Where Is The Best Place To See The 2024 Eclipse?

On Monday, April 8, 2024, a total solar eclipse will cross over North America. This means the moon will pass between the sun and earth, completely blocking the face of the sun, darkening the daytime skies. Since those in the contiguous United States won't get another chance to see a total solar eclipse until August 23, 2044, it's not too early to start making travel arrangements so you can be well positioned on April 8.

The path of totality and partial contours crossing the U.S. for the 2024 total solar eclipse occurring on April 8, 2024; Photo courtesy of NASA's Scientific Visualization Studio

SOLAR ECLIPSE 2024 PATH OF TOTALITY
Various cities across America are in the 2024 solar eclipse path. Those in Dallas, TX, will get the first view at 1:40 pm Central Time. 11 other states will be treated to the spectacular as the eclipse arcs northeastward. The last U.S. viewpoint will be in Caribou, ME, at 3:32 pm Eastern Time. For a complete list of cities and associated viewing times, visit NASA's official 2024 Total Eclipse website.

You can expect to see events pop up in these 12 states for locals and visitors alike. Due to the expected popularity of these events, many ticket sales have already started, some as early as November of last year.

Perot Museum of Nature and Science in Dallas; Photo by typhoonski/iStock.com

SOLAR ECLIPSE IN DALLAS, TEXAS
Dallas is the first major U.S. city properly positioned for this total eclipse. Celebrations will happen all over the city at various venues, from the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden to the Perot Museum of Nature and Science.

If you travel to Dallas or any other city for this event, book your hotel rooms as soon as possible—prices are expected to rise. When booking, watch for special offers related to the eclipse. At the Dallas Marriott Downtown, where standard rooms are already over $1,000 for Sunday night, you can elect to book the "2024 Total Eclipse of Dallas Package," which includes a welcome amenity, complimentary breakfast, and tickets for two to the hotel's Total Eclipse of Dallas Viewing Party.

North Coast Harbor in Cleveland Ohio; Photo by Victahh1/Wirestock Creators/stock.adobe.com

SOLAR ECLIPSE IN CLEVELAND, OHIO
While the United States will see another total eclipse in 2044, Cleveland won’t see another until the year 2444—making this April’s 3 minutes and 50 seconds of totality extra special. A whole weekend of events is planned in celebration.

The day before the eclipse, The Cleveland Orchestra will give a free performance at North Coast Harbor in downtown Cleveland. This performance is part of the Total Eclipse Fest hosted by the Great Lakes Science Center. Other planned activities include "hands-on science activities," food vendors, entertainment, and a chance to interact with NASA experts and learn how NASA studies the sun and uses that information to understand how it affects Earth.

The Cleveland Museum of Natural History will also host a weekend of events designed to attract guests of all ages. Friday night offers special planetarium shows and meet-and-greets with scientists, not to mention a party atmosphere with entertainment and a cash bar. Eclipse Family Days will offer educational, family-friendly fun over the weekend. The festivities culminate on Monday at Wade Oval with the "Total on the Oval Watch Party."

SAFETY
Wherever you go to view the eclipse, ensuring you have the appropriate eye protection is vital. NASA warns that regular sunglasses are not sufficient protection and adds an additional warning for photographers or those looking to enchase their view: "Viewing any part of the bright Sun through a camera lens, binoculars, or a telescope without a special-purpose solar filter secured over the front of the optics will instantly cause severe eye injury."

NASA gives specific recommendations for what types of eye protection to buy, where to get solar eclipse glasses, and even links to a list of legitimate manufacturers, many of which conveniently sell on Amazon.