If you’re in the right place at the right time on Monday, April 8, you can catch a glimpse of something rare — a total solar eclipse. But many people will have the same idea, so the sooner you make your travel plans the better.
According to NASA, a total solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes between the sun and the earth, completely blocking the sun’s face. The sky will darken as if it were dawn or dusk.
The eclipse will cross North America, passing over Mexico, the United States and Canada. It will stretch along the United States from Texas to Maine on the afternoon of April 8. Many communities have special events planned. Here’s a sample. Wherever you view the eclipse, make sure you’re wearing specialized eye protection designed for safe solar viewing.
If you want to experience the eclipse under open skies in a rural location, there are lots of options in Texas. For example, the Reveille Peak Ranch, about an hour from Austin in the Hill Country, is hosting an eclipse festival from April 5-9. It will celebrate the state’s history as a hub of space exploration, with music, art installations and interactive technology. In Dallas, the Perot Museum of Nature and Science will mark the eclipse with an event featuring more than 20 astronomers, hands-on STEM activities, live music and games. Eclipse glasses will be provided for all attendees.
Cleveland’s Total Eclipse Fest will take place from April 6-8 at North Coast Harbor, on the shores of Lake Erie. There’ll be activities organized by the Great Lakes Science Center and experts from NASA will be on hand. The Cleveland Orchestra will perform a free “Out of This World” concert that will include the theme from “2001: A Space Odyssey” and music from “Star Wars,” paired with images from the Hubble Space Telescope and International Space Station.
How about viewing the eclipse with one of the world’s great natural wonders as a backdrop? Both the U.S. and Canadian sides of Niagara Falls will offer great viewing spots. Niagara Falls State Park, on the border between the United States and Canada, is one of the many places to see the eclipse. On the U.S. side, beginning on April 4 and running through the eclipse, there’ll be free programs and exhibits featuring scientists and NASA astronauts at several sites in the city of Niagara Falls.
In northern Vermont, the Jay Peak ski resort is holding a two-day Whiteout to mark the eclipse. Events include a concert on April 7 by Pink Talking Fish, a tribute band that plays the music of Pink Floyd, Talking Heads and Phish. On April 8, in the hour leading up to the eclipse, the band will perform Pink Floyd’s “Dark Side of the Moon” album in its entirety. Jay Peak’s tram will bring people to the summit of the mountain for eclipse viewing.
For help navigating any travel plans, contact us.
Journeys Travel Group 