The total solar eclipse will cross North America passing over Mexico, the United States and Canada on 8 April 2024. Travellers will be able to experience this solar phenomenon from 13 U.S. states in its path – the next time this is expected to occur is 2044. Visit The USA rounds up the best locations to capture the moment.
The South: Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Kentucky
Dallas, Texas
Eclipse Timings: From 12:23 p.m. (CDT) to 3:02 p.m. (CDT), with totality beginning at 1:40 p.m. (CDT).
● Where to watch the eclipse: Dallas offers a glimpse of the world’s prehistoric past at the Dinosaur Valley State Park where there are 20 miles of trails to explore and real dinosaur footprints preserved in the bed of the Paluxy River.
● Where to eat: El Bolero Cocina Mexicana is home to authentic, regional Mexican food full of hearty flavour. Indulge in traditional banana leaf tamales, carne asada tacos and tasty lobster enchiladas, and wash it down with the restaurant’s signature Cotton Candy Margarita.
● What to do: Take a stroll through Dallas’ Arts District, a walkable centre of creativity spanning 20 blocks and 68 acres. Watch a show from Dallas’ finest performance companies at the AT&T Performing Arts Center or discover the arts and cultures of Asia at The Crow Collection of Asian Art.
Poteau, Oklahoma
Eclipse Timings: From 12:28 p.m. (CDT) to 3:06 p.m. (CDT), with totality beginning at 1:45 p.m. (CDT).
● Where to watch the eclipse: Hike up Cavanal Hill, known as ‘The World’s Tallest Hill’ with its peak reaching 1,999 feet for a front-row seat of the celestial spectacle and panoramic views of the Poteau River Valley.
● Where to eat: At Myers Drive-In, carhops have been delivering burgers to guests’ rolled-down windows since 1972. Tuck into a country-fried steak sandwich, an extra long coney, or a delicious shrimp basket.
● What to do: The gateway to the stunning Ouachita National Forest, head to Lake Wister State Park to explore 115 miles of scenic shoreline and enjoy a variety of water sports, from action-packed water skiing to leisurely boating on the lake.
Little Rock, Arkansas
Eclipse Timings: From 12:33 p.m. (CDT) to 3:11 p.m. (CDT), with totality beginning at 1:51 p.m. (CDT).
● Where to watch the eclipse: Tucked away in the Arkansas River Valley, Pinnacle Mountain State Park offers uninterrupted views to the skies just a 20 minute drive away from the city. Celebrate the eclipse’s totality at First Security Amphitheater, where critically acclaimed tribute band The Machine will perform Pink Floyd’s iconic album Dark Side of The Moon in its entirety.
● Where to eat: The independently run Dizzy’s Gypsy Bistro offers visitors a taste of the South, and for lunch on the go, try a plate of shrimp tacos and crab at The Boil Co. Food Truck.
● What to do: Be sure to take the self-guided Little Rock Civil Rights Tour and visit historic sites including Little Rock Central High School, home to the Little Rock Nine who critically changed the course of history by integrating the school in 1957.
Paducah, Kentucky
Eclipse Timings: From 12:42 p.m. (CDT) to 3:18 p.m. (CDT), with totality beginning at 2:00 p.m. (CDT).
● Where to watch the eclipse: The Greenway Trail connects several city parks across five miles, each offering plenty of open space for optimal eclipse viewing. Shultz Park, presents travellers an idyllic riverfront spot, with picturesque views overlooking the Ohio River.
● Where to eat: The Coke Plant, originally built in 1939, was once home to a one-time Coca-Cola bottling plant located in the Midtown neighbourhood. Today, the art deco building houses a number of small enterprises such as Pipers Tea & Coffee House which serves locally produced baked goods and roasted coffee and Dry Ground Brewing Company, Paducah’s first microbrewery serving craft beers.
● What to do: The National Quilt Museum is a must-visit destination for any trip to Paducah. The museum comprises three galleries displaying a contemporary collection of award-winning quilts and rotating travelling exhibitions. Just outside the museum, view one of the area’s most popular attractions – the Wall to Wall Floodwall Murals – and delve into the story of Paducah’s history through vibrant painted panels.
The Midwest: Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio
Cape Girardeau, Missouri
Eclipse Timings: From 12:39 p.m. (CDT) to 3:15 p.m. (CDT), with totality beginning at 1:56 p.m. (CDT).
● Where to watch the eclipse: The Trail of Tears State Park has 3,415 acres of breathtaking scenery to uncover, with unparalleled views of the Mississippi river from the observation deck atop one of the park’s majestic river bluffs. Stop off at the park’s visitor centre to learn about the history of the park’s namesake, and the forced relocation of the Cherokee People in 1838-1839.
● Where to eat: Locals love BG’s Deli, a Cape favourite for over 40 years. Try their famous ‘potato skins’ or their specialty BG’s burger and sandwiches.
● What to do: Experience the small city through a Hollywood lens with the Gone Girl Driving Tour, traversing the filming locations from the 2014 blockbuster movie starring Ben Affleck and Rosamund Pike.
Southern Illinois, Illinois
Eclipse Timings: From 12:42 p.m. (CDT) until 3:18 p.m. (CDT), with totality beginning at 1:59 p.m. (CDT).
● Where to watch the eclipse: Head to the Garden of the Gods, in the Shawnee National Forest where the blend of a dramatic rocky and dense forested landscape provide the perfect backdrop for the celestial event. Or watch the eclipse with live music surrounded by the stunning natural rock formation of the Shawnee Cave Amphitheater.
● Where to eat: Along the rolling hills of Highway 127, sample the best of Southern Illinois on the Shawnee Hills Wine Trail, home to eleven wineries and vineyards spread over 40 miles.
● What to do: Continue the exploration of Illinois’ great outdoor adventures on the Shawnee Bluffs Canopy Tour with a choice of eight ziplines to zoom through the evergreen forests and sandstone bluffs.
Indianapolis, Indiana
Eclipse Timings: From 1:45 p.m. (EDT) to 4:20 p.m. (EDT), with totality beginning at 3:06 p.m. (EDT).
● Where to watch the eclipse: Enjoy the eclipse in true ‘Indy’ style and view the spectacle from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the Racing Capital of the World.
● Where to eat: Savour a local dining experience at FARMbloomington, where the menu transforms with each season, offering an eclectic mix of delightful farm to table dishes.
● What to do: Visit Indiana’s oldest bar, the Slippery Noodle Inn, founded in 1850 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. A Blues music hotspot, tune in to live performances at the bar every week.
Cleveland, Ohio
Eclipse Timings: From 1:59 p.m. (EDT) to 4:29 p.m. (EDT), with totality beginning at 3:13 p.m. (EDT).
● Where to watch the eclipse: Capture the moment at Edgewater Park, where the city skyline glitters on the horizon and be sure to take a photo with the iconic Cleveland sign.
● Where to eat: For BBQ with a twist, Mabel’s BBQ offers a signature menu inspired by the city’s Eastern European heritage; combining a barbecue sauce which features the Cleveland classic Bertman’s ballpark mustard, and meat smoked over local fruitwood.
● What to do: Cleveland’s Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Museum is a must-visit for music fans. Home to impressive memorabilia from John Lennon’s guitar to hip-hop pioneer, Jam Master Jay’s gold chains. For sports enthusiasts, catch a major league baseball game at the Progressive Field Stadium, home to the Cleveland Guardians.
The Northeast: Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine
Erie, Pennsylvania
Eclipse Timings: From 2:02 p.m. (EDT) to 4:30 p.m. (EDT), with totality beginning at 3:16 p.m. (EDT).
● Where to watch the eclipse: Surrounded by shoreline and embellished with 90-foot cliffs overlooking the lake, Erie Bluffs State Park is the perfect spot for an ecliptic adventure.
● Where to eat: Sara’s has been a must-stop spot for visitors and locals for over 40 years, serving the best milkshakes in town.
● What to do: Erie is framed by beautiful sandy beaches, and Presque Isle State Park is the jewel of the city. Walk down to Sunset Point – the spot to be to catch a beautiful Pennsylvania sunset.
Buffalo, New York
Eclipse Timings: From 2:04 p.m. (EDT) to 3:15 p.m. (EDT), with totality beginning at 1:56 p.m. (EDT).
● Where to watch the eclipse: Just 20 minutes from Buffalo, catch the eclipse from Niagara Falls State Park, beneath the natural wonder of the waterfall.
● Where to eat: A must-try in Buffalo is its namesake Buffalo wings, and where better to try them then at Anchor Bar, the home of the original Buffalo Wing created 60 years ago.
● What to do: History buffs can walk where President Theodore Roosevelt took the oath of office at the Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site.
Burlington, Vermont
Eclipse Timings: From 2:14 p.m. (EDT) to 4:37 p.m. (EDT), with totality beginning at 3:26 p.m. (EDT).
● Where to watch the eclipse: Outdoor-lovers will relish in the sights of the eclipse from Battery Park, overlooking Lake Champlain and the distant Adirondack mountains.
● Where to eat: Shanty on the Shore offers fresh seafood and a dining experience amongst the serenity of the Burlington Harbor waterfront.
● What to do: Swap the peacefulness of the outdoors for the bustle of Church Street Marketplace, a pedestrian-only outdoor shopping centre spanning four blocks of local shops and restaurants. Much of the marketplace is a National Register Historic District, and some of the buildings date to the 1820s.
Lancaster, New Hampshire
Eclipse Timings: From 2:16 p.m. (EDT) to 4:37 p.m. (EDT), with totality beginning at 3:26 p.m. (EDT).
● Where to watch the eclipse: Uncover the sweeping surrounding landscapes of New Hampshire at Weeks State Park or Milan Hill State Park, and watch the eclipse fall over the valleys and mountains that garnish the park.
● Where to eat: Polish Princess Bakery has the best baked goods in Coos County whilst Copper Pig Brewery offers seasonal brews.
● What to do: Take a trip down memory lane at the Rialto Theater, a classic retro theatre but with up-to-date digital projectors, sound system and screens.
Maine
Eclipse Timings: From 2:22 p.m. (EDT) to 4:40 p.m. (EDT), with totality beginning at 3:32 p.m. (EDT).
● Where to watch the eclipse: Maximise the eclipse experience amongst Maine’s natural beauty, and head to Baxter State Park and witness the eclipse amidst the backdrop of Katahdin, the state’s tallest mountain.
● Where to eat: At the Appalachian Trail Cafe try the state’s specialty dish, the staple Maine blueberry pie, or the fan-favourite squash doughnuts.
● What to do: Literary lovers can retrace the epic trip that inspired Henry David Thoreau’s The Maine Woods on the Thoreau-Wabanaki Trail, embarking on hiking trails, canoeing adventures or fly fishing.
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Brand USA, the destination marketing organization for the United States, was established by the Travel Promotion Act 2009 as the nation’s first public-private partnership to promote the United States as a premier travel destination and to communicate U.S. travel policies and procedures to worldwide travelers. The organization’s mission is to increase international visitation to the USA to fuel the U.S. economy and enhance the image of the United States worldwide. Formed as the Corporation for Travel Promotion in 2010, the public-private entity began operations in May 2011 as Brand USA. According to studies by Oxford Economics, over the past nine years Brand USA’s marketing initiatives have helped welcome 7.7 million incremental visitors to the United States, benefiting the U.S. economy with more than $56 billion in total economic impact and supporting, on average, more than 40,000 incremental jobs a year. Importantly, approximately half the jobs supported are outside the travel and tourism industry, including manufacturing, construction, finance, retail, and more.
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