<strong>The 2017 total solar eclipse: </strong>The August 21 eclipse will cross <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nps.gov%2Fsubjects%2Fnaturalphenomena%2Fparksinpath.htm" target="_blank" target="_blank">21 National Park Service sites and 7 trails</a>, including Homestead National Monument in Nebraska. Bill Nye the Science Guy and NASA scientists are headlining a full day of free events at Homestead.
The 2017 total solar eclipse: The August 21 eclipse will cross 21 National Park Service sites and 7 trails, including Homestead National Monument in Nebraska. Bill Nye the Science Guy and NASA scientists are headlining a full day of free events at Homestead.
Courtesy Mel Mann/NPS
<strong>John Day Fossil Beds National Monument, Oregon: </strong>Travelers are flocking to eastern Oregon to view the eclipse, and John Day will likely be packed up to a week before August 21.
John Day Fossil Beds National Monument, Oregon: Travelers are flocking to eastern Oregon to view the eclipse, and John Day will likely be packed up to a week before August 21.
Courtesy John Chao/NPS
<strong>Ketchum and Sun Valley, Idaho:</strong> The cities of Ketchum and Sun Valley are hosting<a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ketchumsunvalleyeclipse2017.com%2F" target="_blank" target="_blank"> a joint solar eclipse viewing party </a>on Festival Field on Sun Valley Road.
Ketchum and Sun Valley, Idaho: The cities of Ketchum and Sun Valley are hosting a joint solar eclipse viewing party on Festival Field on Sun Valley Road.
City of Sun Valley
<strong>Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming</strong>: <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nps.gov%2Fgrte%2Fplanyourvisit%2F2017-solar-eclipse.htm" target="_blank" target="_blank">Grand Teton </a>has five eclipse viewing areas within the park. While parking is first-come, first-served, <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nps.gov%2Fgrte%2Fplanyourvisit%2Fofficial-eclipse-viewing-areas.htm" target="_blank" target="_blank">some passes </a>will start becoming available on August 19, two days before the eclipse.
Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming: Grand Teton has five eclipse viewing areas within the park. While parking is first-come, first-served, some passes will start becoming available on August 19, two days before the eclipse.
Nick Scott/CNN
<strong>Carbondale, Illinois</strong>: Southern Illinois University's Saluki Stadium will be transformed into a massive eclipse fest. Even people who don't buy tickets to the stadium event will be able to witness the eclipse on campus (prepare to pay for parking).
Carbondale, Illinois: Southern Illinois University's Saluki Stadium will be transformed into a massive eclipse fest. Even people who don't buy tickets to the stadium event will be able to witness the eclipse on campus (prepare to pay for parking).
Steve Buhman/Southern Illinois University
<strong>St. Joseph, Missouri: </strong>With a view of the Missouri River, the Riverwalk connects downtown to the Remington Nature Center. Guests can see the eclipse from the nature center ($3 for adults), the Riverwalk or surrounding public areas.
St. Joseph, Missouri: With a view of the Missouri River, the Riverwalk connects downtown to the Remington Nature Center. Guests can see the eclipse from the nature center ($3 for adults), the Riverwalk or surrounding public areas.
Courtesy Patrick P. Evenson/St Joseph Missouri Visitors Bureau
<strong>Paducah, Kentucky:</strong> The city famous for its quilts, Pacudah will host NASA astronaut and Kentucky native Terry Wilcutt for a <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.paducah.travel%2Fevents%2Fnight-at-noon-total-solar-eclipse%2F19596%2F" target="_blank" target="_blank">"Night at Noon" </a>eclipse party at <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwestkentucky.kctcs.edu%2Fnews_and_events%2Fnight_at_noon.aspx" target="_blank" target="_blank">West Kentucky Community and Technical College</a>. A UNESCO creative city, Paducah will host the inaugural <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.paducah.travel%2Fquilting%2Faqs-quiltweek-paducah%2F" target="_blank" target="_blank">Fall AQS QuiltWeek</a> starting September 13.
Paducah, Kentucky: The city famous for its quilts, Pacudah will host NASA astronaut and Kentucky native Terry Wilcutt for a "Night at Noon" eclipse party at West Kentucky Community and Technical College. A UNESCO creative city, Paducah will host the inaugural Fall AQS QuiltWeek starting September 13.
Courtesy Paducah Visitors Bureau
<strong>Clarksville, Tennessee:</strong> Clarksville is hosting lots of free and low-cost events throughout the city, including events <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fevents%2F277504449362817%2F" target="_blank" target="_blank">at Liberty Park</a> on the Cumberland River. Food trucks and speakers from <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.apsu.edu%2Feclipse%2Fevents.php" target="_blank" target="_blank">Austin Peay State University</a>'s Department of Physics and Astronomy will be on hand to feed the crowd and explain this natural phenomenon.
Clarksville, Tennessee: Clarksville is hosting lots of free and low-cost events throughout the city, including events at Liberty Park on the Cumberland River. Food trucks and speakers from Austin Peay State University's Department of Physics and Astronomy will be on hand to feed the crowd and explain this natural phenomenon.
Courtesy Ron Jackson
<strong>Tallulah Gorge State Park, Georgia</strong>: Just a two-hour drive from Atlanta, <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgastateparks.org%2FEclipse2017" target="_blank" target="_blank">Tallulah Gorge State Park </a>is one of 12 state parks marking the day. Some parks are opening early, and their parking lots will fill up quickly.
Tallulah Gorge State Park, Georgia: Just a two-hour drive from Atlanta, Tallulah Gorge State Park is one of 12 state parks marking the day. Some parks are opening early, and their parking lots will fill up quickly.
Courtesy ExploreGeorgia.org
<strong>Lowcountry Stargazers, Charleston, South Carolina: </strong>This group of astronomy lovers will set up their telescopes at Old Santee Canal Park in Moncks Corner (shown here) and Palmetto Islands County Park in Mount Pleasant. <br />
Lowcountry Stargazers, Charleston, South Carolina: This group of astronomy lovers will set up their telescopes at Old Santee Canal Park in Moncks Corner (shown here) and Palmetto Islands County Park in Mount Pleasant.
Courtesy Charleston Area CVB, ExploreCharleston.com