On Monday, April 8, some lucky folks throughout the heart of North America will witness a rare total solar eclipse. Weather permitting, of course. As the moon moves between us and the sun, a total eclipse will begin along Mexico’s Pacific coast, then move northeast through Texas, Arkansas, Missouri and Kentucky and on up toward Canada. It concludes – at least for us on this continent – in Newfoundland, Canada.
Here are a few cities where visitors will experience totality. Remember, don’t stare directly into the sun. Use safe solar viewing glasses or a handheld solar viewer, not sunglasses, binoculars or cameras without special solar filters.
Texas
It’s a good bet you’ll have clear weather in Texas and several major cities lie within the path of totality. But if you’d rather a smaller town and less crowds, try Waco (228 sunny days per year), where on eclipse day the Lowell Observatory, Discovery Channel, Baylor University and the city of Waco will host Eclipse Over Texas: Live from Waco with telescopes, educational activities, astronomers and programs.
Every visit to the sweet little town of Granbury southwest of Dallas is a joy, but especially so on April 8 when visitors may gather in the historic square and watch the sun disappear. The Historic Granbury Merchants Association will be hosting a Black Lunch on the Square where, for a price, visitors receive lunch, a bottle of wine with a commemorative label and special wine glass and solar viewing glasses. Other cities in the path: Dallas, Fort Worth, Kerrville and Fredericksburg with Austin and San Antonio being closest to New Orleans.
Arkansas
Accommodations will be scarce by the time you read this, but one thing Arkansas has going for it is lots of outdoors space and plenty of camping opportunities. One such spot is Morrilton and the Petit Jean River Valley near Interstate 40 where totality will be 4 minutes and 17 seconds! The area will be hosting concerts, a food truck festival, hot air balloons, family activities and more. Petit Jean State Park atop the mountain features various accommodations, from campsites and cabins to a lodge dating to the 1930s.
Arkansas cities to consider in the path are Hot Springs (Hot Springs National Park is one of only two national parks located inside the path of totality), Little Rock, North Little Rock, Jonesboro and Paragould with the longest totality happening in the town of Gillham.
The town closest to Louisiana: Texarkana.
Missouri
The eclipse path travels through Arkansas toward its northeast corner and into southeast Missouri where it’ll pass over the cities of Doniphon, Poplar Bluff, Cape Girardeau and Perryville. All locations offer good highway access which will come in handy should inclement weather arrive and folks need to move to better viewing locations. For those who prefer to camp, the Deer Creek Campground in Lesterville not only lies within the path but along some lovely natural settings. Choose from tents, cabins or RV sites.
One town to consider, right on the Mississippi River and Interstate 55, is Perryville, where visitors may enjoy its numerous historic sites, museums and unlimited chances to enjoy the outdoors, not to mention lots of accommodations and dining venues.
And since it’s April, why not drive up the road to St. Louis for some early season baseball?
The town closest to Louisiana: Pine Bluff and Paducah in nearby Kentucky.
