9 Boston Area Spots To Watch The Solar Eclipse
Those hoping to see the sun disappear entirely from the sky at 2:46 PM on Monday August 21 will have to head west to Tennessee, Nebraska, Oregon or Idaho. New England may not be in the eclipse’s path of totality, but Boston residents will still witness an incredible phenomenon.
The moon is expected to block approximately 63% of the sun’s light – a view that will be visible from any tall building or open field in Massachusetts. If you’d like to get a little fancier with your viewing experience, several Boston-area businesses are offering family-friendly viewing parties.
Don’t forget to grab a pair of eclipse glasses, or make your own NASA-approved eclipse viewer!
1. Watertown Public Library
#patioseason?Staff from the Watertown Library will be at nearby Saltonstall Park with fun activities, eclipse snacks, and free eclipse glasses for visitors. They plan to livestream the eclipse from inside the library if the weather is cloudy or rainy.
2. Boston Public Library
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Several branches of the Boston Public Library have planned special events and eclipse parties for Monday afternoon. The Adams Street Branch in Dorchester will serve sun tea and sundaes, the main branch in Copley Square will have activity stations to teach children about eclipses, and the Mattapan location will provide cookies and eclipse-themed crafts for kids.
3. MIT Campus
The Kresge Oval at MIT is open to visitors and will feature free eclipse glasses and two special sun-safe telescopes for guests to take turns viewing the phenomenon close-up. Unfortunately, the official MIT eclipse party at Wallace Observatory is sold out.
4. Boston Children’s Museum
Spend the morning with family at the Boston Children’s Museum and stay for the eclipse! The boardwalk outside makes for an excellent viewing spot and museum staff will provide observation packets to the kids so they can draw what the sun looks like at various stages of the eclipse. Free viewing glasses will be provided.
5. Northeastern Physics Department Eclipse Viewing
Northeastern’s lovely Centennial Common is a wide open spot to enjoy the view. Members from the University’s Physics department will be on hand to answer questions about the eclipse and a livestream of the event will play indoors in case of bad weather.
6. Solar Eclipse Lunch Party at Henrietta’s Table
Henrietta’s Table at the Charles Hotel in Cambridge will offer eclipse glasses with the purchase of a Total Eclipse cocktail or mocktail. Pop on over on your lunch break!
7. Spectacle Island Eclipse Party
#summer #spectacleisland #boston #massachusetts #ferry #sea #bostonharbor #cruise #髪ばっさり切った！The Spectacle Island park rangers will be teaching visitors all about the science behind the eclipse. It is recomended that you register in advance to ensure a spot on the 11:30 AM ferry from Rowes Wharf. The ferry will likely sell out and only registered visitors will receive free eclipse glasses.
8. Bar Louie’s “Total Eclipse of the Bar”
The rooftop bar at Bar Louie in Foxborough is a great spot to relax with friends and enjoy a drink and a snack as the moon and the sun come together. They will also be providing free eclipse glasses to all Monday afternoon patrons.
9. Cohasset Paddling Eclipse Party
Love to kayak? Cohasset Paddle Sports is offering a special eclipse event. $135 covers an instructional class, a guided paddling excursion, and snacks on shore. There’s no better view than the wide open skies above the ocean!