Where to watch the eclipse in the Adirondacks

An overview of events in the Adirondack region

If event planners, history and hotel bookings point the way, the Adirondack Park will draw thousands of visitors April 8 for what some are billing a show of a lifetime – a total solar eclipse that will darken the afternoon sky in the High Peaks for some of the longest durations in the Northeast.

Here is an overview of what’s being planned in communities around the region:

‘Totality in Tupper,’ Tupper Lake

The Superbowl of Adirondack eclipse events, Tupper Lake will be one of the spots with the longest duration of the eclipse. The community is rallying around “Totality in Tupper,” encompassing a full weekend of events at The Wild Center and Adirondack Sky Observatory.

Oswegatchie Educational Center, Croghan

The Oswegatchie Educational Center is a summer camp facility that operates year-round. It offers experiences for youth of all ages and focuses on leadership training outdoor recreation, and environmental education.

The center is offering a day trip and overnight options for the eclipse, complete with lunch and bunk-style accommodations. Parking and electric hookup for RVs and travel vans available for $35 (registration required, no water hookups). Registration for all event options available here: https://form.jotform.com/Oswegatchie/2024-total-solar-eclipse-event

The center is also inviting schools to get in touch with field trip arrangements. Call 315-346-1222 for information.

Newcomb Information Center

Billed as “the total eclipse of the heart….of the Adirondacks,” this free event features a spot to park along Route 28N, complimentary swag bag and food and drinks. From 1:30-5 p.m. More information here: https://www.newcombny.com/events/2024-solar-eclipse. Pre-register to guarantee you’ll get a welcome bag by clicking here. Shirts and other merch also available for sale.

Cascade Welcome Center, Lake Placid

RSVP to spend the afternoon exploring the trails and taking in the eclipse from this property owned by Adirondack Mountain Club: https://adk.org/naturalist-series/. Parking will be first-come, first-served.

Olympic Center, Lake Placid

The Olympic Center will host a viewing party at the James C. Sheffield Speed Skating Oval (conditions permitting), with gates opening at 1 p.m. The Oval offers an open south by southwest facing view of the Adirondack High Peaks, the iconic Olympic Ski Jumps and room for many spectators to gather and watch the entirety of the solar eclipse from start to finish. In addition, the Olympic Center will be open to the public from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. and displaying a live feed of the 2024 Solar Eclipse as it passes over the United States. More info: https://lakeplacidolympiccenter.com/event/solar-eclipse-viewing-party-apr-8/

Other Olympic Regional Development Authority (ORDA) venues: Whiteface, Gore, etc

Check out an overview of events planned at all the state-owned ski facilities (admission/fees may apply): https://orda.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/10/Olympic-Authority-2024-Eclipse-Activities-as-of-October-2023.pdf

Solar Fest, Saranac Lake

An afternoon celebration, from 2-6 p.m. throughout the village. Event highlights include live music, art exhibits, food and drinks. More info here: https://www.saranaclake.com/events/saranac-lake-solar-fest

Blue Mountain Lake

UPDATE: THIS EVENT IS SOLD OUT. The Adirondack Experience museum (ADKX) is planning a special day of programming on April 8, from 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. Activities include eclipse art activities, yoga, campfire & s’mores, food trucks, music, a NASA livestream of the eclipse, commemorative photo-ops, and more. Free eclipse glasses and guaranteed on-site parking are included with ticket purchase. Parking lot will only be open to event ticket holders. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.theadkx.org.

At the Adirondack Lakes Center for the Arts (ALCA) doors will be open to the public from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. to serve food and beverages and provide eclipse-viewing glasses as part of a special $20 deal. Live entertainment takes the Arts Center stage with local band Yod Crewsy and the Yod Squad from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. With the glasses, guests may choose chicken & stars or veggies & stars soup (gluten-free options available) along with cornbread and a hot beverage. Meals are limited to the first 250 visitors. To add to our 2024 Eclipse event headcount and for more information on all Arts Center programming, visit adirondackarts.org.

Old Forge

The community of Old Forge has put together a weekend slate of events, ranging from live music to space talks and a portable planetarium exhibit at View Arts Center. More info here: https://allevents.in/old%20forge/total-solar-eclipse-2024/200025557336532

Eclipse train

A round trip from Utica to the path of solar eclipse totality in Old Forge. More information: https://adirondackrr.com/utica/the-eclipse-train/

Riding rail bikes

Revolution Rail will open early this year for the weekend leading to April 8 to allow eclipse enthusiasts, and others, to ride the rail bikes. They will accommodate 44 passengers on 16 bikes. 

“We usually don’t open until early May. But this was a once in a lifetime opportunity to see a total eclipse,” said Molly McCarthy, Rev Rail general manager of the Adirondacks. She said they are planning to help people take trips the weekend before April 8 to Saranac Lake and Tupper Lake and hope to set up totality viewing from the trestle bridge over the Hudson River near North Creek.

Other locations hosting events:

This list is just a starting place for now. From Point au Roche State Park and other points along Lake Champlain to the Paul Smith’s College VIC, there are events happening in many communities. Check out this list of events compiled by I Love NY: https://www.iloveny.com/blog/post/best-2024-total-solar-eclipse-viewing-spots-in-the-adirondacks/

Send your event announcement to melissa@adirondackexplorer.org

Photo at top: Over three dozen people participated in the Partial Eclipse Watch at the Adirondack Sky Center & Observatory in Tupper Lake on Oct. 14, 2023. Despite the forecast, the clouds parted several times during the 90-minute celestial event during which approximately 20% of the sun was covered by the moon — creating the image of a “bite” being taken out of the sun for those able to view the event properly. Explorer file photo by Tom French