t partake in the food, but they typically have a great food truck program going.
• Lost Cabin Beer Co. : This one is very close to Dakota Point. We really liked the space here. The patio is nice and dog-friendly. We enjoyed a yummy gose, amber, and a few barrel-aged beers during our visit.
• Zymurcracy Brewing Company : We missed out on this veteran-owned option south of the city because it just wasn’t near anything else we wanted to do. It looks like they have a great variety of both classic and inventive styles.

10. Eat Rapid City’s best pizza.

The Independent Ale House was our favorite casual eatery in Rapid City. They have 50 beers on tap and a variety of pizzas, including a mashed potato pizza that got me in the door.

They were also selling a rainbow dessert in honor of Pride Month during our visit, so we obviously had to order one. Our waiter actually made a batch that morning which was very cute. It was also very delicious.

11. Experience Rapid City nightlife.

Rapid City doesn’t have the most vibrant scene when it comes to nightlife, but if you’re not ready to head back to your accommodations after dinner, you have some options.

Press Start is an arcade bar with two levels of games open late on the weekends. Aby’s Rapid City is just around the corner from the Independent Ale House and hosts fun events like drag shows and live music.

For the classiest time in town, head to the Vertex Sky Bar for rootftop cocktails. That one is open late nightly.

More Things to See in Rapid City, SD

You’ll need to drive to most of these Rapid City things to do. If you believe in yourself and love steps, some of these sights are just north of downtown and Omaha Street. These are still all stops we made during our time in town.

12. Explore Black Hills history at The Journey Museum and Learning Center.

See art from native artists and an honest portrayal of Native American history in the region at this museum. 

You’ll learn about the theft of native lands and the city’s attempts at forcing native people to assimilate. One exhibit included a letter from a woman pleading with local officials to allow her son to keep his hair long before starting school. The request was denied.

There’s a decent dinosaur exhibit, too, but the history exhibits are most impressive.

13. Check out a chunk of the Berlin Wall.

Visit Memorial Park for one of the city’s best green spaces along Rapid Creek and an exhibit dedicated to a piece of the real Berlin Wall. There’s some informational signage all around that tells the story of the fall of the Berlin Wall.

14. Indulge your sweet tooth at Rushmore Candy Company.

I dropped $24 on truffles, taffy, gummies, and nonpareils for Brian because for whatever reason that’s what gets him going. There is a lot at the Rushmore Candy Company that may feel like a trap, like the chocolate-covered pickles and whatever Sex Olives are.

There’s also a lot here that looks and is very delicious. Come with the kids if you dare.

15. Visit the Museum of Geology.

The campus of South Dakota School of Mines and Technology is home to this free museum. It’s worth a stop if you’re looking for what to do in Rapid City, SD, on a rainy day.

Honestly, if you love dinos and paleontology you’ll want to visit whether you get caught in the rain or not.

16. Get goofy at Dinosaur Park.

The Dinosaur Park is one of the best outdoor attractions in Rapid City. On top of the opportunities for goofy photos with the resident dinosaurs, you can enjoy some of the best views of the city while you’re here. 

Wear sneakers to take the path up as the park continues work on the nice set of stairs that will get you there in a less dusty way. The drive up to the park is fantastic, too. Enjoy views of Rapid City’s fanciest homes along the way.

17. Hike the Petrified Forest Trailhead.

You’ll see this on the drive up to the Dinosaur Park. Choose from a variety of interconnected trails that give you both city views and an introduction into the prehistoric intrigue of the region.

There aren’t as many petrified trees here as the big fossil sites around the country , but you’ll get a taste of ancient forest on the main trail off Skyline Drive.

18. Find your favorite green space.

I already mentioned Memorial Park, but Rapid City has quite a few areas for you to relax. Wilson Park was a daily favorite for us as it was so close to our accommodations. It had regular pickleball players, too, so there’s decent people-watching potential here.

Sioux Park and Founders Park are two more charming options if you love a good picnic space.

19. Take your pup to the Robbinsdale Park Dog Off-Leash Area.

This large outdoor space is a great place for pups to frolic, but you’ll want to keep them close to avoid the tall grasses. There are ticks in these parts, and our dog has definitely brought them home in similar scenarios.

Walk the long loop around the park, a stroll good boys and girls that stick close will enjoy.

Parking for the dog section is beyond the BMX park. We saw some little kids practicing baby BMX while we were there. It was as cute as it sounds.

20. Explore the rest of Rapid City’s dining scene.

One of the most fun things to do in Rapid City is eat, truly. Rapid City has a diverse dining scene that I very much appreciated. A local recommended a stop at Himayalan Kitchen , and as we are unable to deny ourselves delicious Indian and Nepalese cuisine, we made it happen. 

We went rogue and ordered cheese-stuffed naan, fish masala, and chicken saag during dinner here, all items we’d never ordered before. I’m a paneer girl all the way, by the way. Everything was great. Kick things off with their in-house herbal iced tea.

Here are a few more options if you’re looking for a nosh:

• Pour 54 Taphouse: This one came highly recommended to us by our sommelier at Firehouse Wine Cellars, but we ran out of time.
• Kathmandu Bistro: No, you cannot have enough Indian food. If you’re in downtown Rapid City, this is the second-best option after Himalayan Kitchen.

21. See a Wild West show. 

The Fort Hays Chuckwagon Supper & Show at 2255 Fort Hayes Drive includes dinner and a music variety show. You can also just come by for a free visit to a piece of the Dances With Wolves set. 

That’s all we did because the show itself sounded a little cheesy, expensive, and would have eaten into a full evening. If you’re traveling with the fam, it could be fun I suppose.

There is a ride here called Buffalo Hunt that looked like a good time, too. If we had more time I could have been persuaded to get some tickets for that. 

22. Visit the Chapel in the Hills.

This beautiful little church run by friendly volunteers is modeled after a similar one in Norway. There’s a tiny museum and informational signage on site to tell you how the chapel came to be, or you can just chat up one of the helpful docents.

If you visit on a nice day, there’s a meditative prayer walk behind the chapel. We skipped it because the bugs were killers at that point in the day.

23. See the pride of Rapid City.

I don’t usually recommend stops at McDonald’s on my city itineraries, but one location east of downtown Rapid City boasts a large Quarter Pounder Statue that I would 10/10 recommend. No, we still didn’t eat at McDonald’s. We had better things to do.

Even More Things to Do in Rapid City, SD

We spent quite a bit of time on day trips outside of Rapid City during our week there, as there really is so much to do just outside of the city limits. (I’ll get into that in a second!)

If you’re here for a bit longer, I have a few more options for you, especially if you’re traveling with kids:

• Visit the largest reptile zoo in the United States at Reptile Gardens.
• Take the kids to Storybook Island.
• Solve the mystery at the Cosmos Mystery Area.
• Walk the passageways of the Black Hills Caverns.
• Find your favorite hike in the Black Hills National Forest.

Things to Do Near Rapid City, SD

Rapid City is a great base for day trips out of the city itself. In fact, much of what you’re in South Dakota for is likely within an hour or so outside of Rapid City.

If you don’t feel like driving, there are options for guided experiences to some of these that start in Rapid City. Check these out for starters:

Let’s get into a few attractions near Rapid City, South Dakota, that are likely one of the main reasons you’re here.

29. Wall Drug

You certainly won’t miss the signage for this place. There are billboards all over the highway no matter what direction you’re coming from in your South Dakota travels. As such, Wall Drug is worth a visit just to see this legendary roadside attraction for yourself. 

I’m not even sure how I’d describe it other than sprawling. There’s a pharmacy that suits the name, but also an ice cream shop, a boots store, and a miniature Mount Rushmore. It’s about an hour’s drive from Rapid City if you don’t catch it on the way in or out. 

30. Badlands National Park

You can basically arrive at what resembles another planet in under an hour from Rapid City if you visit the Badlands. These are some of the most otherworldly landscapes in the United States. 

I put together a detailed guide on spending a day in the Badlands , one of my favorite national parks . If you’re comfy on this post, the quintessential experience in the park is the Notch Trail. It involves a ladder up and back down to reach the end, so it’s not for the faint of heart.

31. Mount Rushmore National Memorial

This national park site about a half hour from Rapid City isn’t without its controversies. I’d still say it’s worth a visit if you understand that context as one of the most popular things to do in Keystone and the surrounding area. 

I go into the history and info about visiting Mount Rushmore in my guide to the presidential site , so I urge you to read more there.

The Crazy Horse Memorial is a popular add-on to Rapid City itineraries that include Mount Rushmore, but I’m not as enthusiastic about that one. The more I read about it from a Native American perspective, the more it feels like a grift. Don’t feel bad about skipping that one.

32. Custer State Park

This picturesque gem about an hour from Rapid City is the ideal day trip for wildlife spotting and communing with nature. The park spans over 71,000 acres but is still manageable as an easy trip out of town. 

With limited time, drive the Wildlife Loop Road for a chance to see bison, pronghorns, and bighorn sheep. If you want to hike , start easy with a loop around lovely Sylvan Lake. Aggressive hikers may be into climbing South Dakota’s highest peak on the Black Elk Peak Loop.

33. Deadwood

I didn’t love Deadwood. The Old West town defines the idea of a tourist trap, complete with overpriced gift shops, mediocre food, and a lack of authenticity. If you want to visit anyway and looking for things to do in Deadwood, I have an honest guide to the touristy town . You do you.

Note: Many travelers combine Deadwood with a trip to nearby Spearfish. We didn’t visit, but a popular highlight of things to do in Spearfish is the Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway.

34. The Mammoth Site

This paleontological site in Hot Springs, South Dakota, was such a pleasant surprise. You only need about an hour here, but you’ll be able to tour a dig site in situ. That means it’s in progress. (I had to look it up.) 

There are additional exhibits on short-faced bears and other creatures found in sinkholes around South Dakota, but the real goods are in the dig site. You’ll see Beauty and The Beast, two mammoth skulls that definitely fit that description.

35. Wind Cave National Park

Wind Cave National Park is about an hour south of Rapid City. It’s known for its complex passageways and the distinctive box work on its ceilings. 

Fun fact: About 95% of the world’s box work is found here. It’s important enough that NASA has studied it on research expeditions to the cave.

We’ve seen quite a few caves at this point and this one was neat to see, but unless you’re at the very front of your tour it’s more of a walk through a cave with a few interpretive stops. How much fun you’ll have on your tour can also depend on who else is on your tour.

We had some very young kids on our tour. One had a loud fit, a sound that seemed to carry the length of the cave, and then passed out. We learned later that he missed his nap that day, something I’m told is a sure predictor for meltdowns.

Another surly dad on our tour day was wearing a shirt advertising Deadwood that read, “I’m not a dick. Just kidding. Go fuck yourself.” He had his small kids with him.

In any case, the clientele on our visit wasn’t the best of the best, but the cave itself was neat. The drive to the cave is scenic, too. Watch for bison and all of the prairie dogs along the way in prairie dog towns that are getting hard to manage across the state. 

Note: If you love a good cave, Jewel Cave National Monument is another option. The two caves are just a half hour apart, so you could even see them on the same day if you’re some cave fanatic. 

36. Hermosa

The town of Hermosa was on our list for one reason only: Lintz Brothers Pizza . No, we don’t usually make it a point to day trip out of destinations for pizza… unless we’re talking Pequod’s . 

You can stop by this place after visiting the Mammoth Site or Wind Cave National Park, as it’s south of Rapid City.

We were here for the Pie-Mac, a pie inspired by that one sandwich at McDonald’s. The story checks out. It tasted just like a Big Mac in pizza form. The Bird Dog, a riff on hot dog pizza, was almost even better.

We found this place to be pricey for the size of the pizzas we got, but I’m not going to pretend like they weren’t delicious.

37. Hill City

This is the only one on the list that we didn’t get to, but I do wish we made it happen over Deadwod. This town in the Black Hills looks pretty charming. 

As far as things to do in Hill City, visit the South Dakota State Railroad Museum, take a ride on the Black Hills Central Railroad, or stroll Main Street.

If you’re here to hike, Hill City is a great base for adventurers interested in the Mickelson Trail. The George S. Mickelson Trail is a rail trail that runs nearly 109 miles through the state.

Things You Can Skip in Rapid City

There are things I’d do in Rapid City on a return trip and there are things I’d skip no matter how many times I found myself here. Bear Country USA is one of the things I’d skip.

What is the controversy with Bear Country USA?

The controversy with Bear Country USA relates to a court case where the former owners were accused of breeding bears for the purpose of selling their gallbladders. 

The men responsible for the scandal are no longer there — one died in a car wreck — but it’s still run by the same family. It’s just different offspring.

Now, I’m not against zoos if they’re well-run and contribute to worldwide conservation efforts. I’m more cautious about privately owned animal attractions, especially when there’s a history of potential animal abuse. 

I paid $1 for access to the news articles on the scandal as covered by the Rapid City Journal so that I wasn’t making any snap judgments. Here’s what I learned.

The criminal charges date back to 2006 when two members of the Casey family, which owns and operates Bear Country USA, pleaded guilty to selling bear gallbladders to buyers in Spearfish and Alaska. This was all uncovered by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.

The corporation also pleaded guilty to buying and transporting grizzly bears from Minnesota. 

Was it a long time ago? Yes. Should you be visiting a place that still breeds bears for the public’s enjoyment? Probably not. It’s a no for me on this one.

Rapid City To Do FAQs

What is the best time of year to visit rapid city, south dakota.

The best time of year to visit Rapid City, South Dakota, is right before the start of the summer season. You’ll have pleasant temperatures and all of the outdoor activities that make this such a fun place to visit.

We visited the first week of June and it was pretty ideal. We did get some early summer thunderstorms by late afternoon, but we were getting early starts to our days there. I’d recommend the same.

Early fall is another great time to visit for fall colors in the Black Hills, nice weather, and fewer tourists. Spring can be hit or miss when it comes to rain.

I wouldn’t recommend winter travel unless you’re here for winter sports activities.

How many days should I spend in Rapid City?

You should spend at least two days in Rapid City. That gives you a full day in the city itself and another day for the best Rapid City day trips.

Many travelers only pass through to see Mount Rushmore, but as you need to drive to Keystone for that, that doesn’t really allow you to experience Rapid City.

How safe is downtown Rapid City, SD?

Downtown Rapid City, SD, is quite safe.

As with any city , there may be occasional instances of petty crimes, so it’s always best to be aware of your surroundings, avoid leaving valuables unattended, and use well-lit areas when walking at night.

Is Rapid City, SD, expensive?

Rapid City, SD, is expensive if you visit during the summer. That’s when the city gets most of its tourists, so hotels, flights, and even entertainment will cost you extra.

I found Rapid City to be generally more expensive than larger population hubs, but I’ve found that to be expected. Less competition means higher prices.

Where to Stay in Rapid City

You have quite a few options for accommodations in Rapid City. We stayed at the Baymont by Wyndham on our first trip to Rapid City. The staff was awesome and worked with us on refunds when we had to cut our trip short due to a family emergency. That warrants kudos in my book.

I also have to give the La Quinta by Wyndham a shoutout as they’re a reliable stay for us when we’re traveling with our dog.

Want more options? Check out the map below:

Why should I visit Rapid City, South Dakota?

You should visit Rapid City, South Dakota, for the attractions it offers within the city limits and as a base for exploration elsewhere. We had a full week in Rapid City and it felt very busy.

Rapid City offers easy access to the Black Hills, the Badlands, and some impressive outdoor adventuring. While attractions near Rapid City were more impressive for us, we still enjoyed our time spent in Rapid City proper.

Ready for Rapid City?

Your Flight:  I use a variety of tools to find cheap airfare, but if you’re looking to book during a particular period of time, you should use   Skyscanner . It’s a great tool for when you’re more flexible, too, as it allows you to compare travel based on length of travel, departure date, etc.

Rapid City is serviced by Rapid City Regional Airport. Deals into Rapid City aren’t common, but they’re not impossible.

For adventurous folks who travel on the reg, I also subscribe to  Going , formerly Scott’s Cheap Flights. You’ll get cheap flight deals from your home base straight to your inbox.

Your Accommodations:  I usually use  Booking.com  and  Hotels.com   for our hotel needs. Both offer loyalty programs and now offer listings that are more of the home or condo rental variety, which is great.  Vrbo   is my preferred Airbnb alternative. 

Scroll up for my recommendations for where to stay while in Rapid City.

Seeking even more wallet-friendly accommodations? Try   Hostelworld . Their picks are heavily vetted and reviewed to offer you a safe experience on a budget.

Etc.:  For general travel goodies, visit my   Favorite Things  page. For more information on planning your travel, visit my   Travel Tools  page. It’s heavy on the text but super helpful for overall trip planning!

Love this guide to Rapid City, SD, things to do? Pin me!

On a longer road trip out this way? Check out these posts:

• Make the Effort to See Devils Tower
• Hike Your Way Through North Dakota’s Best Park
• Top Things to Do on a Visit to Fort Collins
• Plan a Trip from Jackson to Yellowstone National Park
• Where to Stay on a Trip to Magical Yellowstone

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Agnes Groonwald

I looked up! What it was like to watch the partial eclipse in Kansas City

The last time a total solar eclipse happened , my eyes felt like they were melting for the rest of the day.

I made the mistake of looking at the eclipse without glasses, and I have learned since August 2017.

The path of totality in 2017 ran straight through Kansas City and Columbia while I was a student at the University of Missouri. The eclipse paired with the first day of class and made for an incredible atmosphere, even if I had to go to class in the afternoon with burning eyes.

Seven years later, the sky went dark once again as another total solar eclipse passed through the United States on Monday.

Unlike then, the Kansas City area did not completely darken during the solar eclipse. If you wanted to be fully covered by it, the closest destinations were Cape Girardeau, Missouri (5 hour drive) Carbondale, Illinois (5 hour, 30 minute drive) and Conway, Arkansas (5 hour, 50 minute drive).

That didn’t stop hundreds of people, like myself, from packing Donald J. Hall Sculpture Park , the lawn at The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art to watch the eclipse Monday. Groups of friends and families claimed their spots on the lawn with blankets, chairs, food and pets in tow.

Finding the perfect spot to see the eclipse

The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art felt like the perfect destination to watch the eclipse. The lawn facing Emanuel Cleaver II Boulevard is massive, and no trees are blocking the middle section, giving viewers a clear view of the sun.

Choosing to visit the museum for the eclipse was a last-second event. Nearby gas stations and grocery stores were all sold out of eclipse glasses, and it turns out I wasn’t the only one searching with hours to go before the eclipse arrived.

The best place to check for the glasses ended up being the store that specializes in eyewear: America’s Best Contacts & Eyeglasses in Westport. The store had quite a few available and was packed with visitors only looking to buy the protective glasses.

They were only selling in packs of four for $14.99. It was that or keep searching and let time run out, so I bought it and hoped I wouldn’t damage my eyes this time.

I met up with a friend in Westport, and we went to the museum. I wasn’t sure what to expect this time. I only remember the sky turning dark and the streetlights turning on at Tiger Plaza on Mizzou’s campus during the early afternoon.

Whatever happened, I’m sure it’s something I’ll remember this time.

What happened during the partial solar eclipse?

Kansas City experienced a partial solar eclipse. In the metro area, the sun was about 90% covered by the moon at the peak. Tons of watch parties were happening around town for the event, which will not happen again until 2044.

At around 1:57 p.m., when the eclipse reached its peak and not a cloud in the sky, the crowd felt the warm and sunny 70-degree day cool and darken, if only for a brief moment. Compared to the 2017 eclipse, this one had a wider path, longer totality — up to 4.5 minutes — and crossed over more populated areas of the United States, but Kansas City wasn’t one of those areas.

When the eclipse reached its peak, that’s when it felt like an average cloudy day on the museum’s lawn. Brief peaks at the sky with eclipse glasses showed the moon moved from one spot to the next.

For a few viewers, seeing the eclipse reminded them of how much their lives have changed since 2017’s eclipse.

Sitting on the stairs near the museum’s art golf course, Meghann Henry, wearing a headband and earrings with sun and moon designs, was here with her husband, Micah Schuele. The couple hadn’t met when the eclipse covered Kansas City fully in 2017.

Henry reflected back to that time when she saw the eclipse with co-workers during a private event at the Kansas City Zoo. She no longer has to worry about the animals at the zoo, but Henry and Schuele both wondered how their cats would react.

“I was having a bit of existential crisis thinking about how much has changed in the seven years since the last one,” Henry said. “I’m like, oh my gosh, what’s going to happen in 20 years.”

Lacy Fox was here on the lawn with her daughter, 5-year-old Maria. When the eclipse happened in 2017, Lacy watched from her office and only had one child to worry about, a 1-year-old at a daycare.

Now, she was able to share this moment with her daughter. The school her kids attend lets kindergarteners out early while the older kids have activities planned for the eclipse.

“She’s getting confused because she thinks she sees the moon up there,” Lacy said of her daughter, seeing the crescent shape in the sky.

Nobody on the lawn forgot their glasses, including myself. It was cool to see the sky gradually get darker as the moon obscured some of the sun. The conversations happening around the lawn also quieted as the moon covered the sun and the eclipse reached its peak in town, capturing everyone’s attention.

Even though the eclipse came and went, it’s a moment we won’t forget.

©2024 The Kansas City Star. Visit kansascity.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Raleigh City Council visits New Bern Avenue Bus Rapid Transit corridor to better understand changes

RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) -- Raleigh City Council is once again discussing the Bus Rapid Transit corridor during a work session.

Monday's special remote session was scheduled to help council and the Mayor better understand what exactly the rezoning along New Bern - which allows for taller buildings and more density - will look like, and what that might mean for folks who live there.

In March, city council voted to implement what's called a Transit Overlay District to the impacted stretch of New Bern Avenue, allowing for taller, denser structures to be built. The city hopes that action will improve walkability and support the future Bus Rapid Transit line by fueling it with an increase of residents - future riders.

SEE ALSO | Raleigh businesses along future Bus Rapid Transit Line wary but hopeful

Non-profit Wake Up Wake County supports the buildout of BRT but wants to improve engagement between the community and the city - and make sure better transportation in Raleigh doesn't come at the expense of its most vulnerable residents.

"We're trying to get folks to understand, you've got to welcome this growth and this is not about a displacement, this is about a sustainable tool that needs to be placed here so folks can have access to all parts of the city," said Wake Up's Executive Director Denzel Burnside.

Burnside said it comes down to having the right voices in the room when these difficult conversations are taking place.

"It's been our work, and my work as an executive director, to make sure we're not being colonial in our approach," he said. "We're making sure we're getting folks to the table, we're making sure we're holding the city accountable, we're making sure we're bringing in power brokers in those spaces to be able to have those dialogues, and then communicating what this is going to look like."

ABC11 spoke to long-time business owners along New Bern Avenue who say change has already come to the area and it's impacting customers.

The manager of Jack Seafood, a staple on New Bern Avenue, says even though he's intrigued by the long-term plan he knows how his neighbors feel about gentrification in east Raleigh.

If the proposed re-zoning for the project goes through it would fundamentally change commercial development and storefronts up and down the bus line.

Related Topics

• BUS STATION
• RALEIGH NEWS

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