A total solar eclipse will take place at the Moon’s ascending node on Monday, April 8, which will be visible across entire North America, passing over Mexico, the United States and Canada.

Dubbed the Great North American Eclipse, the total solar eclipse will cross North America passing over Mexico, the United States and Canada on April 8. 

According to a press statement, Visit the USA, USA’s official tourism guide, says that travellers will be able to experience this solar phenomenon from 13 US States in its path. And, the next time this is expected to occur is 2044, thus making it all the more special. 

Visit the USA has identified best locations to capture the  moment.

The South: Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Kentucky 

Dallas, Texas 

Eclipse Timings: From 12:23 CDT to 15:02 CDT, with totality beginning at 13:40 CDT.  

• Where to watch: Dallas offers a glimpse of the world’s prehistoric past at the Dinosaur  Valley State Park where there are 20 miles (32 km) of trails to explore and real dinosaur footprints  preserved in the bed of the Paluxy River. 

• Where to eat: El Bolero Cocina Mexicana is home to authentic, regional Mexican food full of  hearty flavour. Visitors may choose to indulge in traditional banana leaf tamales, carne asada tacos and tasty lobster  enchiladas and wash it down with the restaurant’s signature Cotton Candy Margarita.

• What to do: Whether taking a stroll through Dallas’ Arts District, a walkable centre of creativity spanning 20  blocks and 68 acres, or watching a show from Dallas’ finest performance companies at the AT&T  Performing Arts Centre, options abound. Visitors can also discover the arts and cultures of Asia at the Crow Collection of Asian  Art. 

Poteau, Oklahoma 

Eclipse Timings: From 12:28 CDT to 15:06 pm CDT, with totality beginning at 13:45 CDT.  

• Where to watch: Hike up Cavanal Hill, known as ‘the World’s Tallest Hill’ with its peak  reaching about 610 m for a front-row seat of the celestial spectacle and panoramic views of the  Poteau River Valley. 

• Where to eat: At Myers Drive-In, carhops have been delivering burgers to guests’ rolled-down  windows since 1972. There are plenty of options available here, from tucking into a country-fried steak sandwich, an extra-long coney, or a delicious  shrimp basket.  

• What to do: The gateway to the stunning Ouachita National Forest, head to Lake Wister State  Park to explore 185 km of scenic shoreline and enjoy a variety of water sports, from action packed water skiing to leisurely boating on the lake.    

Little Rock, Arkansas

Eclipse Timings: From 12:33 CDT to 15:11 CDT, with totality beginning at 13:51 CDT.

• Where to watch: Tucked away in the Arkansas River Valley, Pinnacle Mountain State Park offers uninterrupted views to the skies just a 20-minute drive away from the city. Travellers can celebrate the eclipse’s totality at First Security Amphitheater, where critically acclaimed tribute band The Machine will perform Pink Floyd’s iconic album Dark Side of The Moon in its entirety.

• Where to eat: The independently run Dizzy’s Gypsy Bistro offers visitors a taste of the South, and for lunch on the go, try a plate of shrimp tacos and crab at the Boil Co. Food Truck.

• What to do: Be sure to take the self-guided Little Rock Civil Rights Tour and visit historic sites including Little Rock Central High School, home to the Little Rock Nine who critically changed the course of history by integrating the school in 1957.

Paducah, Kentucky

Eclipse Timings: From 12:42 CDT to 15:18 CDT, with totality beginning at 14:00 CDT.  

• Where to watch: The Greenway Trail connects several city parks across five miles,  each offering plenty of open space for optimal eclipse viewing. Shultz Park, presents travellers an  idyllic riverfront spot, with picturesque views overlooking the Ohio River. 

• Where to eat: The Coke Plant, originally built in 1939, was once home to a one-time Coca-Cola bottling plant located in the Midtown neighbourhood. Today, the art deco building houses a  number of small enterprises such as Pipers Tea and Coffee House which serves locally produced  baked goods and roasted coffee and Dry Ground Brewing Company, Paducah’s first microbrewery  serving craft beers. 

• What to do: The National Quilt Museum is a must-visit destination for any trip to Paducah. The  museum comprises three galleries displaying a contemporary collection of award-winning quilts  and rotating travelling exhibitions. Just outside the museum, view one of the area’s most popular  attractions, the Wall to Wall Floodwall Murals, and delve into the story of Paducah’s history  through vibrant painted panels.

The Midwest: Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio  Cape Girardeau, Missouri 

Eclipse Timings: From 12:39 CDT to 15:15 CDT, with totality beginning at 13:56 CDT. 

• Where to watch: The Trail of Tears State Park has 3,415 acres of breathtaking scenery  to uncover, with unparalleled views of the Mississippi river from the observation deck atop one  of the park’s majestic river bluffs. Stop off at the park’s visitor centre to learn about the history of  the park’s namesake, and the forced relocation of the Cherokee People in 1838-1839. 

• Where to eat: Locals love BG’s Deli, a Cape favourite for over 40 years. Try their famous ‘potato skins’ or their specialty BG’s burger and sandwiches. 

• What to do: Experience the small city through a Hollywood lens with the Gone Girl Driving Tour, traversing the filming locations from the 2014 blockbuster movie starring Ben Affleck and  Rosamund Pike.

Southern Illinois, Illinois 

Eclipse Timings: From 12:42 CDT until 15:18 CDT, with totality beginning at 13:59 CDT.  

• Where to watch: Head to the Garden of the Gods, in the Shawnee National Forest, where the blend of a dramatic rocky and dense forested landscape provide the perfect backdrop  for the celestial event. Or watch the eclipse with live music surrounded by the stunning natural  rock formation of the Shawnee Cave Amphitheater. 

• Where to eat: Along the rolling hills of Highway 127, sample the best of Southern Illinois on the Shawnee Hills Wine Trail, home to 11 wineries and vineyards spread over 65 km.

• What to do: Continue the exploration of Illinois’ great outdoor adventures on the Shawnee Bluffs  Canopy Tour with a choice of eight ziplines to zoom through the evergreen forests and sandstone  bluffs.

Indianapolis, Indiana

Eclipse Timings: From 13:45 EDT to 16:20 EDT, with totality beginning at 15:06 EDT.  

• Where to watch: Enjoy the eclipse in true ‘Indy’ style and view the spectacle from the  Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the Racing Capital of the World. 

• Where to eat: Savour a local dining experience at Farm Bloomington, where the menu transforms with each season, offering an eclectic mix of delightful farm to table dishes.

• What to do: Visit Indiana’s oldest bar, the Slippery Noodle Inn, founded in 1850 and listed on the  National Register of Historic Places. A Blues music hotspot, tune in to live performances at the bar  every week.  

Cleveland, Ohio 

Eclipse Timings: From 13:59 EDT to 16:29 EDT, with totality beginning at 15:13 EDT.  

• Where to watch: Capture the moment at Edgewater Park, where the city skyline  glitters on the horizon, and be sure to take a photo with the iconic Cleveland sign. 

• Where to eat: For BBQ with a twist, Mabel’s BBQ offers a signature menu inspired by the city’s  Eastern European heritage; combining a barbecue sauce which features the Cleveland classic  Bertman’s ballpark mustard, and meat smoked over local fruitwood.  

• What to do: Cleveland’s Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Museum is a must-visit for music fans. Home to  impressive memorabilia from John Lennon’s guitar to hip-hop pioneer, Jam Master Jay’s gold  chains. For sports enthusiasts, catch a major league baseball game at the Progressive Field  Stadium, home to the Cleveland Guardians. 

The Northeast: Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine 

Erie, Pennsylvania 

Eclipse Timings: From 14:02 EDT to 16:30 EDT, with totality beginning at 15:16 EDT. 

• Where to watch: Surrounded by shoreline and embellished with 30-m cliffs overlooking the lake, Erie Bluffs State Park is the perfect spot for an ecliptic adventure. 

• Where to eat: Sara’s has been a must-stop spot for visitors and locals for over 40 years, serving  the best milkshakes in town.
• What to do: Erie is framed by beautiful sandy beaches, and Presque Isle State Park is the jewel of  the city. Walk down to Sunset Point – the spot to be to catch a beautiful Pennsylvania sunset. 

Buffalo, New York 

Eclipse Timings: From 14:04 (EDT) to 15:15 (EDT), with totality beginning at 13:56 (EDT).

• Where to watch: Just 20 minutes from Buffalo, catch the eclipse from Niagara Falls State Park, beneath the natural wonder of the waterfall. 
• Where to eat: A must-try in Buffalo is its namesake Buffalo wings, and where better to try them  then at Anchor Bar, the home of the original Buffalo Wing created 60 years ago. 
• What to do: History buffs can walk where President Theodore Roosevelt took the oath of office  at the Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site. 

Burlington, Vermont 

Eclipse Timings: From 14:14 (EDT) to 16:37 (EDT), with totality beginning at 15:26 (EDT).  

• Where to watch: Outdoor-lovers will relish in the sights of the eclipse from Battery Park, overlooking Lake Champlain and the distant Adirondack mountains.

• Where to eat: Shanty on the Shore offers fresh seafood and a dining experience amongst the  serenity of the Burlington Harbour waterfront. 
• What to do: Swap the peacefulness of the outdoors for the bustle of Church Street Marketplace,  a pedestrian-only outdoor shopping centre spanning four blocks of local shops and restaurants.  Much of the marketplace is a National Register Historic District, and some of the buildings date to  the 1820s. 

Lancaster, New Hampshire 

Eclipse Timings: From 14:16 EDT to 16:37 EDT, with totality beginning at 15:26 EDT.  

• Where to watch: Uncover the sweeping surrounding landscapes of New Hampshire  at Weeks State Park or Milan Hill State Park, and watch the eclipse fall over the valleys and  mountains that garnish the park.  

• Where to eat: Polish Princess Bakery has the best baked goods in Coos County while Copper Pig  Brewery offers seasonal brews. 

• What to do: Take a trip down memory lane at the Rialto Theatre, a classic retro theatre but with  up-to-date digital projectors, sound system and screens. 

Maine 

Eclipse Timings: From 14:22 EDT to 16:40 EDT, with totality beginning at 15:32 EDT. 

• Where to watch: Maximise the eclipse experience amongst Maine’s natural beauty,  and head to Baxter State Park and witness the eclipse amidst the backdrop of Katahdin, the state’s  tallest mountain.

• Where to eat: At the Appalachian Trail Cafe try the state’s specialty dish, the staple Maine  blueberry pie, or the fan-favourite squash doughnuts.  

• What to do: Literature lovers can retrace the epic trip that inspired Henry David Thoreau’s The  Maine Woods on the Thoreau-Wabanaki Trail, embarking on hiking trails, canoeing adventures or  fly fishing.