Here Are the Best Cities to See the Total Solar Eclipse in 2024

It's officially here—or actually, it's almost here, so close you can almost "smell it." After seven years since the last time one was viewable from the United States, a total solar eclipse is coming back to keep us with our noses lifted up toward the sky in 2024.

If you haven't heard already, you'd better save the date. The next total solar eclipse is happening on April 8, 2024, and space enthusiasts around the world are already making plans to be in the best spot possible to marvel at the unique phenomenon. The travel industry is on top of it, too, and there are already plenty of cruises organized around the event. If watching the eclipse from the ocean is something that piques your interest, you should definitely check out this Thrillist guide, where we rounded up the best ones on the market. 

If being at sea is not, however, your top priority, you can safely catch the eclipse from the comfort of the very ground you stand on—but there are some places that are better than other for that. The "path of totality" is what will help you make this decision, as it outlines the areas that will provide ideal viewing conditions.  The good news is that the path in 2024 will make its way through North America, from Mexico to Maine, so your odds to find a good spot are actually pretty high. Specifically, some of the main cities included in the path for this eclipse are:

This detailed map from NASA also provides a detailed view of the 2024 eclipse's path of totality:

In other words, now is a good time to start planning your trips and ingratiating yourselves to friends in Rochester or Austin. You don't want to get stuck home waving a spaghetti colander over the ground when it's time to look up again.

Keep in mind that you'll also might find luck outside major cities. The website GreatAmericanEclipse.com has published detailed regional maps of the 2024 eclipse's path of totality that you can use and blow up to high-resolution to plan your route a bit more.

If you're based in the US, to better help you plan your eclipse trip, below you can find a selection of US cities on the path of totality divided by state.

Here are all the best stargazing events that you can get out and see this month or you could stay in and stream the northern lights from home. If you're just getting started, check out our guide to astronomy for beginners or easy stargazing road trips from big US cities.

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