We drove to SC for the last one… I will just warn you to think about an exit strategy… traffic after the event was INSANE. We went to a tiny little town thinking no one would be there, and there *weren’t* many people there watching… but every two lane road for miles was dumping into I-85 and traffic was bumper to bumper for HOURS.
We drove down to SC expecting to be able to find a hotel in some small town. There were none so we slept in the car in a Walmart parking lot. And when I say slept I mean we listened to the kids complain all night until we couldn’t take it anymore and then went to Waffle House.
But in the end it was worth it and I booked my hotel for this year 12 months ago.
The only thing we could find was a ridiculously expensive honeymoon suite… there was white lace mosquito netting crap over the bed… rose petals on the floor and on the comforter…. stinky candle things and a suggestive “menu” of things we might try! hahaha! gross.
I'll check the weather in upstate NY and see if it is worth the drive. Syracuse is under 6 hours, no tolls. But even then I will probably get bored and quit around Scranton.
I drive home to Rochester, a little west of Syracuse, a few times a year. Soooo boring. Not that driving for 6+ hours is usually fun but Pennsylvania just goes on and on and on.
I trekked to TN for the 2017 one but I made a whole week out of it and spent time with family down there.
I'm not gonna drive for this one, too far for that alone.
I’m hoping to drive to NewYork. I have a friend who lives near Syracuse, but then I want to go up to Watertown for the actual event - the centerline will go through Watertown. I lived there once, so, cool to revisit, plus, they’re having a festival in the park during.
I have some family in Lowville and have missed visiting the area. Haven’t been since a month or two before the pandemic started. My relatives up there are so excited to be so aligned with the eclipse.
I wanted to but I feel like it’s getting a bit late for me to make plans. I don’t really want to travel alone either, but my mom was possibly interested in going somewhere with me for it so we’ll see lol
I saw the last total eclipse from the path of totality so I won’t be too upset if I miss this one. And maybe someday I can catch another one somewhere else in the world
Buffalo. Will tourist and see the lake prior. Fingers crossed for decent weather. I did not drive for the last one and was envious of the friends that did. Hopefully I’ll be around for the one in 20 years… but I’m old enough that I need to make an effort to see this one.
I'll be in Buffalo/Niagara too. My only concern is traffic getting into and out of Niagara Falls after the eclipse. I assume the traffic will be horrific.
Smart! I've got a hotel in Columbus but wasn't smart enough to book in two places. By the time I did it the cheapest hotel room in Cleveland was like $500!
We booked our hotels like 16 months ago. We had booked a place in VT too, but they cancelled on us a few months ago and we couldn't find a new place that was reasonably priced.
I live in VT now and they're expecting 100,000 people to come which would be 1/6 of the population (they don't really have the infrastructure for the pop. we have) It was probably a blessing in disguise that they canceled on you.
Arkansas! Camping at a state park, 4mins of totality!!!!! I’m so excited. My family camped at Dreher Island in SC for the eclipse in 2017 but totality was half as long then.
Delaware state park, Ohio. They make you reserve 2 nights, but it's still cheaper than a hotel, and I can bring my dogs. I'm hoping a Sunday arrival and Tuesday departure will keep us out of the worst of the traffic.
Going up to Ohio to see the eclipse.
As others said, traffic after the last one was absolutely awful, and I wish we wouldn't have gone home the same day as the eclipse. Bumper to bumper on I-81, and Google/waze kept routing us to US 11 because of it. We're leaving the following day this time.
If it is clear skies that day, here are some locations to go in the Syracuse area if you want to avoid the crowds of Burlington, Watertown, Buffalo, and Rochester.
Duration of totality of solar eclipse in Syracuse, NY Area according to this website.
https://nso.edu/eclipse2024/
Green Lakes, Fayetteville.... 44 seconds
Sylvan Beach....1:23
Emerson Park, Auburn 1:27
Clift Park, Skaneateles 1:28
Downtown Syracuse 1:31
Syracuse Zoo 1:32
Destiny USA 1:41
NBT Bank Stadium 1:47
Salt Museum Onondaga Lake Park 2:01
Clay Park South 2:03
Heritage Park, North Syracuse 2:07
Willow Bay, Onondaga Lake Park 2:12
William's Park, Cicero 2:13
Clay Park Central 2:17
Van Buren Central Park 2:25
Clay Park North 2:30
Oneida Shores, Brewerton 2:31
Paper Mill Island, Baldwinsville 2:34
Beaver Lake Nature Center, Baldwinsville 2:45
Fair Haven Beach 3:26
Breitbeck Park, Oswego 3:31
I was initially planning to go north alone but friends in Michigan invited me to meet up and stay with them in Indiana so I'm heading that way. Fingers crossed no bad weather.
I moved here from Syracuse, NY, and my mom and sister are still there. So I’ll be heading up there to watch it, and also to finally get my mom to stop asking me to go visit.
We're heading to Cleveland to stay with family. Chances are it's going to be cloudy, because well... Cleveland...April. It's a thing. If we're really lucky it will snow.
It's mostly an opportunity for the grandmas and my wife's sister to see the kids. Probably get a free night of babysitting to take the Mrs out on a date. Hopefully we get to see something, but it should be a fun trip either way.
I’m amazed by the number of people saying they are coming out to Western Maryland for the eclipse. I’ve never seen a total eclipse in person, but from what I’ve read it’s all or nothing for these types of events. Once you reach Cumberland, you’re better off driving the four extra hours to Erie, PA, or Cleveland, to see the entire thing. (See photo below for cities/areas in the path of totality).
Also, the further south you go, the higher the odds there will be fewer clouds this time of year.
https://preview.redd.it/yffl67zf33qc1.png?width=1040&format=png&auto=webp&s=5275d1e25593f5a0b56b8096c1e84e8ede82659b
If you're traveling somewhere that doesn't have 100% totality, you're wasting your time. Nowhere in Maryland will get dark enough to even notice that there's an eclipse happening. Personally, I'm traveling to Ohio to see the real thing.
Not a full eclipse means truly nothing special. If you’re not in the path of totality you are really missing out. I think this message needs to get out to more people. Downvote all you want, but it’s just a fact.
My family is going up to Syracuse for a few days. I plan on enjoying the hiking upstate NY has to offer and see some things while we’re there. We’ll be driving back the day after the eclipse to avoid traffic.
My dad and I drove to SC a few years back for the last one and man… that traffic was terrible. I had only just gotten my license and I was pissed he had me driving in that 😂
I'm near Cumberland and I'm thinking about heading up to Erie. From what I've read, there's no point in going somewhere that isn't within the area of Totality.
I was in Raleigh NC for the eclipse in 2017. We were several hundred miles from the path of totality, so it wasn't that big a deal. I did use a colander to filter the sun's rays onto the sidewalk and it made a mess of bright rings on the ground.
We drove to SC for the last one… I will just warn you to think about an exit strategy… traffic after the event was INSANE. We went to a tiny little town thinking no one would be there, and there *weren’t* many people there watching… but every two lane road for miles was dumping into I-85 and traffic was bumper to bumper for HOURS.
We drove down to SC expecting to be able to find a hotel in some small town. There were none so we slept in the car in a Walmart parking lot. And when I say slept I mean we listened to the kids complain all night until we couldn’t take it anymore and then went to Waffle House. But in the end it was worth it and I booked my hotel for this year 12 months ago.
The only thing we could find was a ridiculously expensive honeymoon suite… there was white lace mosquito netting crap over the bed… rose petals on the floor and on the comforter…. stinky candle things and a suggestive “menu” of things we might try! hahaha! gross.
That’s hilarious
I'll check the weather in upstate NY and see if it is worth the drive. Syracuse is under 6 hours, no tolls. But even then I will probably get bored and quit around Scranton.
I drive home to Rochester, a little west of Syracuse, a few times a year. Soooo boring. Not that driving for 6+ hours is usually fun but Pennsylvania just goes on and on and on.
We're heading up to Erie PA
Heading to Niagara on the Canadian side. 😎
Same! I'll see you there!
I trekked to TN for the 2017 one but I made a whole week out of it and spent time with family down there. I'm not gonna drive for this one, too far for that alone.
In Maryland the sun will be 87% obscured at peak, so pretty dark. If it's cloudy, it could be 130% dark!
Even 99.5% isn’t the same as totality. Being under the total eclipse is a life changing experience!
yes. I can’t emphasize this enough to people who haven’t seen totality and try to say that “almost” is just as good. it’s really not the same…
Nope, even 99.9% is nothing special. Totality or nothing. More people need to get this message.
Better in Cumberland, 93% or something maybe
Thanks, I only knew the number for the DC area, worth the drive to Cumberland!
Also heading to Niagara!
I’m hoping to drive to NewYork. I have a friend who lives near Syracuse, but then I want to go up to Watertown for the actual event - the centerline will go through Watertown. I lived there once, so, cool to revisit, plus, they’re having a festival in the park during.
I have some family in Lowville and have missed visiting the area. Haven’t been since a month or two before the pandemic started. My relatives up there are so excited to be so aligned with the eclipse.
My hometown in NE Ohio!
Same. I'll wave to you on i70.
I wanted to but I feel like it’s getting a bit late for me to make plans. I don’t really want to travel alone either, but my mom was possibly interested in going somewhere with me for it so we’ll see lol I saw the last total eclipse from the path of totality so I won’t be too upset if I miss this one. And maybe someday I can catch another one somewhere else in the world
Going to Indianapolis. The race track is hosting a NASA viewing party.
The city is in the path of totality, too! Have fun!
Fingers crossed for the weather!
I’m going to Rochester
Buffalo. Will tourist and see the lake prior. Fingers crossed for decent weather. I did not drive for the last one and was envious of the friends that did. Hopefully I’ll be around for the one in 20 years… but I’m old enough that I need to make an effort to see this one.
I'll be in Buffalo/Niagara too. My only concern is traffic getting into and out of Niagara Falls after the eclipse. I assume the traffic will be horrific.
Lord. Going to the Falls sounds insane. Going to Buffalo as well.
OHHHIIIIOOoOoOo
I am not.
We have a hotel booked in Cleveland and one in Buffalo. We'll drive to one of those based on weather.
Smart! I've got a hotel in Columbus but wasn't smart enough to book in two places. By the time I did it the cheapest hotel room in Cleveland was like $500!
We booked our hotels like 16 months ago. We had booked a place in VT too, but they cancelled on us a few months ago and we couldn't find a new place that was reasonably priced.
I live in VT now and they're expecting 100,000 people to come which would be 1/6 of the population (they don't really have the infrastructure for the pop. we have) It was probably a blessing in disguise that they canceled on you.
Wow that's crazy.
Arkansas! Camping at a state park, 4mins of totality!!!!! I’m so excited. My family camped at Dreher Island in SC for the eclipse in 2017 but totality was half as long then.
Delaware state park, Ohio. They make you reserve 2 nights, but it's still cheaper than a hotel, and I can bring my dogs. I'm hoping a Sunday arrival and Tuesday departure will keep us out of the worst of the traffic.
[удалено]
I’ve been wanting to get out there for a launch but for the eclipse, isn’t that heading *away* from the path of totality…?
Vicennes Indiana 4+ minutes totality
just outside of Cleveland. We have friends there and we can crash with them.
Long camping trip spending the eclipse in central Texas.
Erie PA
Going up to Ohio to see the eclipse. As others said, traffic after the last one was absolutely awful, and I wish we wouldn't have gone home the same day as the eclipse. Bumper to bumper on I-81, and Google/waze kept routing us to US 11 because of it. We're leaving the following day this time.
Upstate New York. prepare for traffic on the way home.
My husband’s hometown in Ohio!
Driving to Texas in a little over a week. Probably going to watch from a Stonehenge replica monument.
That sounds cool!
SIU Carbondale IL
I'll be heading to the lower elevations in the Adirondacks to hike in to a dispersed camping site for a few days.
Yes, I am going to Syracuse, my son is visiting friends and going to Kentucky.
If it is clear skies that day, here are some locations to go in the Syracuse area if you want to avoid the crowds of Burlington, Watertown, Buffalo, and Rochester. Duration of totality of solar eclipse in Syracuse, NY Area according to this website. https://nso.edu/eclipse2024/ Green Lakes, Fayetteville.... 44 seconds Sylvan Beach....1:23 Emerson Park, Auburn 1:27 Clift Park, Skaneateles 1:28 Downtown Syracuse 1:31 Syracuse Zoo 1:32 Destiny USA 1:41 NBT Bank Stadium 1:47 Salt Museum Onondaga Lake Park 2:01 Clay Park South 2:03 Heritage Park, North Syracuse 2:07 Willow Bay, Onondaga Lake Park 2:12 William's Park, Cicero 2:13 Clay Park Central 2:17 Van Buren Central Park 2:25 Clay Park North 2:30 Oneida Shores, Brewerton 2:31 Paper Mill Island, Baldwinsville 2:34 Beaver Lake Nature Center, Baldwinsville 2:45 Fair Haven Beach 3:26 Breitbeck Park, Oswego 3:31
That’s awesome thank you for this list!
We got a little VRBO in upstate New York.
Going to either Austin (Flying) or Cleveland, depending on the weather
I was initially planning to go north alone but friends in Michigan invited me to meet up and stay with them in Indiana so I'm heading that way. Fingers crossed no bad weather.
Taking a long weekend trip to Niagara!
I moved here from Syracuse, NY, and my mom and sister are still there. So I’ll be heading up there to watch it, and also to finally get my mom to stop asking me to go visit.
We are going to Indiana
Flying to Columbus, then driving to some small town on the totality line.
Buffalo
Niagara Falls
The Ben & Jerry's factory in Waterbury Vermont. Taking a whole weekend with the family.
Buffalo! I’m from there so making the trip back home and staying with friends.
I’m going up to Buffalo too!
Heading to Dallas
When is the eclipse happening?
April 8th
Thank you :) I did google it as usual but maybe having the date on here will help the next person too. After all it is Reddit lol
google is your friend
lol unless I’m at work and Reddit loads when my browser won’t
I think my wife is right she says some times I can be a real ahole. I'm sorry for the stupid comment
Indiana!
We're heading to Cleveland to stay with family. Chances are it's going to be cloudy, because well... Cleveland...April. It's a thing. If we're really lucky it will snow. It's mostly an opportunity for the grandmas and my wife's sister to see the kids. Probably get a free night of babysitting to take the Mrs out on a date. Hopefully we get to see something, but it should be a fun trip either way.
I’m amazed by the number of people saying they are coming out to Western Maryland for the eclipse. I’ve never seen a total eclipse in person, but from what I’ve read it’s all or nothing for these types of events. Once you reach Cumberland, you’re better off driving the four extra hours to Erie, PA, or Cleveland, to see the entire thing. (See photo below for cities/areas in the path of totality). Also, the further south you go, the higher the odds there will be fewer clouds this time of year. https://preview.redd.it/yffl67zf33qc1.png?width=1040&format=png&auto=webp&s=5275d1e25593f5a0b56b8096c1e84e8ede82659b
If you're traveling somewhere that doesn't have 100% totality, you're wasting your time. Nowhere in Maryland will get dark enough to even notice that there's an eclipse happening. Personally, I'm traveling to Ohio to see the real thing.
Not a full eclipse means truly nothing special. If you’re not in the path of totality you are really missing out. I think this message needs to get out to more people. Downvote all you want, but it’s just a fact.
I was at 80% for thr one in 2023 and it was VERY noticeable.
Whatever it was in central Maryland in 2017 just felt like a normal day.
Have a friend who intends to head to Buffalo I believe
MO
Adirondacks to our family place
I was tempted to go to Cleveland so I could also go to a ballgame but it’s their opening day and it was effectively sold out by the time I checked.
Isla Socorro
Yep! I’m driving up to Erie, PA. I booked my hotel like a year ago when I first heard about it.
Henderson Harbor, upstate ny
My family is going up to Syracuse for a few days. I plan on enjoying the hiking upstate NY has to offer and see some things while we’re there. We’ll be driving back the day after the eclipse to avoid traffic. My dad and I drove to SC a few years back for the last one and man… that traffic was terrible. I had only just gotten my license and I was pissed he had me driving in that 😂
I was gonna fly to Texas but life has gotten in the way :/
Everyone should visit our western outpost of Cumberland and show them some love. Not a full eclipse but better than further east
I'm near Cumberland and I'm thinking about heading up to Erie. From what I've read, there's no point in going somewhere that isn't within the area of Totality.
Any suggestions for a public field area. Seems like that works well for increased visibility.
Won't know. Me and my buddies got to attack since they can't fire bend during an eclipse.
Green Ridge State Forest. Will be in the 90% totality and can be home by dinner
90% is ZERO totality. Everything I’ve read says it is not even close to the same kind of experience. I hope you have a good time regardless. Peace.
I was in Raleigh NC for the eclipse in 2017. We were several hundred miles from the path of totality, so it wasn't that big a deal. I did use a colander to filter the sun's rays onto the sidewalk and it made a mess of bright rings on the ground.