If you pretended you didn’t care about Monday’s solar eclipse, the truth is you probably didn’t think to book a hotel room a year in advance or order a pair of eclipse glasses online (join the club). Well, sometimes lightning—or rather the moon passing directly in front of the sun—does strike twice and there’s no time like the present to plan for the next major U.S. solar eclipse which happens in 2024 (and will allegedly be even better than this one). Here are the best destinations in the so-called “path of totality” to book a hotel during what we’re unofficially naming the Great Great American Eclipse.
Mazatlan, Mexico
An off radar-resort town that boomed midcentury, but was later eclipsed—we couldn’t resist—by hot spots like Puerto Vallarta, Cancun and Cabo, 2024’s big solar event promises Mazatlan another day in the sun—and temporary darkness. Thanks to a newfound appreciation for its Old City, an irresistible 12 miles of sandy beaches and a skyline punctuated by high-rise hotels, a younger generation of tourists are already discovering its many charms. Just remember to pack eclipse glasses and sunscreen.
Dallas, TX
Not only is the Big D the largest city within the path of totality, it also boasts brilliant spring temps (the 2024 eclipse happens in April). There’s a whole buffet of cool things to do in Dallas including the Sixth Floor Museum (the JFK assassination site), the Dallas Arboretum (again, it will be springtime) and the bumping Stockyards in nearby Fort Worth. But the best way to see the eclipse will be to get above the city. Try booking a room at the Joule so you can watch the eclipse from their cantilevered rooftop pool!
Hot Springs, AR
Surrounded by oak, pine and hickory trees and sitting at the base of Hot Springs National Park, a prettier place from which to view the 2024 eclipse you probably won’t find. True to its namesake, Hot Springs was designated as such because of the abundance of naturally heated springs discovered in the region in the early 1800s (although Native Americans had been enjoying the thermal springs for hundreds of years). For best eclipse viewing, find a secluded spot in Hot Springs National Park.
Cape Girardeau, MO
Trover photo by Jessica King
As much as we love our big cities, this smaller one residing on the banks of the Mississippi scores points for its winsome charm and iconic cable-style Bill Emerson Memorial Bridge. It also boasts the rare distinction of being among the few places that lies in the path of both the 2024 eclipse and the one that just passed so expect it to have a leg up on the competition. For 2017, for example, a party happened at the Cape Sportsplex featuring free t-shirts, food trucks and eclipse glasses for the first 1,000 attendees.
Indianapolis, IN
A city that slumbered for too long, Indianapolis is crackling with newfound energy these days. Its seven designated cultural districts have been spiffed up by young people and can be visited via an 8-mile urban bike path. Try duckpin bowling in Fountain Square, stroll the cobblestone streets of Lockerbie and check out the funky boutiques lining Mass Ave. Indy’s roaring food scene includes iconic beer hall Rathskeller, 100-year-old Shapiro’s Deli and brunch hotspot Milktooth—built inside an old service station.
Cleveland, OH
A true comeback kid, today’s Cleveland rocks (nevermind how awesome it will be by 2024). Explore the city via a Lake Erie kayak tour, fill your belly with good eats at either the West Side Market or Heinen’s Grocery Store (inside the celebrated Cleveland Trust Company Building) and indulge yourself at the Christmas Story House and Museum (yes, from the movie). As for the eclipse, try watching it from the vantage point of Progressive Field while surrounded by 30,000 crazed Cleveland Indians fanatics.
Buffalo, NY
A worthwhile nickname for the 2024 eclipse might be the “Renaissance Cities Eclipse” as the path of totality happens to streak across wide swaths of former industrial towns—including Buffalo – that are being rediscovered in the new economy. This city has the kind of architectural gems that make even Chicago a little jealous and just try not to be impressed by a stroll down Main Street at night. Buffalo is also just a stone’s throw from Niagara; book a boat tour and watch the majestic Falls turn from day to night and back to day again!
Rochester, NY
Two words: Public Market. This Rochester institution just underwent an $8.5 million facelift and has been continuously operating since 1905. It’s legendary for its more than 300 vendors offering everything from fruits, vegetables, meat and produce to specialty items, general merchandise and—in 2024 at least—eclipse glasses. Try viewing the eclipse from the vantage point of the pastoral Finger Lakes region just a short drive away. Better yet, get out on the water and see the eclipse from Lake Ontario.
Jason Heidemann, Travelocity Staff Writer
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This is wonderful! Looking forward to 2024!
We are offering several tour options for 2024 Eclipse.
https://aclassictour.com/tours/2024-total-solar-eclipse-tours/
Specializing in Astronomy tours since 1980.
Be wary of cloud cover in April in many of these cities!
where would you recommend, Craig?
the farther south the better.
texas, or even mexico, will give you better odds
i was ‘clouded out’ at the last minutes this year!
sorry to hear that Judy. Glad to hear you will be giving it another shot
if I’m still alive & relatively mobile.
met an older man in Franklin, NC who is a totality chaser (whatever that’s called — I forget) & is going to Niagra Falls in 2024 if he’s still alive. already in wheelchair.
wouldn’t that be super cloudy???
over 50% chance of mostly cloudy skies in April per weatherspark.
plus the genius “Destination Niagara USA President and CEO” John Percy says they are considering fireworks during the eclipse which is the most pathetic idea I’ve ever heard
that guy has his hotel ROOM picked out!!!
Same here. At least the next one is in 2024 considering before this year the last one was in 79.
Specially for USA. its rainy season
texas, texas, texas – the alamo, san antonio…
actually, if you pick a town not so populated but along the path, you’ll do great!
why? during the day, won’t matter so much except for the crowds, a semi-out-of-the-way location might serve you best. make it a bit rural and a bit more home on the range touch.
one of the main reasons though, is the night time. a rural experience will give you the gift of nighttime milkyway billions of stars to look at, and for us photographers, a great clean low-city-light, low pollution scenario for some great night time and eclipse shots ?
I live in nearby Penfield, NY. We are to have about 3:38 totality. My front yard and part of my back yard will give you an uninterrupted view from start to finish. I live on a cul-de-sac so there is minimal traffic. If you are a serious eclipse viewer, I can offer electric power for telescopes and possibly camp sites for self-contained RVs. The parks here will be extremely crowded, but I am thinking of setting up 15′ x 15′ squares to give scope viewers room. Just know that in this part of the US it could be 70 degrees and sunny, or 25 degrees and snowy in early April. I would not have room for many, but if this sounds appealing, let me know.
Our zipline and amusement facility has a three-day music festival with camping scheduled for this eclipse. 4 minutes 5 seconds of totality at our location just east of Mena, Arkansas.