Ohio will be one of the busiest U.S. states for eclipse chasers on Monday, April 8, for its first total solar eclipse since 1806.
An estimated 125,000 to over 500,000 visitors are expected to travel to Ohio, joining the 7.2 million people living in the 112-mile wide path of totality that will surge across Ohio for 11 minutes from 3:08 p.m. EDT.
Totality will last for up to 4 minutes—but where will you be?
Before you make a plan, check where the path of totality is and look for events in the local press, on National Eclipse and using The Eclipse Company’s interactive map.
Here’s the pick of where to go to get a front seat to the last total solar eclipse in Ohio until 2099:
Total Eclipse of the Parks Festival Watch Party, Oxford
Where: Oxford Community Park, Oxford
Time and duration of totality: 3:08 p.m. EDT, 2 minutes 55 seconds
More information and tickets (free)
From 1:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., this event will have food trucks, space-themed activities, live music and craft beers from a local brewery. There will be a kids’ corner full of inflatables, games and more.
Great North American Solar Eclipse Viewing, Wapakoneta
Where: Armstrong Air & Space Museum, Wapakoneta
Time and duration of totality: 3:09 p.m. EDT, 3 minutes 57 seconds
More information and tickets (free)
This aviation and space museum is where to be if you want to experience totality in the hometown of Neil Armstrong, the first man to walk on the moon during 1969’s Apollo 11 mission. You’ll also see his Gemini 8 space capsule.
Community Event, St Marys
Where: Skip Baughman Stadium Complex, St Marys
Time and duration of totality: 3:09 p.m. EDT, 3 minutes 53 seconds
More information and tickets (free)
Come for the eclipse, stay for something almost as exciting: an attempt to break the world record for the most s’mores made and eaten at one time. Event also includes non s’mores-based food and drink.
Sun at SunWatch, Dayton
Where: SunWatch Archaeological Park, Dayton
Time and duration of totality: 3:09 p.m. EDT, 2 minutes 38 seconds
More information and tickets ($530 per person)
Watch the eclipse from this 800-year-old Native American village on the banks of the Great Miami River. Tickets will include parking, astronomy presentations, eclipse glasses, souvenir t-shirts, SunWatch tours and presentations, and food and drinks.
Unity of Dayton Total Eclipse Party, Dayton
Where: Unity of Dayton, Dayton
Time and duration of totality: 3:09 p.m. EDT, 2 minutes 54 seconds
More information and tickets (free/$20 parking)
Space for picnicking and yard games, prayer and meditation. Eclipse glasses will be on sale.
Dark Side of the Moon, Sidney
Where: Shelby County Fair Grounds, Sidney
Time and duration of totality: 3:09 p.m. EDT, 3 minutes 53 seconds
More information and tickets ($255 for six people, including camping)
This four-day camping event from April 5-8 will feature food trucks, camping, live entertainment and family activities.
Total Eclipse Camping Experience, Fort Loramie
Where: Hickory Hill Lakes Campgrounds, Fort Loramie
Time and duration of totality: 3:09 p.m. EDT, 3 minutes 58 seconds
More information and tickets (£399 for two, including camping; $25 additional wristband)
A weekend of camping from April 6-9 with food, live entertainment (modern country/classic rock/pop) and free eclipse glasses.
The Solar Eclipse at the Top of Ohio, Bellefontaine
Where: Ohio Hi-Point Career Center, Bellefontaine
Time and duration of totality: 3:10 p.m. EDT, 3 minutes 44 seconds
More information and tickets ($25 per vehicle)
Bring your own eclipse glasses, chairs, and blankets for this event, which features food trucks from around the county.
Solar Perspectives, West Liberty
Where: Piatt Castle, Mac-A-Cheek, West Liberty
Time and duration of totality: 3:10 p.m. EDT, 3 minutes 30 seconds
More information and tickets ($15)
This three-day village festival will include a watch party on an open lawn, with a spot for photographers. A representative from the Cincinnati Observatory Center will talk about the Piatt family and the Observatory’s role in scientific understanding of solar eclipses, with eclipse demonstrations and an interactive exploration of the solar system.
Moonshade Festival, West Liberty
Where: West Liberty
Time and duration of totality: 3:10 p.m. EDT, 3 minutes 33 seconds
More information and tickets ($15)
A three-day village festival with passes for the best viewing occasions at Lions Park and Dodge Park. Expect fireworks and dance competition.
Total Eclipse Viewing Party, Findlay
Where: Northwest Ohio Railroad Preservation, Findlay
Time and duration of totality: 3:11 p.m. EDT, 3 minutes 38 seconds
More information and tickets ($10 per car)
Live entertainment by local artist Chris Salyer, with a food truck and quarter-scale train rides at this museum of railroad history in northwest Ohio.
Solar Eclipse of the Heart, Mount Gilead
Where: Morrow County Fairgrounds, Mount Gilead
Time and duration of totality: 3:12 p.m. EDT, 3 minutes 07 seconds
More information and tickets ($10 local, $15 non-local)
Entertainment, food and camping options on 130 acres with expansive views.
Total Eclipse of The Point, Sandusky
Where: Cedar Point, Sandusky
Time and duration of totality: 3:12 p.m. EDT, 3 minutes 41 seconds
More information and tickets ($99)
The Boardwalk and Kiddy Kingdom rides will be open at this amusement park located on a Lake Erie peninsula. Expect specialty food and drinks, a live DJ, kids’ activities and games.
Middle Base Island Viewing Party, Middle Bass Island
Where: Lonz Winery, Middle Bass Island
Time and duration of totality: 3:12 p.m. EDT, 3 minutes 14 seconds
More information and tickets (free)
Food, craft cocktails, beer, wine, gourmet coffee and tea, hot chocolate and bakery goods on the patio of the Historic Lonz Winery. Its Island Grind & Prohibition bar will be open all weekend.
Eclipse Viewing Party, Port Clinton
Where: Jet Express, Port Clinton
Time and duration of totality: 3:12 p.m. EDT, 3 minutes 26 seconds
More information and tickets (parking $5)
A viewing party in the parking lot of the Jet Express passenger waiting terminal. Thankfully, the Island Port Bar will be open.
Eclipse Viewing and Spring Open House, Kelleys Island
Where: Charles Herndon Galleries and Sculpture Garden, Kelleys Island
Time and duration of totality: 3:12 p.m. EDT, 3 minutes 29 seconds
More information and tickets (free)
The wide open spaces of the Charles Herndon Gardens will be open from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m offering food and music. Some eclipse glasses will be available.
Parkside Drive-In Solar Eclipse Viewing Party, Oregon
Where: Parkside Drive-in, Oregon
Time and duration of totality: 3:12 p.m. EDT, 2 minutes 17 seconds
More information and tickets ($100 per car)
Tailgating from 8:00 am to 8:00 p.m. in this drive-in movie theater, with food and music on site.
Total Solar Eclipse Party, Wakeman
Where: Vermilion Valley Vineyards, Wakeman
Time and duration of totality: 3:12 p.m. EDT, 3 minutes 53 seconds
More information and tickets (free)
This free event from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at a winery will include a DJ and food from Mellow Yellow Pizzeria.
Total Eclipse Fest 2024, Cleveland
Where: Great Lakes Science Center, Cleveland
Time and duration of totality: 3:13 p.m. EDT, 3 minutes 50 seconds
More information and tickets (free)
Thirty thousand visitors are expected at the Great Lakes Science Center on Lake Erie as well as NASA, which will livestream from close to its NASA Glenn Visitor Center.
Total on the Oval Eclipse Watch Party, Cleveland
Where: Cleveland Museum of Natural History, Cleveland
Time and duration of totality: 3:14 p.m. EDT, 3 minutes 50 seconds
More information and tickets (free/$10 parking)
Family-friendly community watch party with live music, hands-on activities and a special museum program from 1000 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.—followed by the eclipse.
Kent State University Total Solar Eclipse Viewing Party, Kent
Where: Risman Plaza, Kent
Time and duration of totality: 3:14 p.m. EDT, 2 minutes 45 seconds
More information and tickets (free)
Family-friendly events, planetarium shows and a scientific commentary during the eclipse … but hopefully not during totality.
Eclipse Watch Party, Madison
Where: Grand River Cellars, Madison
Time and duration of totality: 3:14 p.m. EDT, 3 minutes 45 seconds
More information and tickets
A commemorative souvenir glass to the first 100 customers, free eclipse glasses, live music from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. and fun-themed food and drink specials.
Eclipse at the Arboretum, Kirtland
Where: The Holden Arboretum, Kirtland
Time and duration of totality: 3:14 p.m. EDT, 3 minutes 46 seconds
More information and tickets
From 11:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. this family-friendly and dog-friendly event at an arboretum will feature food trucks, activities and a DJ. Free eclipse glasses for all ticket holders.
Total Eclipse Woof Watch Party, Geneva-on-the-Lake
Where: Ruff Life on the Lake, Geneva-on-the-Lake
Time and duration of totality: 3:15 p.m. EDT, 3 minutes 50 seconds
More information and tickets (free)
Dog-friendly event offering free eclipse glasses for the first 100 humans, a commemorative glass with $20 purchase, free giveaways every hour and eclipse-themed food and drink specials.
For the very latest on the total solar eclipse—including travel and lodging options—check my main feed for new articles each day.
Wishing you clear skies and wide eyes.
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