It’s going to be a real sun-stopper!
Monday’s rare total solar eclipse will saunter across Mexico, the United States and Canada, with several towns across New York experiencing full totality.
Among them are Buffalo, Rochester and Syracuse, where tens of thousands of tourists are expected to descend.
While New York City is outside the path of totality, “You’ll be able to view the eclipse from New York City, that’s the good news,” said Laura Motta, Lonely Planet’s senior director of content. “The bad news is that you won’t be able to see a total solar eclipse from any of the five boroughs, but you can get pretty close.”
If you haven’t already made travel plans, here are the best area spots to catch the event — which starts at 2:10 p.m. in New York City, with 89.6% totality set to occur at 3:25 p.m.
“If you want to get closer to complete totality, you’ll have to head north,” Motta said. “Driving north along the Hudson offers a few excellent viewing spots, plus you’ll get closer to seeing a total solar eclipse than you would in the city.”
Much like the event itself, eclipse-related traffic will be spectacular — so consider hitting the rails.
One World Observatory: Enjoy the eclipse event from the 102nd floor of the World Trade Center.
Package-deal tickets costs $94 for adults and $88 for kids and come with free viewing glasses, a complimentary beverage voucher, commemorative pint glass and souvenir photo.
The Edge: Free glasses and a “solar slipper” cocktail come with the price of admission ($75 adults, $70 kids) for Hudson Yards’ 100th floor open-air observation deck.
Intrepid Museum: Guests can watch the big show aboard the flight deck of aircraft carrier USS Intrepid and receive commemorative eclipse glasses, with museum admission ($36 for adults and $26 for kids).
American Museum of Natural History: Visitors can enjoy family-themed educational activities and free glasses ($28 for adults; $16 for children).