10 Stunning Places to Watch the 2024 North American Solar Eclipse

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The 2017 United States solar eclipse has come and gone.  Millions of Americans from all over the United States watched the solar eclipse pass over the United States.  Even more, people watched it live on TV or over the internet or some who watched it on TV and then watched it live.  I was lucky enough to be in Tennessee for work (deliberately planned that way).  I got to experience 2 minutes and 10 seconds of totality with my parents.We enjoyed watching the world around us slowly darken.  Suddenly, the world around me went dark for 2 minutes and 10 seconds.  With the excitement of the 2017 eclipse dying down, it’s time to start planning for the 2024 North American Solar Eclipse.

Photo Credit: Bernd Thaller from Flickr

Here are my top 10 places to watch the 2024 North American Solar Eclipse

Puente de Ojuela, Durango, Mexico

4 minutes, 24 seconds

Puente de Ojuela is a 900 ft. supenstion bridge that connects the Ojuela Mine with the town of Ojuela.  The suspension bridge was built in 1898 by the same architect who designed the Brooklyn Bridge.  Don’t worry it was restored in 1991.  The surrounding mountains provide an excellent backdrop to watch the sunrise and sunsets of a solar eclipse.

10 Stunning Places to Watch the 2024 North American Solar Eclipse
Photo Credit: Christian Frausto Bernal from Flickr

Inks Lake State Park, Burnet, Texas

4 minutes, 24 seconds

Hike along the shores of Inks Lake in Inks Lake State Park.  Inks Lake is a short drive from Austin, Texas.  It has 9 miles of hiking trails around the lake and into the rolling Texas hills as well as numerous rocky outcroppings that would make a perfect seat to view the 2024 North American Solar Eclipse.

10 Stunning Places to Watch the 2024 North American Solar Eclipse
Photo Credit: Anne Worner from Flickr

Presque Isle State Park, Erie, Pennsylvania

3 minutes, 45 seconds

Presque Isle State Park is a small sandy peninsula that sticks out into Lake Erie.  Presque Isle has 13 sandy beaches as well as 21 miles of hiking and walking trails along the peninsula.  The peninsula has 3 different lighthouses spread out along it. Anyone of the 13 sandy beaches would be a great place to do an early season beach day (polar bear plunge, anyone?) while watching a solar eclipse.

10 Stunning Places to Watch the 2024 North American Solar Eclipse
Photo Credit: Ken Lund from Flickr

Hot Springs National Park, Little Rock, Arkansas

3 minutes, 40 seconds

Just outside of Little Rock, Arkansas is Hot Springs National Park.  Hot Springs is a historic town.  Hot Springs gets its name from the numerous hot springs around the area.  In the 1800’s, numerous bathhouses were built to take advantage of the hot springs.  The historic bathhouse row would be a historic site to watch a historic 2024 solar eclipse.

10 Stunning Places to Watch the 2024 North American Solar Eclipse
Photo Credit: Ken Lund from Flickr

Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada

3 minutes, 32 seconds

Make an international trip out of it.  I would drive or fly up to Buffalo, New York and drive up to Niagra Falls. I would watch the eclipse from the Canadian side of  Niagara Falls.  One can watch the water flow over Horseshoe Falls, American Falls, and Bridal Veil Falls.  These three massive waterfalls form Niagra Falls and the overlooks provide a great viewpoint of the falls and clear sight lines all around.

10 Stunning Places to Watch the 2024 North American Solar Eclipse
Photo Credit: My 16/17 New Years Trip to Niagra Falls.

Terra Nova National Park, Newfoundland, Canada

2 minutes, 52 seconds

On the eastern shores of Newfoundland, is a small national park.  Terra Nova National Park is one of the last places on dry land to watch the 2024 solar eclipse. There are 63 miles of hiking trails to explore in search of the perfect place to watch the eclipse.  Another unique option would be to go kayaking along the 125 miles of shorelines, rivers, and ponds during the eclipse.  I would love to do some sea kayaking during the eclipse to see I can feel the tides change during the eclipse.

10 Stunning Places to Watch the 2024 North American Solar Eclipse
Photo Credit: Dave Bezaire from Flickr

Mount Katahdin, Baxter State Park, Maine

3 minutes, 24 seconds

Mount Katahdin is referred to as “The Greatest Mountains” by the local Penobscot Indians.  Mt. Katahdin is most famous for being the endpoint for the 2,200 mile Appalachian Trail.  The mountain is 5,267 ft high and is the tallest mountain in Maine and the second-highest mountain in New England.  There are several routes up Mt. Katahdin.  They range from short and steep to long and just a little less steep.  The extra elevation will allow some amazing views as the moon blocks out the sunlight.

10 Stunning Places to Watch the 2024 North American Solar Eclipse
Photo Credit: David Wilson from Flickr

Isla Socorro, Revillagigedo Islands, Mexico

3 minutes, 20 seconds

Isla Socorro is one of the first pieces of land to experience the 2024 solar eclipse.  This small Pacific island is only 51 sq mi and is 370 miles west of mainland Mexico.  Isla Socorro is part of the Revillagigedo Islands chain. This small volcanic island is covered by furrows, lava domes, lava flows and cinder cones.  The island is home to about 50 people so if you are looking for a place to watch the solar eclipse without crowds then Isla Socorro would be perfect.

10 Stunning Places to Watch the 2024 North American Solar Eclipse
Photo Credit: Fred von Lohmann by Flickr

Shawnee National Forest, Shawnee Hills, Illinois

3 minutes, 17 seconds

‘X’ marks the spot.  Shawnee National Forest is in a unique position.  On August 21, 2017, Solar Eclipse, Shawnee National Forest had 2 minutes, 24 seconds of totality. On April 8, 2024, Shawnee will have 3 minutes, 17 seconds.  If you had planned ahead, you could have watched both historic eclipses from the exact same point.  I would have loved to hike the miles of trails in the forest and found the perfect spot to watch both eclipses.  Alas, few people didn’t think of this sooner so you will have to settle for just seeing one of the two here.

Photo Credit: pat York from Flickr

Mount Mansfield State Forest, Underhill, Vermont

2 minutes, 50 seconds

Mount Mansfield State Forest is home to four state parks.  These parks are Little River State Park, Smugglers’ Notch State Park, Underhill State Park and Waterbury Center State Park.  The forest is home to Mount Mansfield, which at 4,393-feet peak is the highest peak in Vermont.  There are numerous hiking trails and places to find some solitude to watch the solar eclipse.

Photo Credit: Chris M Morris for Flickr

Did you watch the 2017 Solar Eclipse?  Is so from where? Are you interested in watching the 2024 North American Solar Eclipse?  If so from where?

It's not too early to start planning where you are going to watch the next eclipse. Here are my top 10 Places to Watch the 2024 North American Solar Eclipse

22 thoughts on “10 Stunning Places to Watch the 2024 North American Solar Eclipse”

  1. Wow there was so much hype about this one but I never really heard anything about the best places to watch it. I think that’ always the most underdone thing – you want to see it but where do you go? Great list and some amazing places here that would be worthy of a visit anyway. I think I’d want to do it in Mexico or in the niagara Falls.

    1. Well, 2017 eclipse is the first one in a long time that the majority of Americans could view. I noticed that as well. There were some local stuff about where to go but no national level ones.

  2. I didnt watch the eclipse as it would have meant getting up at 130am (i take my sleep very seriously) and not sure that it would have been all that great for me to witness being in Australia?! I would be keen to see an eclipse tho, and from Presque Isle State Park, that small sandy peninsula looks amazing. Plus, being by the ocean for something so incredible. Yes… youve inspired me. 🙂

  3. I would love to see the Solar Eclipse – we’re in Australia at the moment so missed the recent North American event – saw it on the internet and TV though – it looked incredible! These are all stunning destinations in their own right, and I think I would lean towards some of the hikes to get out into the wilderness enough where there’s little light pollution.

    Good call on Niagara though – spending the day / afternoon among an incredible natural wonder, and then witnessing an eclipse in the evening. Great combo!

    1. That sucks that you missed seeing it live but I am glad they live streamed it around the world. I will most likely be in Canada for this one.

  4. Wow, great list. There are so many interesting places. We weren’t able to travel to see the eclipse but it would love to try and make it happen in 2024. Burnet, Texas sounds like the place to see the eclipse.

  5. I love that, not only are all these places gorgeous, but so many of them have their own natural beauty in addition to being aligned with the eclipse. Thanks for sharing this awesome list – maybe we’ll actually get to see a full eclipse next time 🙂

  6. Wow that’s for some serious planning ahead! We were only in the 50% range for this one so I will have to save this info for later! I think on the beach in Erie would be nice. Beach + eclipse is a nice mix!

  7. LOVE how prepared you are. This is epic. I missed the one this year due to being in Indonesia, and have been secretly jealous all week. Such a cool phenomenon. I added this to my Future Travels pinterest board — it’ll still be around in 6 years ya? Haha

  8. Amazing places listed here but I would love to see it from Canada! Never been to and really would love to visit it soon.m

  9. This is such a fun theme for a trip. I’d have to vote for Newfoundland – the national parks are gorgeous and everyone is so friendly. (But I’m biased – I went to university there!)

  10. Interesting Jennifer. The PA and VT locations are likely about equidistant from my home in NJ. But who knows where I will be in 2024 LOL? Probably in some far off tropical locale 😉 Either way, noted for the future eclipse, as we only had a sliver of a showing here in NYC this past week.

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