It’s a once-in-a-generation, out-of-this-world event, so make sure you and your family have a front-row seat
“Eclipses are such incredible events,” says Tyghe Trimble, editor-in-chief of Fatherly.com. One of the most unforgettable family bonding experiences, the phenomenon is far more than just a sight to see or a travel photo backdrop. “To raise your gaze together is to bond over aspects of the world that are out of reach,” he says. “It’s a teaching moment.”
For Trimble and many other amateur sky-watchers, this year presents a golden travel opportunity: On April 8, a full solar eclipse will be visible across part of North America for only the third time since 1990 (this month’s is projected to have twice the duration of the last eclipse the U.S. experienced, in 2017).
And in an era when it’s possible, funds allowing, to visit almost any place in the world, chasing planetary and astronomical events makes for a travel experience like no other. Northern lights activity, for example, will be at its strongest for two decades in 2024. Meanwhile my family and I had an unforgettable moment in New England last summer, watching the Perseid meteor shower stream over the Atlantic Ocean on a clear, pitch-black night. And while my stargazing was largely down to good fortune, you can secure a similar experience with a little forward planning.
So, when the sun and moon align this coming April, pack your solar eclipse glasses (you need them for a safe viewing, regular sunglasses won’t cut it) and make sure you and your traveling companions are in the right place, at the right time, for an experience of a lifetime.
The eclipse will pass through Durango, Mexico, then 13 U.S. states, starting in Texas and traveling through: Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine. The path of the eclipse continues through Québec, Newfoundland and parts of Canada’s Atlantic Provinces.
Not every viewing destination is equal. Some locations will experience totality—where the moon completely blocks the sun—for longer than others. Hillsboro, Texas, for example, will experience one of the longest eclipse times in the U.S. (see NASA’s table for exact timings and details of more locations).
Apart from considerations such as average cloud coverage, think about a place that will provide access to unobstructed afternoon views. Burlington, Vermont, has natural appeal as a base for the eclipse, thanks to the city’s west-facing vantage. “The city’s topography provides a natural amphitheater for sky-gazers to experience the eclipse,” says Jeff Lawson of the Lake Champlain Chamber of Commerce. “At that time of year, the path of the sun is to the south of the city, meaning spectators will see the event occur over the widest part of the lake, framed against the high peaks region of the Adirondack Mountains.”
Lawson says Burlington has already seen search interest increase five-fold thanks to the event, so no matter where you choose to experience the eclipse, don’t delay, as demand may be sky high.
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Unique experiences are the essence of travel, and a cosmic event is truly a rare spectacle—the next solar eclipse visible in the U.S. after this one won’t be until 2044. The gradual process lasts around two hours, depending where you are, and the otherworldly darkness feels so counter to our existence on earth that it might even change the way you perceive the solar system. But it doesn’t last forever: The time in totality ranges from just under a minute to four minutes and 26 seconds, again depending on location.
Finding a prime place to experience a total solar eclipse is instantly bonding—both with your family members, and the cheering crowds. “It’s a basic science lesson made observable,” says Trimble. “Our sun is a distant object that can be blocked by a big-ass object—a moon in this case—flying in between!”
It’s worth thinking about where you’ll have an incredible family vacation in a new location. Because while the eclipse will provide a couple of hours of entertainment, once it’s over, your time is up to you. See our guide below for stays that leave others in the shade.
Mark Healy is a writer and editor who has worked for Rolling Stone, GQ, Men’s Journal and The New York Times among many other titles.
