It's never too soon to start planning where you will be to view the upcoming total solar eclipse. The celestial phenomenon that has captured the imagination of skywatchers around the world takes place on Monday, April 8, 2024, and if you’re looking for the perfect destination to witness this awe-inspiring event, look no further than Erie, Pennsylvania. Situated on the beautiful shores of Lake Erie, Erie is Pennsylvania’s only major city to be in the path of totality. For nearly four minutes, Erie will provide an unforgettable backdrop for witnessing this rare spectacle. To ensure a memorable and successful eclipse experience, here are some helpful tips to help you plan accordingly. Use ErieEclipse2024.com to stay up-to-date on the latest Erie eclipse information.

Overnight Lodging

To ensure a memorable and stress-free trip to witness Erie’s total solar eclipse, plan on spending at least one overnight stay. By doing so, you’ll have more time to enjoy and explore all that Erie has to offer plus you’ll have less traffic to deal with. But don’t wait too long to make your plans! As of August 2023, many hotels are sold out or close to selling out. Click here for a list of lodging options or contact VisitErie at 814-454-1000. 

Where to Watch

The sun will be above the tree line and high enough in the sky for maximum views pretty much anywhere in Erie County but if you’re driving to a specific public viewing space, it’s best to plan on arriving at least an hour ahead of the eclipse to ensure good parking and an equally good vantage point. Below are a few suggestions that will provide the perfect setting for you and fellow eclipse watchers to gather together to enjoy the eclipse in all its splendor. Additional location suggestions can be accessed here.

Erie Bluffs State Park – The 587-acre Erie Bluffs State Park lies along the Lake Erie shoreline in western Erie County, twelve miles west of the city of Erie. With 90-foot bluffs overlooking Lake Erie and an almost totally unimproved park through fields and woods, it’s a great space for eclipse enthusiasts and nature lovers. There is ample parking and restrooms are available at the Elk Creek access area, approximately 0.4 miles away, an approximate 9-minute walk from the park’s main gate. Find it here.

Perry Square/Downtown Erie – This downtown Erie park, situated at State Street and North/South Park Rows, offers a green oasis amid the urban landscape—a perfect spot to view the eclipse. Conveniently surrounded by local establishments like Flagship City Food Hall and Public Market, it provides easy access to snacks and drinks. Benches and seating areas are plentiful throughout the square, parking garages are within a 5 to 10-minute walk, and metered street parking is available making it a convenient viewing location. Find it here.

Shades Beach Park: Located north of Route 5 (East Lake Road) in the east Erie County town of Harborcreek, PA, Shades Beach may be a smaller-sized beach but the views of Lake Erie are huge! Before or after your eclipse-watching, Shades Beach has other amenities to utilize including nature trails, restrooms, picnic facilities, horseshoe courts, woodlands, a playground, and a boat launch. There is also a connecting parking lot. Find it here.

Lake Erie Community Park: Set on a bluff overlooking Lake Erie in Lake City, PA, the Lake Erie Community Park is a 125-acre park with lots of wide open space to spread out and enjoy the eclipse. The park is complete with restrooms, benches, picnic shelters, nature trails, baseball fields, a playground, and of course, expansive cliffside lake views. Find it here.

Picnicana Park – Located on the west side of Old French Road in Waterford, PA, Picnicana Park is 34 wooded acres that offer ample space to park and spread out. This beautifully maintained park features two covered picnic pavilions, accessible restrooms, multiple playgrounds, walking trails, basketball, volleyball, and pickleball courts, a softball field, and horseshoe courts. Three on-site kitchens are available for rent by calling 814-868-9686 ext. 222.  Find it here.

Presque Isle State Park: While Presque Isle seems like the most natural spot to witness an outdoor celestial event, it is not a recommended viewing location. With only one road in and one road out, it is a recipe for a heavy crowd and traffic nightmare.

Community Events and Celebrations
Events are currently planned for Lake Erie Speedway and the Erie Maritime Museum and are in the works in downtown Erie, Corry, Lake Erie Wine Country, and the Lake Erie Ale Trail. Check ErieEclipse2024.com for updates as they become available.

Traffic and Parking

• Give yourself plenty of time for travel: Crowd estimates from GreatAmericanEclipse.com indicate that for the 2024 eclipse, Erie County could expect to see a range of 65,000 to 250,000 visitors. The heaviest traffic will occur once the eclipse ends. According to eclipse experts, a mass exodus of cars will flood area roads and cause heavy traffic congestion. Exercise caution and pay attention to traffic patterns and law enforcement/public safety officials that will help to safely guide you home. You may want to consider waiting a while before leaving your location, allowing the numbers to lessen.
• Downtown Erie is a mix of metered street parking, metered lots, and parking garages. Downtown Erie offers a convenient app “MeterEZ” and parking garages are reasonably priced starting at $4 for up to two hours.
• Most locations listed as suggested eclipse viewing spots offer free and ample parking in their lots which are a mix of paved, dirt, and gravel surfaces. Keep checking this list as more viewing locations will be added in the months leading up to the eclipse.
• To lessen the amount of traffic on the roads and ease parking concerns, consider carpooling or using public transportation. The Erie Metropolitan Transportation Authority (EMTA) has routes throughout Erie County. Regular bus ride fare is $1.65/person.

Weather Considerations

Weather conditions can play a significant role in eclipse visibility and while it would be unfortunate to have cloudy weather during the eclipse, it will still be a memorable experience. Erie’s weather in early April is varied and can be a mix of cloudy, rainy, and sunny days. Showers are common and there’s still a slight chance of snow. Average high temperatures range anywhere between 35 and 55 degrees.

What to Bring

• Solar Glasses: Looking directly at the sun even through sunglasses will instantly cause severe eye injury. Certified solar eclipse viewing glasses will be available for overnight guests at Erie County lodging properties but you can also find NASA-approved solar eclipse glasses online.
• Weather-Appropriate Clothing: When totality occurs, temperatures will drop quickly so it’s best to be prepared and dress in layers or bring a blanket.
• Comfortable seating: Since you might be spending several hours in your viewing spot, nothing beats the comfort of sitting on a cushion rather than a hard surface.
• Sunscreen: Even during an eclipse, the sun's rays can still be strong, so apply sunscreen to protect your skin from sunburn.

Enhance Your Erie Trip

Discover the abundance of fun things to do in Erie! Here are some suggestions on how to maximize your time here before, during and after the eclipse. You can also make your trip planning even easier by downloading the ‘Hello Erie’ app. Find activities and attractions that match your interests and create custom maps and itineraries for yourself or to share with friends and family.

• Shopping: The Erie area is home to a multitude of shopping options from thrift stores to specialty boutique shops, plazas, and the Millcreek Mall plus Pennsylvania has no sales tax on clothing and shoes. Locations such as the Millcreek Mall, Village West Plaza and The Shops at the Colony Plaza have spacious parking lots allowing you to shop before and after the eclipse. By staying longer to shop after the eclipse ends, you may also avoid the heavy traffic expected after the eclipse ends. 
• Dining: From fine dining to casual, family-friendly, ethnic, fusion, and grab-and-go, there is a cuisine to please every palate. You can dine on a rooftop, on the water or the waterfront, bayside, curbside, inside or outside. To ensure that the restaurant will be open on eclipse day and if they are accepting reservations, it’s best to call ahead. You may also want to consider planning ahead and placing an order to go. 
• The Erie Zoo and Botanical Gardens: Featuring a compact user-friendly design, the Erie Zoo is a refreshing departure from sprawling metropolitan zoos, allowing visitors to explore its array of exhibits and wildlife in just an hour or two. The Zoo will be open on eclipse day from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. with the last admission sold at 4:15 p.m.
• Lake Erie Wine Country: Explore a 53-mile stretch of unique wineries and more than 30,000 acres of vineyards nestled along the Lake Erie shoreline. Each winery features its own distinct collection of wine just waiting to be sipped and savored. Many wineries are planning eclipse viewing parties. Stay tuned for updates!
• Lake Erie Ale Trail: The Lake Erie Ale Trail is composed of 15 microbreweries, all located near the shores of Lake Erie. Each brewery has its own creative approach to brewing beer, refining simple ingredients, and transforming those ingredients into a wide range of ales of varying flavors, styles, and funky names. Just as Lake Erie Wine Country is planning eclipse parties, plans are “brewing” along the Lake Erie Ale Trail, too!
• The Erie SeaWolves AA baseball team, an affiliate of the Detroit Tigers, will host their season home opener on Tuesday, April 9 at UPMC Park. For fans of the sport, this presents an excellent opportunity to witness the burgeoning talents of future major league baseball stars, at prices that won’t break the bank. UPMC Park’s intimate seating design ensures great views from every perspective. Notable major league stars who honed their skills in Erie include Justin Verlander, Nick Castellanos, and Andrew Miller.   
• For a complete list of things to see and do while you’re in town, click here.