Where To Watch The Total Solar Eclipse Near Dayton, Ohio (2024)
Want to know all the best places to watch the total solar eclipse this year? We’ve got you covered with all the best viewing locations and events!
The total solar eclipse will be viewable in the Dayton, Ohio region on Monday, April 8th, 2024 from about 3:09 pm until 3:12 pm.
At 1:53 pm, the moon will begin to pass in front of the sun and we will slowly begin to lose daylight.
After the total solar eclipse ends at 3:12 pm, it will take until about 4:25 pm for the moon to fully pass the sun, making the sun fully viewable again.
So with that being said, there are a ton of places you can go within about an hour’s drive of Dayton to watch this event.
If you live in the area, you can definitely watch it from your own backyard, but if you want to celebrate a little more than that, here’s where you can go.
The map below highlights the path of totality for viewing the total solar eclipse.
You want to be within the gray area to get the full experience.
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Where To Watch The Total Solar Eclipse Near Dayton, Ohio
Here are some of the cities and businesses hosting special events for viewing the total solar eclipse.
Hopefully we’ll be able to add more to this list as the eclipse gets closer!
1. National Museum of the US Air Force
Location: 1100 Spaatz Street, Dayton, Ohio 45433
The Dayton Convention and Visitors Bureau is hosting a viewing party on the grounds of the Air Force Museum.
There aren’t too many details yet, but you can find more details at the link above as the event gets closer.
They are also hosting a hotel giveaway package that includes an awesome goodie basket and a 2 night stay nearby.
You must enter by March 9th!
2. Boonshoft Museum of Discovery
Location: 2600 Deweese Pkwy, Dayton, Ohio 45414
Boonshoft will have special on-site activities the day of the eclipse.
Viewing glasses will be available for purchase in the gift shop.
This is a great place to take kids to view the total solar eclipse.
3. SunWatch Indian Village
Location: 2301 W River Road, Dayton, Ohio 45417
SunWatch Indian Village is hosted a ticketed event from 9 am – 5 pm.
They will offer educational programming throughout the day.
Tickets are $500 per person and all proceeds will go directly to SunWatch.
These tickets include parking, astronomy presentations, eclipse glasses, souvenir t-shirt, SunWatch tours and presentations, food, and alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.
Limited camping or RV spaces are also available for the night of April 7.
RV spaces are an additional $150 and do not include any services.
Camp spaces are $100 and do not have services other than Port-o-Lets.
The schedule includes:
9:00 – Site opens, Light breakfast, snacks, drinks available and included with ticket
10:00 – SunWatch site tour with a Curator
11:00 – Astronomy presentation with our astronomer
11:30 to 1:00 – Lunch Buffet
12:00 –Bars Open
1:00 – Astronomy presentation, begin watching Sun changes
4:00 – bars close, afternoon snack
5:00 – site closes
4. Mercer County Fairgrounds 2024 Eclipse Festival
Location: 1001 W Market Street, Celina, Ohio 45822
The festival is being held April 6-8.
On the day of the eclipse parking is $20 per car.
Events on Monday include the Big Build Carving, a craft show from 11 am – 2 pm, and the total eclipse viewing beginning at 3 pm.
Food vendors will be there from 11 am – 8 pm each day of the festival and below is the tentative list.
- The Almond House – Almonds and other candied nuts
- Celina VFW Post #5713 – Breakfast Items (Sandwiches, Biscuits & Gravy, Eggs, etc.), Sandwiches, French Fries, Soup, Pie, Ice Cream, Coffee, Milk, Iced Tea, Water, and Pop
- Fun Food Concessions– Bourbon Chicken
- Gilbert Station – Spank Burgers, Spank My Chicken, Cheeseburger, Grilled Chicken Sandwich, Tenderloin, Cheese Curds, Steak Fries, Pretzel Bites, and Onion Rings
- Hopewell Grange – Fresh home cooked meals made every day
- The Main Squeeze– Lemonade Shake Ups, Water, Pop, Juice, and Chips
- Unity Grange– Sandwiches, Soups, and Pies
5. Get Left In The Dark @ Hueston Woods Park
Location: 6301 Park Office Road, College Corner, Ohio 45003
The lodge at Hueston Woods is offering special packages for viewing the eclipse.
I don’t have any details yet beyond that, but the park is expected to be very busy with day guests and campers, so plan to arrive early.
6. Wine, Music and Eclipse Viewing at the Olde Schoolhouse Winery
Location: 152 OH-726, Eaton, Ohio 45320
This is probably the event you’ll catch us at!
There are no details out yet, but when they’re released you can find them at the link to the winery above.
We’ll be updating information here as well.
7. Glow In The Park at Seven Mile Park
Location: 1601 Park Ave, Eaton, Ohio 45320
This flyer from the City of Eaton has all the information you need.
It’s the perfect viewing party for those with kids!
8. Solar Eclipse Experience at the Park (Garber Nature Center)
Location: 9691 OH-503, Lewisburg, Ohio 45338
From 1:30 pm – 4:30 pm the Garber Nature Center in Lewisburg is hosting an eclipse viewing party.
Certified viewing glasses will be provided and there will be activities for children.
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are some of the most frequently asked questions we get about where to watch the total solar eclipse near Dayton, Ohio.
✔️ Will the eclipse be visible in Dayton, Ohio?
Yes!
Dayton, Ohio is within the path of totality, meaning you’ll see total solar eclipse as opposed to a partial solar eclipse.
As you can see in the image below, everything that is in the darker gray will see a total solar eclipse.
If you click on the image below it will lead you to the official interactive map.
✔️ Where is the best place to see the 2024 eclipse in Ohio?
Anywhere that is in the grayed out area of the map will get the full total solar eclipse view.
The “best place” is subjective though because that’ll depend on what you’re looking for.
Do you want a quiet place to view the eclipse or do you just care about being 100% in the path of totality?
If you scroll through the list of options above, you’ll definitely be able to find a place that fits what you’re looking for.
✔️ Where can I see the total eclipse?
Again, anywhere that is in the grayed out area of the maps I’ve shown throughout this post are where you can see the total solar eclipse.
Outside of the grayed area will only be a partial solar eclipse.
✔️ What time is the April 8, 2024 eclipse in Ohio?
The total solar eclipse will be viewable in the Dayton, Ohio region on Monday, April 8th, 2024 from 3:09 pm until 3:12 pm.
At 1:53 pm, the moon will begin to pass in front of the sun and we will slowly begin to lose daylight.
After the total solar eclipse ends at 3:12 pm, it will take until about 4:25 pm for the moon to fully pass the sun, making the sun fully viewable again.
More Fun Things To Do Near Dayton, Ohio
Check out our other posts about Dayton and the surrounding areas for more fun things to do while you’re here.
✅ Best Restaurants In Dayton, Ohio
While you’re in Dayton you’ve gotta eat.
Luckily, it’s home to so many regional and local chains that are hidden gems just for us Ohioans.
You’ll probably find me rolling up to the wine tasting solar eclipse viewing party with a 3 way from Skyline as my lunch.
✅ Best Day Trips From Dayton
Some of the areas mentioned in this list are actually in our post about day trips from Dayton.
There are a lot of nearby attractions that are fun to visit as a local or to take visitors.
Think places like the Indian Mounds, Ohio Caverns, some wineries, and more.
✅ Things To Do In Dayton During Each Season
Each of the posts I’ve linked to below highlights special events, festivals, or activities that only happen during each of these seasons.
✅ Cincinnati Day Trip
Cincinnati is only an hour’s drive from Dayton and has infinitely more fun things to do for a quick day trip.
If you’ve never been, I highly recommend the American Sign Museum or the Taft House.
✅ Columbus Day Trip
Columbus is also just about an hour’s drive from Dayton.
If you’ve never been, I recommend checking out Other World, especially when it’s cold or rainy outside.
✅ Ohio Bucket List
We had a guest writer on our blog share their Ohio bucket list of the must do’s for any Ohio visitor.
This will take you all over the state from Cincinnati to Columbus to Cleveland and more.
Conclusion: Where To Watch The Total Solar Eclipse Near Dayton, Ohio
Hopefully you found a viewing party that strikes your fancy so you can watch the total solar eclipse somewhere near Dayton, Ohio.
We’ll be adding more details and more events to this post as we hear about them.
Feel free to email us at [email protected] to let us know of any events to add to this post.
