The Best Places in Ohio to See the Total Solar Eclipse
April 8th is going to be a crazy day in Ohio. Over a period of several hours, the sun will be partially blocked out by the moon passing in front of it, and for a large swath of Ohio, for several minutes, the sun will be completely behind the moon.
So where are the best spots to see the Eclipse on April 8th? Well, we've got some ideas.
April 8th, the Total Solar Eclipse will cut a swath directly through northwest Ohio. More than half of the state will be in the line of sight for a total eclipse, while some areas might even see it for a full 4 minutes.
Counties in the centerline include:
- Darke
- Shelby
- Auglaize
- Hardin
- Wyandot
- Seneca
- Huron
- Erie
- Lorain
After that, the centerline moves out over Lake Erie, but still some major cities, including Cincinnati, Dayton, Columbus, Mansfield, Akron, Cleveland, and Toledo will all be within a full or partial totality area of the eclipse.
Ohio Lunar Road Trip
People will be pouring into Ohio by the thousands to see the eclipse, so it's very unlikely they'll make the trip just for a few minutes, then turn right back around to go home. Make a full trip of it and check out these incredible lunar-related attractions. Ohio has produced more astronauts than any other state, you know.
- Cincinnati Museum Center Space Gallery
- Home to the Neil Armstrong Space Exploration Gallery
- Armstrong Air and Space Museum in Wapakoneta
- COSI in Columbus
- See The Planetarium
- Great Lakes Science Center in Cleveland
- Observatory Park in Montville
- Set inside of a certified "Dark Sky Park"
READ MORE: Here's Where to Get Glasses for the Solar Eclipse in Ohio
Best Ohio Views for The Eclipse
When it comes to showtime on April 8th, you're going to want the best views, so why not visit some of the State Parks, 17 of which are in the path of totality. Leading up to the eclipse, too, each of the parks will have their own special events such as animal encounters, crafts, activities, hikes, and stargazing.
- Delaware County
- Alum Creek State Park
- Delaware State Park
- East Harbor State Park (Ottawa County)
- Findley State Park (Lorain County)
- Geneva State Park (Ashtabula County)
- Grand Lake St. Mary's State Park (Mercer County)
- Headlands Beach State Park (Lake County)
- Lake Loramie State Park (Shelby County)
- Maumee Bay State Park (Lucas County)
- Mohican State Park (Ashland County)
- Mt. Gilead State Park (Morrow County)
- Portage Lakes State Park (Summit County)
- Punderson State Park (Geauga County)
- Sycamore State Park (Montgomery County
- Wingfoot Lake State Park (Portage County)
But MAYBE the best place to view the Eclipse is going to be in a city that isn't QUITE in totality, but is damn close. The Cleveland Guardians home opener happens to be on April 8th, and that day, they will be delaying their start of the game just so fans can hang out and watch from the confines of the field.
So if you're in Ohio for the Eclipse, enjoy, and be sure to properly secure your eyes.
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Gallery Credit: JR