Things to do, see, eat in Bloomington during 2024 solar eclipse

What many people are calling a once-in-a-lifetime event for people living in North America is happening the afternoon of April 8.

It's being called the Great North American Solar Eclipse and it will be the last total solar eclipse in Indiana until 2099. Many parts of the state, from Vincennes to Bloomington to Indianapolis and Fort Wayne will be in the path of totality, experiencing darkness during the day when the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth.

What time is the solar eclipse? Search your ZIP code for a viewing guide

Skies over Bloomington will begin darkening at 1:49 p.m. April 8 with sunshine being totally blotted out for 4 minutes, 3 seconds beginning at 3:04 p.m. The Bloomington area will have one of the longer times of darkness, which means if the skies are clear, thousands of people are expected to converge in the area to witness the event.

And if you're heading to Bloomington for the eclipse, you'll need something to fill the other 23 hours, 55 minutes and 57 seconds. Here are some ideas.

Things to do in Bloomington

Adventures await: Driving and biking tips, big hotel and restaurant weekends

A customer walks the aisles at Bloomingfoods Near West on Friday.
A customer walks the aisles at Bloomingfoods Near West on Friday.

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Melissa Meier looks over the T.C. Steele collection on display at the 10 O'clock Line Treaty Museum in Gosport on Friday, April 14, 2023.
Melissa Meier looks over the T.C. Steele collection on display at the 10 O'clock Line Treaty Museum in Gosport on Friday, April 14, 2023.

Relax in nature: New trails will add to hike options at Fairfax State Rec Area near Lake Monroe

Walking and running along trails through woods and fields are participants in the 2022 First Day Trail Run at Fairfax State Recreation Area.
Walking and running along trails through woods and fields are participants in the 2022 First Day Trail Run at Fairfax State Recreation Area.

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Bring home unique Indiana gifts

Support small businesses: Where you can get unique, local gifts in Bloomington and Spencer

Library ladders at Caveat Emptor in Bloomington make perusing the high shelves easier.
Library ladders at Caveat Emptor in Bloomington make perusing the high shelves easier.

Forget restaurant chains, try these Bloomington eateries

An eclipse and a tasty treet: Eclipse visitors at this location will be 'treeted' to a sweet viewing experience

Jiffy Treet owner Laura LeJeune works on making ice cream in Ellettsville store on Tuesday, March 5, 2024.
Jiffy Treet owner Laura LeJeune works on making ice cream in Ellettsville store on Tuesday, March 5, 2024.

USA Today top restaurant: A huge tree is its namesake. Now it's been named one of the best restaurants in the U.S.A.

The seasonal menu at Elm Restaurant in Bloomington features carefully-sourced ingredients like these boomamoto oysters, pictured Saturday, Dec. 16, 2023.
The seasonal menu at Elm Restaurant in Bloomington features carefully-sourced ingredients like these boomamoto oysters, pictured Saturday, Dec. 16, 2023.

Local cuisine: Bloomington restaurants we wish could have made the USA Today list

This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: What to do in Bloomington before and after the solar eclipse