These cities are the best places to see the 2024 solar eclipse — Photo courtesy of LeoPatrizi / E+ Via Getty Images
On April 8, a total solar eclipse will travel across Mexico, into Texas, and up to Maine — passing through parts of Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Kentucky, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, and New Hampshire. With most of our country’s population within a 250-mile drive of the path of totality, cities along this path are embracing their roles as the best places to see the total solar eclipse 2024.
While any location along the eclipse’s path of totality will offer an unforgettable experience, these 12 cities are hosting spectacular celestial celebrations.
What time is the eclipse? We’ve conveniently listed approximate times in each city.
San Antonio, Texas
Partial eclipse begins at 12:17 pm CST. Totality occurs at 1:36 pm.
The north and west sides of San Antonio are in the path of totality and will be celebrating what they have deemed Fiesta Del Sol. For an unforgettable experience, check out Solar Eclipse at the Park, hosted by Six Flags Fiesta Texas, and the Eclipse Party at Sea World San Antonio.
Austin, Texas
Partial eclipse begins at 12:17 pm CT. Totality occurs at 1:37 pm.
Austin will host several celebratory events during the solar eclipse. Join the BIG Texas Sky Eclipse Day paddleboarding class at Lake Austin Spa Resort, or take in the celestial phenomenon surrounded by alpacas at Sundance Hill Farm. Other noteworthy events include The Planetary Society’s Eclipse-O-Rama 2024, hosted by Bill Nye, in nearby Fredericksburg, and Total Eclipse of the Park, presented by the Downtown Austin Alliance.
Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas
Partial eclipse begins at 12:22 pm CT. Totality occurs at 1:41 pm.
Visitors to Dallas-Fort Worth will find family-friendly and engaging activities at the Fort Worth Botanic Garden and Fort Worth Museum of Science and History. Those seeking a more adult-focused event will enjoy the Omni Forth Worth’s rooftop pool deck party, Solarbration.
Little Rock, Arkansas
Partial eclipse begins at 12:33 pm CT. Totality occurs at 1:52 pm.
In Little Rock, The Machine, a Pink Floyd tribute band, will perform The Dark Side of the Moon at First Security Amphitheater. Also, SoMa in the Dark will feature an eclipse diorama contest (for adults and students), hands-on astronomy workshops, a photography contest, and more. Other venues hosting eclipse-viewing parties include The Little Rock Zoo, Krause House Farms, Rusty Tractor Vineyards, and the Mosaic Templars Cultural Center.
Everyone in Indy will head outside to witness the solar eclipse 2024 — Photo courtesy of Visit Indy
Indianapolis, Indiana
Partial eclipse begins at 1:50 pm ET. Totality occurs at 3:07 pm.
Children and adults in Indianapolis wishing to learn from real-life astronauts will enjoy the solar eclipse festivities at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Other noteworthy celebrations will take place at Newfields and the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis, the top-ranking children’s museum in the country, according to the 2023 USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards. Those looking for a quieter experience can rent a kayak or paddleboard from Frank’s Livery.
Dayton, Ohio
Partial eclipse begins at 1:53 pm ET. Totality occurs at 3:10 pm.
Dayton’s National Museum of the U.S. Air Force will host free festivities, including hands-on activities, rocket launches, a live stream of NASA’s eclipse coverage, food trucks, and hot air balloons. Other Dayton solar eclipse 2024 events will occur at the Wright-Dunbar Interpretive Center, SunWatch Indian Village/Archaeological Park, Branch and Bone Artisan Ales, and Discover Classical.
Cleveland, Ohio
Partial eclipse begins at 1:59 pm ET. Totality occurs at 3:15 pm.
Total Eclipse Fest 2024 at Cleveland’s Great Lakes Science Center will feature NASA’s live eclipse coverage with interactive space exhibits, concerts, and a variety of food trucks. Additional solar eclipse watch parties will occur at the MAPS Air Museum, Cleveland Museum of Natural History, Bookhouse Brewing, and SOLARFEST at the Lorain County Fairgrounds.
Mansfield, Ohio
Partial eclipse begins at 1:57 pm ET. Totality occurs at 3:12 pm.
OHclipse Mansfield will host a solar eclipse viewing party at the Richland County Fairgrounds with vendors, live music, food trucks, and camping. Additional opportunities to celebrate the 2024 solar eclipse include festivities at Malabar Farm State Park and A Total Eclipse of the Park Viewing Party at Central Park on The Square.
Erie, Pennsylvania
Partial eclipse begins at 2:02 pm ET. Totality occurs at 3:18 pm.
Visitors to Erie can witness the awe-inspiring phenomenon from the free Park Side of the Moon eclipse-viewing party at Frontier Park. Also, you can celebrate the Zooclipse: Solar Safari at the Erie Zoo or mark the occasion while cruising Lake Erie aboard the Victorian Princess.
Buffalo, New York
Partial eclipse begins at 2:04 pm ET. Totality occurs at 3:18 pm.
Buffalo is the place to be. Observe the spectacle aboard the USS Little Rock at the Buffalo Naval Park, experience eclipse totality at the Buffalo Zoo, engage in a day of family-focused enrichment activities at Knox Farm State Park, or attend Eclipse Fest at Buffalo State University. And, of course, Niagara Falls will provide a memorable backdrop.
Even the smallest residents of Rochester will enjoy the solar eclipse — Photo courtesy of Visit Rochester
Rochester, New York
Partial eclipse begins at 2:07 pm ET. Totality occurs at 3:20 pm.
Opportunities to celebrate the total solar eclipse in Rochester include ROC The Eclipse Festival, hosted by the Rochester Museum and Science Center; Soleil Soriee: Eclipse Viewing Party at the Memorial Art Gallery; and the Solarpalooza Viewing Party at the Rochester Red Wings’ Innovative Field.
Burlington, Vermont
Partial eclipse begins at 2:14 pm ET. Totality occurs at 3:26 pm.
Burlington total solar eclipse events include the All-Town Total Solar Eclipse Viewing Party in Shelburne; the Total Eclipse Cele-BEAR-ation, hosted by the Vermont Teddy Bear Factory; Shelburne Vineyard’s Moonshadow Party; and the Total Eclipse of the Heart ’80s-themed party, hosted by Hilton Burlington Lake Champlain.
