Guide

12 Places to Visit on the Path of Totality

On April 8, 2024, the United States will experience a total solar eclipse, the moment when the moon comes in between the sun and the Earth blocking the face of the sun. We know that many of you have been preparing for years for this moment and will find yourself at various points along the arc of the eclipse from Texas to Maine.

The National Trust for Historic Preservation is awaiting this historic moment with equal anticipation. As you travel the path of totality, consider stopping at one of these historic places. These twelve sites—a National Trust Historic site, members of the Historic Artists' Homes and Studios program, members of Historic Hotels of America, and Main Street America (a subsidiary of the National Trust)—will give you a place to celebrate, explore, and rest your weary legs as you experience this incredible phenomenon.

The featured Main Street America sites were all grantees of the Simons Foundations' In the Path of Totality initiative, in partnership with Main Street America. This initiative awarded 15 grants of $10,000 each to Main Street America communities located within the path of totality for the creation of meaningful and memorable science programming during the eclipse.

  2. View of a downtown in Eagle Pass, Texas in 2008.

    Photo By: Billy Hathorn via Wikimedia Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported

    City of Eagle Pass

    During the weekend of the eclipse, the City of Eagle Pass in Texas will hold a weekend-long concert and music festival. The experience includes viewings of the eclipse in Shelby Park and Heavenly Farms, a local pecan farm. For those of you interested in learning more stop by the arts activity and science exhibit at the Arts and Culture Center in the Downtown District. Eagle Pass is a Main Street America Accredited community.

  3. Villa Finale

    Photo By: Carol Highsmith

    Villa Finale

    Villa Finale was the last home of civic leader and historic preservationist, Walter Nold Mathis. Located in the heart of the King William Historic District in San Antonio, the Italianate mansion was built in 1876 by a successful hardware merchant and over the next 90 years had several owners who reflected San Antonio’s evolving story. It is a National Trust Historic Site.

  4. Elisabet Ney Museum (Austin, Texas)

    The historic home and studio of Elisabet Ney, a German sculptor who moved to Austin in 1882. The museum enthusiastically celebrates her art, history, and legacy and is a member of the National Trust's Historic Artists' Homes and Studios program.

  5. Statler Hilton, Dallas, Texas

    Photo By: Michael Cagle

    The Statler

    The Statler Hilton opened in January 1956 with incredible Midcentury modern architectural features that included decorative glass and an exterior porcelain curtain wall with open interiors. The hotel was included on the National Trust for Historic Preservation's 2008 11 Most Endangered Historic Places list and is now a member of the Historic Hotels of America.

  6. The view of a stained glass with a stately building, The Arkansas Capitol building.

    Photo By: Historic Hotels of America/Capital Hotel

    Capital Hotel

    Opened in 1877, the Capital Hotel has over 140 years of service. It is often called the "front porch of Little Rock" and was built by a New York railroad tycoon William P. Denckla. The hotel is a member of Historic Hotels of America.

  7. View of downtown Sikeston Missouri in 2020.

    Photo By: Brian Stansberry via Wikimedia Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International

    Sikeston, Missouri

    Sikeston, Missouri is hosting a weekend of activities for the eclipse. They will be hosting a collaborative program between the organization Animal Tales and the local library discussing the effects of the eclipse on nocturnal animals. Sikeston is a Main Street America Affiliate community.

  8. Wide angle view of a hotel lobby with ornate murals and gorgeous columns.

    Photo By: Historic Hotels of America/French Lick Springs Hotel

    French Lick Hotel

    French Lick Resort is in the perfect location for the once-in-a-lifetime solar spectacle – with 3 minutes and 5 seconds of totality during the eclipse and plenty for guests to enjoy leading up to the event. The day gets started with a “No Sun” Fun Run; guests can also purchase eclipse shirts and merchandise to remember the day. The hotel is a member of Historic Hotels of America.

  9. T.C. Steele State Historic Site

    Photo By: T.C. Steele State Historic Site

    T.C. Steele State Historic Site

    T.C. Steele State Historic Site includes the last home and studio of Indiana landscape painter Theodore Clement Steele, a member of the Hoosier Group of American Impressionist painters. Gardens and woodlands around the House of the Singing Winds, as he named it, inspired many well-known works. The site is a member of the National Trust's Historic Artists' Homes and Studios program.

  10. View of the main street in Kent, Ohio in 2009.

    Photo By: Jon Ridinger via Wikimedia Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported

    Main Street Kent

    Main Street Kent in Kent, Ohio is hosting a three-day eclipse extravaganza that includes science engagement activities and the unveiling of a community-created, permanent art mural celebrating the Kent Total Solar Eclipse. Main Street Kent is a is a Main Street America Accredited community.

  11. A copper sculpture of a man overlooking the landscape. By Dorothy Riester

    Photo By: Revette Studio

    Stone Quarry Art Park

    The Dorothy Riester Home and Studio, which is a part of the Stone Quarry Art Park, was the home of Dorothy Riester, an artist known for her work with abstract sculptures using a combination of ceramics and welded metal,. The site is a member of the National Trust's Historic Artists' Homes and Studios program.

  12. Photo By: mwms1916/Flickr/CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

    The Middlebury Inn

    The Middlebury Inn first opened when a local businessman Nathan Wood constructed a Federal-style brick building as a public house in 1827. It became one of the main gathering spots in the town. Though it has changed owners a number of times since its founding it continues to serve the community of Middlebury to this day. It is a member of Historic Hotels of America.

  13. View of a downtown area in Houlton, Maine in 2014.

    Photo By: Doug Kerr via Wikimedia CC BY-SA 2.0

    Houlton Downtown Renaissance Committee (Town of Houlton)

    One of the final places in the United States where the eclipse can be viewed, the Houlton Downtown Renaissance Committee in Maine will host a variety of activities for eclipse viewers, include building a giant pair of functional solar viewing glasses and science performances. The Houlton Downtown Renaissance Committee is a is a Main Street America Affiliate community.

Priya Chhaya is the associate director of content at the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

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