25 spots to watch the solar eclipse in NYC and beyond

On April 8, New York will experience its first total solar eclipse in almost a century. Five regions across the northern part of the state lie in the path of totality and will witness the moon passing between the sun and earth, blocking the face of the sun for up to four minutes. While only a partial eclipse will be visible in New York City, the event marks the last solar eclipse in the five boroughs until 2044. In anticipation of this once-in-a-lifetime event, the state is offering plenty of ways to witness the spectacle. Ahead, find the best ways to experience the solar eclipse across the state, from aboard the U.S.S. Intrepid and atop the city’s highest outdoor observation deck to the banks of the Hudson River in Bear Mountain State Park and a Long Island beach.

It’s important to be prepared with proper eye protection before April 8, as looking at the eclipse without special solar eclipse glasses can lead to permanent eye damage. New Yorkers can pick up glasses at the MTA’s Long Island Rail Road ticket windows in Moynihan Train Hall, open from 6:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. daily. There will also be glasses available for free at Brooklyn Public Library branches.

For those traveling upstate or to Long Island to witness the event, the state will distribute limited-edition I LOVE NY eclipse glasses at 30 locations across the state. Those interested in purchasing additional viewing devices can find more information here.

Manhattan

Edge
30 Hudson Yards
Edge, the highest observation deck in the Western hemisphere, offers an unparalleled way to experience the solar eclipse. At 1,131 feet in the air, you can’t get any closer to the eclipse than at Edge. The solar eclipse will pass over the five boroughs from 2:10 p.m. to 4:36 p.m., with maximum coverage expected to hit at 3:25 p.m. Guests will be given solar eclipse glasses to ensure safe viewing and there will be a special eclipse cocktail available for purchase. You can purchase tickets to Edge here.

Intrepid Museum
Pier 86, West 46th Street
April 8 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Experience the solar spectacle from the flight deck of the iconic aircraft carrier, U.S.S. Intrepid. While aboard, guests can learn more about the science behind the rare cosmic event from museum educators. Eclipse-viewing glasses will be provided for free. Admission to the flight deck for viewing will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis. The viewing event is free with museum admission. Tickets can be purchased here.

Top of the Rock
45 Rockefeller Plaza
April 8 from 12 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Enjoy the solar eclipse from one of Manhattan’s most iconic observation decks, 30 Rockefeller Center’s Top of the Rock. Visitors will enjoy complimentary eclipse viewing glasses from Warby Parker, themed treats from the Weather Room, and eclipse-inspired music, all while experiencing sweeping 360-degree views of NYC. To attend the event, purchase a timed ticket to the Top of the Rock between 12 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. on April 8 here.

One World Observatory
117 West Street
Witness the eclipse from the highest vantage point in NYC, One World Observatory. Admission includes one pair of solar eclipse viewing glasses, one complimentary beverage of your choice, a commemorative One World Observatory pint glass, a souvenir photo, and a 10 percent discount at the observatory’s retail store. Tickets cost $94 for adults and can be purchased here.

Flatiron District
Flatiron North Plaza, Broadway & 23rd Street
April 8 from 12 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Join the Flatiron NoMad Partnership and the Simons Foundation at Flatiron North Plaza for a special partial solar eclipse viewing party. The event includes free ISO-certified solar eclipse glasses (while supplies last), solar viewing telescopes set up by scientists and staff from the Simons Foundation, a “galactic photo booth,” and a slew of family-friendly activities. The event will also feature state-of-the-art LightSound devices that convert the “variation of light intensity” during an eclipse into sound, enhancing the eclipse experience not only for the visually impaired but for all viewers.

Solar Eclipse Viewing Cruise
Pier 62, West 22nd Street
Enjoy the eclipse while taking in views of iconic NYC landmarks like the Statue of Liberty, World One, and Ellis Island on this 2.5-hour NY Harbor cruise. NYC will experience 71 percent totality, with the maximum coverage occurring at 3:25 p.m. Solar eclipse viewing glasses will be provided on a first-come first-serve basis. Admission costs $86-$96 per person and includes one complimentary drink of beer, wine, Champagne, soda, or bottled water. Tickets can be purchased here.

American Museum of Natural History
200 Central Park West
April 8 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Join staff at the American Museum of Natural History for fun, family-friendly educational activities before the eclipse fills the sky above NY. Solar eclipse glasses will be provided while supplies last. The event is free with museum admission.

Brooklyn

Brooklyn Botanic Garden
April 8 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
The Brooklyn Botanic Garden is calling upon families, nature lovers, and amateur astronomers to venture to the garden’s lawns to witness a cosmic event only visible once in a generation. Protective eyewear will be available while supplies last. Guests are encouraged to bring blankets to sit on. Admission is free and tickets can be reserved here.

Green-Wood Cemetery
Green-Wood Cemetery, 500 25th Street
April 8 from 1:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Brooklyn’s historic Green-Wood Cemetery invites guests to witness the eclipse on its scenic grounds. This free viewing party will be hosted at the cemetery’s Meadow and Historic Chapel, where onlookers will be able to gaze up at the sky with eclipse-safe glasses, as well as artist-led activations, a community art table, a gong sound bath, and a self-guided scavenger hunt. The cemetery will offer limited-edition eclipse viewing glasses on a first-come, first-served basis, and guests are encouraged to bring something comfortable to sit on. You can register for the event here.

Brower Park Library at Brooklyn Children’s Museum
155 Brooklyn Avenue
April 8 from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
In Crown Heights, Brower Park Library invites kids and families to enjoy the partial eclipse alongside fun eclipse-related activities. The peak coverage will be 90 percent and visible from the city at 3:25 p.m., but the partial eclipse will be observable throughout the afternoon. The library will distribute eclipse glasses for safe viewing.

Saratoga Library
8 Thomas S. Boyland Street at Macon Street
April 8 from 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Grab some snacks, put on a pair of solar eclipse viewing glasses, and head to Bushwick’s Saratoga Library for an eclipse garden party! The event will take place in the library branch’s garden and feature snacks, eclipse-themed arts and crafts, and more.

Clinton Hill Library
380 Washington Avenue
April 8 from 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Experience the celestial event of the century at the Clinton Hill Library! The event will kick off with creating pinhole viewers, decorating the sidewalk with beautiful eclipse-themed chalk art, and then finally viewing the eclipse. All ages are welcome, and eclipse glasses will be given out on a first-come first-serve basis.

Brooklyn Heights Library
286 Cadman Plaza
April 8 from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Join staff from the Brooklyn Heights Library in Cadman Plaza for a teen solar eclipse event. As part of the event, participants will write down their worries on paper plates and then tear them up after the eclipse, using the spectacle as an opportunity to start anew.

Shirley Chisholm State Park
Hendrix Creek Patio, 1750 Independence Avenue
April 8 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Watch the solar eclipse from Brooklyn’s Shirley Chisholm State Park. Visitors can either enjoy a leisurely viewing of the spectacle from the park’s Hendrix Creek Patio or take a hike up to the highest point in Jamaica Bay to view it. Solar eclipse glasses for both events will be provided on a first-come first-serve basis. Those interested in attending the hike are encouraged to dress for the weather, wear comfortable shoes, and bring water.

Queens

New York Hall of Science
New York Hall of Science Festival Space, 47-01 111th Street
April 8 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Enjoy the celestial show at the New York Hall of Science (NYSCI) while listening to live music and enjoying food from vendors from the Queens Night Market. The watch party will include live music from DJ Annie Red, food and refreshments courtesy of the Queens Night Market, and engaging activities as part of NYSCI’s NASA-funded Solar Eclipse Station. The station features hands-on activities like using everyday materials to create models of eclipses and designing eclipse-viewing devices.

The activities will also educate participants on STEM skills like critical thinking and problem-solving and build an understanding of the cosmic relationship between the sun, moon, and Earth. Admission includes eclipse glasses and access to eclipse crafts and activities. Tickets start at $10 and can be purchased here.

Queens Public Library at Ozone Park
92-24 Rockaway Boulevard
April 8 from 2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m.
The Queens Public Library’s Ozone Park branch is welcoming visitors for a day of eclipse-related fun designed for guests of all ages. The event features eclipse-themed arts and crafts for kids and the screening of a short film. When the time comes, everyone will go outside and watch the eclipse.

The Bronx

Wave Hill Public Garden & Cultural Center
4900 Independence Avenue
April 8 from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Head to the sprawling lawns of Riverdale’s Wave Hill Public Garden & Cultural Center to gaze up at the solar eclipse. The event includes a variety of “solar-spirited” fun, including making festive eclipse party hats, celestial floral headbands, live music, and story time with the Riverdale Library. In case of rain, the watch party will be moved indoors for a livestream of the event. All visitors will receive a pair of safety-certified eclipse glasses. The event is free with registration.

Bartow Pell Mansion Museum
295 Shore Road
April 8 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Witness the eclipse from the front lawn of the Bronx’s Bartow Pell Mansion Museum. Bartow Pell educator and NASA Solar System ambassador Robin Vernuccio will teach visitors about the science behind the eclipse and lead fun eclipse activities for the younger guests. Eclipse viewers will be available on a first-come first-serve basis. Those interested in attending are encouraged to register in advance.

Long Island

Cradle of Aviation Museum
Charles Lindbergh Boulevard, Garden City
April 8 from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Celebrate the solar eclipse at Garden City’s Cradle of Aviation Museum. The museum is offering free eclipse viewing glasses and hands-on STEM activities, including crafting your own pinhole projector, drawing your own eclipse experience, and information on how to view the eclipse safely. The event is free with museum admission.

Long Island Explorium
Port Jeff Harbor, 101 East Broadway, Port Jefferson
April 8 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Venture to the Long Island Explorium for an unforgettable solar eclipse experience. The Explorium’s watch party event is designed for guests of all ages and offers a chance to dive into the science behind solar eclipses with engaging hands-on activities. Tickets cost $10 per person and can be purchased here. Solar eclipse safety glasses will be provided for each participant.

Jones Beach State Park
2400 Ocean Parkway, Wantagh
Join educators and scientists at Jones Beach for a fun and educational solar eclipse viewing experience. Solar eclipse viewing glasses will be provided by JBENC and educators from the Jones Beach Administration/Central Mall Boardwalk. There will also be Park Rangers walking around with pinhole viewers. Two hours before the eclipse, educators will lead a talk called “Eclipse and You” instructing guests on how to view the cosmic event safely.

Upstate

Hudson River Museum
511 Warburton Avenue, Yonkers
April 8 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Westchester County’s Hudson River Museum is hosting a fun and informative eclipse watch party. Guests will use two solar telescopes that provide a rare glimpse at details of the sun and moon while they converge on one another. While you wait for your turn to use the telescopes, you can observe the eclipse with pinhole viewers, mirror projections, solar eclipse glasses, and other safe methods. The eclipse will also be live-streamed in the lobby from locations across North America, including museums, schools, and observatories stretching from Texas to Maine. The event is free with general admission and includes a pair of solar eclipse viewing glasses (while supplies last).

Mid-Hudson Discovery Museum
75 North Water Street, Poughkeepsie
April 8 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Poughkeepsie’s Mid-Hudson Discovery Museum is inviting guests to enjoy the stellar event while engaging in informative STEM activities. While Poughkeepsie isn’t in the path of totality, the area will still experience a little over 90 percent eclipse coverage. The museum will host kid’s eclipse-themed arts and crafts, eclipse science demonstrations, presentations about the solar system and universe, and much more. Tickets cost $5 for MHDM members and $8 for non-members. You can register for the event here.

Bear Mountain State Park
3006 Seven Lakes Drive, Tompkins Cove
April 8 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Located on the banks of the Hudson River in Rockland and Orange Counties, Bear Mountain State Park is a great option to watch the eclipse for those who don’t want to venture all the way up the most northern parts of the state. The watch party will be hosted on the large field next to the Inn. Make sure to bring your own lawn chairs or blankets so you can enjoy the rare event in comfort.

Rockefeller State Park Preserve
125 Phelpsway, Pleasantville
April 8 from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Rockefeller State Park Preserve is inviting visitors to experience the eclipse across its sprawling grounds. The area will experience roughly 90 percent totality, with the eclipse reaching its maximum coverage around 3:25 p.m. There will be a telescope with a solar filter available for use and commemorative solar eclipse glasses available for the first 100 attendees. Admission is free, and tickets can be reserved here.

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