Wildberry Rae

Here’s my step-by-step guide on how to make sure you have the best chances of seeing a solar eclipse. These guidelines are applicable for ANY solar eclipse, and have been key for me and my family seeing the eclipse in both 2017 and 2024.

1. Find a “Good” spot in the path of totality

What does a “good” spot mean? It means that the spot you’re at has a significant amount of totality. This means that you’ll need to look up not only the path of totality, but also consider that you’ll want to be close to the centerline of the path of totality. If you’re in the path of totality, but on the very edge – your show may only be seconds long. Another 10-30 minutes of driving can significantly change your experience from a dim in the light and odd shadows, to being surrounded by sunsets with a glowing black sun in the sky. The birds will chirp like it’s night and the streetlights will come on. The difference is huge and worth the effort!

You’ll also want to look up what time of totality your proposed spot on or near the centerline has. Different spots on the line will have different times. Make sure it’s a length you’re happy with in comparison to other areas you’re considering.

2. Find a spot with easy access to the rest of the totality

One of the most important and most overlooked parts of finding a good reservation for where you’re staying to see the eclipse – and planning where you’ll go with ideal conditions – is having highways nearby that allow for quick moving if the weather isn’t cooperating.

For example: My dad and I could have picked southeast Missouri to wait for the 2024 Eclipse, but we chose to go to southern Illinois instead. Southern Illinois had highways near the path of totality, with minimal barriers. If we picked Missouri instead, we would have entered the Ozark mountains. This could have made for incredible viewing, but also made the roads more winding and hilly. Sometimes, your best friends are fields and plains for an eclipse.

3. See your reserved spot as a home base, not your final destination

When booking your hotel, airbnb, or vrbo, find a place that has easy access to multiple spots of totality. This follows the same rule as No.2, with finding easy access to a spot that you can be flexible at. The spots IN the path of totality and especially on the centerline are not only going to be incredibly expensive, but will also book up 1-2 years in advance in some cases.

For this past eclipse in 2024, we stayed at a hotel in Effingham, Illinois. This hotel was a normal and reasonable price, partially from booking about 9 months in advance, but also by picking a place on the very edge of totality. We did not see this location that was technically in the path of totality as our final spot to see the eclipse. We booked this spot, knowing that we could easily drive either Northeast or Southwest along the totality the next morning.

You don’t need to book on the centerline to have a great view! We were in Fairfield, Illinois by 9:30am, where we were able to relax until we left shortly after the end of the eclipse at 2:30pm. You will have plenty of time to travel that next morning as long as you get near the edge of the totality.

4. Plan on how you’re going to see and capture the eclipse

You’re in the centerline and ready to see the sun disappear, but realize you don’t have solar eclipse glasses. You don’t need glasses to view the eclipse during totality, but you do need it for viewing the sun at any other point.

You can get eclipse glasses online before the event, or you may find them in person if you’re at an event. Just expect a price markup. There were people selling them for $4 a piece in Fairfield, Illinois. No promises here but a possibility! If you can see anything out of the glasses except the sun, they’re not real. Protect your eyes!

This also probably applies to your camera. If you’re using a telephoto lens (which you WILL need if you want to capture close pictures of the sun), it will destroy the camera without a solar filter. This also applies to telescopes magnifying the sun and burning your eye. You’ll need a sun filter to go on the INTAKE of light for any photo capturing. Get a telescope or camera cover to make your life safe and easy. Or as an affordable version, tape eclipse glasses to the lens of your camera with black electrical tape blocking out any light coming through the sides. Don’t start your eyes or camera on fire!

5. What are you eating?

This might sound like a weird question, but what are you planning to eat for lunch? Although the Solar Eclipse is not the apocalypse, news articles can make it seem like that’s the case. Restaurants, fast food, and grocery stores will probably be open. They might be busy, but you’re not going to run out of food.

What will matter, is that you’re parked at an event, at fairgrounds, in a huge parking lot, and there’s people everywhere at your event. Treat this like a concert or sports event: are you really going to get out of the stadium in less than 5 minutes and find your spot again once you return? Pack snacks, food, and other necessities. Also bring some cash to enjoy local food trucks and restaurants within walking distance.

6. What kind of experience do you want?

The last thing to consider for your eclipse viewing is whether you’d like to be at a big event with lots of people, or alone. If you decide to view it alone, head to a field or small county road in the path of totality. You’ll get peace and quiet, an amazing view, and the exact environment you’d like. Want to be in a big group? You’ll get the benefit of food, company… and music playing. It’s a fun experience in my opinion, just expect someone to be blasting music and be friendly with your neighbors. It’s fun meeting people from all over! Just make sure you realize that you have the option to go or not go to an event, and what that means for your experience.

Check out my own 2024 experience for more info!