We are a month out from one of the biggest celestial shows of the year. On April 8, 2024, a total solar eclipse will take over the sky, casting a swathe of the United States, including the western and northwestern portions of the Greater Cincinnati area, in complete darkness for just about two-and-half minutes (around 3:09-3:17 p.m., depending where you are in this path of totality) as the shadow of the moon moves directly in front of the sun.

And Greater Cincinnati is taking advantage of its place in the sun with plenty of eclipse viewing events, parties and activities happening around town on Monday, April 8 and the weekend leading up to it. Whether you just want to sit in peace and watch the eclipse, bike along some scenic trails while the moon and sun do their thing or craft the wildest tinfoil hat imaginable, there’s a space for everyone to have the eclipse day of their dreams. Keep scrolling to see some of our favorite spots to watch the eclipse.

Cincinnati Observatory 3489 Observatory Place, Mount Lookout Built in 1873, the Cincinnati Observatory is the oldest public observatory in the United States, housing fully-functional 19th century telescopic technology for the public to use. Seated atop Mount Lookout, the original building and the infamous dome added in 1895 are a significant fixture in the city’s history. Known as “The Birthplace of American Astronomy,” the Cincinnati Observatory is a bedrock for astronomical discoveries and advancement. Photo: Brittany Thornton Photo: Brittany Thornton
Miami Whitewater Forest 9001 Mt. Hope Road, Harrison Who says Cincinnati has to revolve around the Ohio River? Canoe, kayak and fish on the Miami Whitewater Forest Park. The harbor overlooks the 85-acre lake where you can rent rowboats, motor boats, hydrobikes, kayaks and canoes, paddleboards and bikes. Photo via Facebook.com/GreatParksHC Photo: facebook.com/GreatParksHC
Oxford, Ohio Distance: 1 hour You don’t have to be a college student to enjoy a weekend in Oxford, Ohio. Enjoy connecting with nature at one of Oxford’s many nature trails. Hueston Woods State Park and lodge is right nearby for fossil hunting, camping, golfing, fishing, boating, hiking, horseback riding and picnicking. Take a historic walking tour of the uptown business district or take a trip through the beautiful Miami University campus. Go shopping and grab something to eat downtown and try to avoid drunk college kids. Photo: Tmariemdith, Creative Commons
Liberty Center The Liberty Center DORA includes businesses in the outdoor mall, with boundaries at Liberty Way, Taylor Street and Warehouse Row. Hours are noon-midnight daily. Photo: facebook.com/libertycenterohio
Holtkamp Winery 10868 Woliung Road, Sunman Un-wine-d for path-of-totality eclipse viewing at this Sunman winery. Set up your lawn chairs and bring out your eclipse glasses while you enjoy a delicious brick-oven pizza and a glass (or several) of Holtkamp’s wines. Tasting room and kitchen hours will be from noon to 5 p.m. Monday, April 8. Photo: facebook.com/holtkampwinery
Eclipse Watch Party at Niederman Family Farm 5110 Lesourdsville West Chester Road, Liberty Township Make some family memories at Niederman Family Farm’s “solar-bration.” The farm is in the path of totality, so you’ll get a great view of the eclipse, and there’s plenty of other fun to be had while you wait. The event runs from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $20 and includes a pair of commemorative eclipse glasses, a raffle ticket and unlimited access to activities. For $30, you get the glasses and activities, plus three raffle tickets and a snack pack. Guests 24 months and younger do not need a ticket. Photo: facebook.com/niedermanfamilyfarm
Brookville Lake 14108 State Route 101, Brookville, Indiana A lakefront park only an hour from downtown Cincinnati that offers camping, hiking and boating in addition to a beach that you can kick back and relax on. Photo via Facebook.com/BrookvilleLakecom Photo: Facebook.com/BrookvilleLakecom
Whitetail Acres Christmas Tree Farm 9127 Cooley Road, Brookville, Indiana Whitetail Acres offers you the chance to buy a pre-cut or balled and burlapped tree or to head out into the field to cut your own Norway Spruce, White Pine or Canaan Fir. They provide saws, tree shaking and bailing, tree drilling, cut-tree pick-up, hayrides, hot chocolate and cider for free. They will also have bonfires and a special chance to interact with a live reindeer. Reindeer Encounters take place at the Garden Center (8001 Old Blue Creek Road, Brookville) and cost $20 per person; free for children under 2. Book at whitetailacrestreefarm.com/reindeer. You’ll be able to feed and pet the reindeer in their barnyard and learn about where they’re from and how they fly, plus enjoy free refreshments and a bonfire. Whitetail also offers freshly crafted wreaths, swags and roping for sale. Opens 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Nov. 27 with hours 11 a.m.-6 p.m. weekdays and 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays through Dec. 23. Reindeer encounters go until February 2021. Photo: facebook.com/WhitetailAcresTreeFarm Photo: facebook.com/WhitetailAcresTreeFarm
Village Green Park 301 Wessel Drive, Fairfield Starting a 1:30 p.m., you can head to Village Green Park in Fairfield to experience eclipse totality. The park will have some kids’ activities to keep the little ones entertained while you wait for the moon to do its thing, and there will also be giveaways leading up to the eclipse. Photo: facebook.com/fairfieldparks
Hilltop Restaurant 300 Main St., Brookville Brookville’s Hilltop restaurant will kick off the eclipse weekend with a Neon Moon Party on Friday, April 5. Enjoy $2 draft specials, custom neon drinks and its full menu until 10 p.m. The outdoor patio will be open, and you can bring the whole family. Following that, the restaurant offer live music on Saturday, April 6, pop-up shops on Sunday, April 7 and a full kitchen and viewing area for the eclipse on Monday, April 8. Photo: facebook.com/Hilltop Restaurant
Planning for Darkness in Downtown Middletown 1050 Central Ave., Middletown Middletown will be in complete darkness from 3:09 p.m. to 3:11 p.m. Monday, April 8, and you can visit their downtown area for a variety of activities leading up to the big sky show. The city will have a viewing area with a DJ in the Swallen’s Lot from noon to 4:30 p.m. that day. Some downtown businesses will also be hosting eclipse specials the weekend before, and you can get free eclipse glasses from those participating businesses, as well as at the Middletown MidPointe Library from April 1-7 (limit of two per person) while supplies last. Photo: Google Maps
Metamora, Indiana Distance: 1 hour This beautiful canal town in Indiana offers an step back in time to the 1800s. Visit the beautiful Metamora Grist Mill, an operational water-power mill that grinds cornmeal and flour which you are able to purchase. Take a ride on the scenic Whitewater Valley Railroad that travels along the canal. There’s also lots of antiquing here. Photo: Chris Flook, Creative Commons
Cincinnati Off-Road Alliance Bike and Trail Expo When: March 2 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Where: MadTree Brewing, Oakley What: A gathering of outdoor and cycling enthusiasts showcase Cincinnati’s trail infrastructure and information about the outdoor recreation community. Who: Cincinnati Off-Road Alliance Why: Check out CityBeat’s preview of the event here. Photo: instagram.com/coramtb
Backroads Vineyard 11116 Tuggle Road, Laurel, Indiana Indulge in a peaceful eclipse vibe with wine at Laurel, Indiana’s Backroads Vineyard. On Monday, April 8, the tasting area will be open without needing reservations. It also has the benefit of being in a remote area with minimal light intrusion. Photo: facebook.com/backroadsvineyard
Buck Creek State Park 1976 Buck Creek Lane, Springfield State park Buck Creek is welcoming eclipse watchers to its grounds, which are in the path of totality, Monday, April 8. From 1:30-4:30 p.m., a naturalist will be at the Buck Creek Campground Beach directing the viewing and answering questions. You can also stop by the camp store from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. to learn how to make a pinhole projector for safe eclipse viewing, as well as other fun, sun-themed crafts. Wrap up the day with a naturalist-guided sunset hike from 6-7 p.m. Photo: facebook.com/ohiodnr
Mooned on Main Street in Brookville Approximately 459 Main St., Brookville Party on Brookville’s Main Street and enjoy some fun ahead of the eclipse with Mooned on Main. Music, food vendors and arts and cultural events will take place on the Franklin County Courthouse lawn, and Main Street’s shops will be open. The event will run from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Monday, April 8. Photo: Google Maps
Hueston Woods State Park College Corner, Ohio Distance: About 1 hour This park surrounds Acton Lake, where visitors can fish and canoe. Its almost 3,000 acres of recreation land also include hiking and fossil hunting sites. Other amenities include an archery range, dog park, disc golf course and other sports facilities. Photo: Hailey Bollinger Photo: Hailey Bollinger
Franklin County Park 7178 Blue Creek Road, Brookville From 9 a.m. to dusk, Franklin County Park will host a pickleball-playing and eclipse-watching party. All pickleball abilities are welcome to join in, and there will also be music and food. Photo: franklincountyin.com
Edgewater Sports Park 4819 E. Miami River Road, Cleves Edgewater Sports Park will be right at the edge of totality, and they’ll be combining eclipse viewing with some family-friendly fun, including live music, drag racing and plenty of food and beverages. To beat the crowds, the facility will also offer primitive camping all weekend leading up to the eclipse. Monday activities kick off at 11 a.m., and entry is $25 per car. Photo: facebook.com/edgewaterrace
Eclipse & Sips in Bellevue 119 Fairfield Ave., Bellevue It’s not in the path of totality, but Bellevue offers a lovely view of the Ohio River and downtown Cincinnati as a setting for eclipse viewing. From 1-3 p.m. Monday, April 8, you can hang out on the upper deck of steakhouse MRBL’s parking lot to watch the moon move in front of the sun. The event will also have some fun space education opportunities, activities, mocktails from iconic bartender Molly Wellmann, light bites and more. Photo: Google Maps
Eclipse Window Tinting 2669 E. Kemper Road, Sharonville It’s not in the path of totality, but Eclipse Window Tinting has the perfect name for the celestial event. The business is hosting a special, free solar eclipse viewing party on Monday, April 8 from noon to 4:30 p.m. The cruise-in will offer free glasses, free parking and food trucks. Photo: facebook.com/321tint
Party in the Dark: A Solarbration at Community Park in Monroe 412 Old St., Monroe Monroe’s Community Park is located just outside the path of totality, so you can gather with friends and family and party as day turns to night briefly during the “Solarbration.” The festivities begin at noon and run until 8 p.m., with the park experiencing near-total darkness around 3:17 p.m. The park will also have live music, family-friendly activities, food trucks and more. Photo: Google Maps

Katherine Barrier is a graduate of the University of Cincinnati’s journalism program and has nearly 10 years of experience reporting local and national news as a digital journalist. At CityBeat, she...