A Total Solar Eclipse Will Be Visible Above New York This Spring

This coming spring, on April 8, 2024, there will be a total solar eclipse looming over North America, and Upstate New York will be one of the best places on the continent to watch this rare, momentous occurrence. To put it simply, it is a can’t miss event! To learn more, keep reading, below.

A total solar eclipse happens when the moon wedges in the middle of the sun and the Earth. The last time there was a total solar eclipse in Upstate New York was 1925.

According to the state’s tourism website, totality is set to commence at 3:17 p.m. in Western New York’s Chautauqua County, and will end in Plattsburgh in the Adirondacks at 3:25 p.m., with each location sequestered in complete darkness for around four minutes.

Roughly half of Upstate New York, which includes Buffalo, Rochester and Syracuse, will be able to check out the total eclipse. Within that area, there are plenty of amazing places to take full advantage of the natural event.

One great destination for eclipse viewing is the Martz-Kohl Observatory in Frewburg, New York, where the eclipse comes around at roughly 3:18 p.m.

Then there is the Kopernik Observatory & Science Center in Vestal, New York. They are even putting together an “Eclipse Science Team,” in which local students participate in citizen science around he eclipse.

Quite possibly the most majestic place to view the eclipse is in Niagara Falls, where the Niagara Falls State Park will hold events in celebration of the eclipse.

There are also plenty of great state park campground accommodations designated by the state of New York for the 2024 Solar Eclipse. Among them, we love the nautical atmosphere of Fair Haven Beach State Park.

Allegany State Park in Salamanca is also on the state’s list of parks from which to view the eclipse. We should mention here that eye protection is necessary when viewing it, and sunglasses won't cut it—the eclipse can only be observed with special solar viewing glasses or a handheld solar viewer.

For an exotic eclipse experience, we recommend Wellesley Island State Park, but there are only 21 cabins available.

We think it's worth making the trip to Upstate New York to view this rare event, and it might even be better to hit Niagara Falls, where there is perhaps the most majestic view in the state. For those looking for a hotel in Niagara Falls, we recommend Niagara Falls Marriott on the Falls. And if you're heading to Niagara, check out the Aquarium of Niagara for some adorable adventures!