Solar Eclipse Viewings and Activities in the New York Area

For the first time in 99 years, the solar eclipse will be visible to the entire continental United States on Monday, August 21. Here’s how you can celebrate this rare occurrence in the New York area.

A solar eclipse is a natural phenomenon in which the moon passes between the sun and Earth and blocks all or part of the sun. For the first time since 1918, this year’s solar eclipse will be visible to the entire continental United States and will cross through the West and East coasts on Monday, August 21. Though New York is not in the line of path to see the total eclipse, we will be treated to a partial eclipse, with the best view at around 2:40pm EST.

If you want to see the total solar eclipse, it will be viewable in select areas of Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Nebraska, Kansas, Iowa, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina.

To celebrate this rare occurrence, many New York institutions are hosting special events and viewing parties to see this amazing sight—just make sure to wear special eclipse glasses to protect your eyes! Here are all of the family-friendly events happening in the New York area, including Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Westchester County, and Long Island:

Solar Eclipse Activities in Manhattan 

FREE Astronomy: Understanding Eclipses
WHEN: Sunday, August 13, 2-3pm
WHERE: Payson Center, Inwood Hill Park, Payson Avenue and Dyckman Street, Inwood
AGES: All
WHAT: Jason Kendall of the Amateur Astronomer Association will present facts on solar eclipses and viewing tips in preparation for this rare occasion.
WANT TO GO? 212-772-0210. nycgovparks.org.
 

FREE Summer Stories and STEAM
WHEN: August 10-17, Thursdays, 3pm
WHERE: Inwood Library, 4790 Broadway, Inwood
AGES: 3-8
WHAT: Join in for stories and a STEAM craft project from marble painting to making "moon" sand in time for the eclipse on August 21.
WANT TO GO? 212-942-2445. nypl.org/locations/inwood.

FREE Crafty Afternoons: Solar Eclipse Craft
WHEN: Friday, August 18, 3pm
WHERE: Columbus Library, 742 Tenth Ave., Hell’s Kitchen
AGES: All
WHAT: Make a craft to celebrate the solar eclipse.
WANT TO GO? 212-586-5098. nypl.org/locations/columbus.

Hayden Special Event: Total Solar Eclipse
WHEN: Monday, August 21, 12-3pm
WHERE: Hayden Planetarium Space Theater, American Museum of Natural History, Central Park West and 79th Street
AGES: 9 and older
WHAT: Head to the AMNH to watch NASA's live broadcast of the Total Solar Eclipse and learn more about this rare celestial event.
WANT TO GO? $27; $22 seniors and students; $16 children ages 2-12; free for children younger than 2. 212-769-5100. amnh.org.

BOGO Solar Eclipse MAGNUM Bar
WHEN: Monday, August 21, 1-4pm
WHERE: MAGNUM New York, 875 Washington St., Meatpacking District
AGES: All
WHAT: Buy one get one bar free for the solar eclipse. Guests can try the limited-edition Solar Eclipse MAGNUM Bar with edible 24k gold flakes, or can customize their own creations with exclusively “dark toppings,” such as dark chocolate crisp pearls, black lava sea salt, chopped brownie bits, and espresso sugar.
WANT TO GO? $8 one bar. magnumicecreamus.com.

Solar Eclipse Activities in Brooklyn 

Celestial Exploration
WHEN: August 19-20, Saturday-Sunday, 10am-4:45pm
WHERE: Brooklyn Children’s Museum, 145 Brooklyn Ave.
AGES: 3-8
WHAT: Join this celebration of outer space by highlighting the solar eclipse and Aviation Day on August 21. Explore the sky through interactive science activities. Bring home a full day of expansive fun and interstellar memories.
WANT TO GO? $11. 718-735-4400. brooklynkids.org.

FREE Solar Eclipse Viewing Party
WHEN: Monday, August 21, 1:30-4pm
WHERE: Clinton Hill Library, 380 Washington Ave., Clinton Hill
AGES: All
WHAT: Come make a pinhole viewer and decorate the sidewalk with chalk drawings of your favorite planets or constellations.
WANT TO GO? 718-398-8713. bklynlibrary.org/locations/clinton-hill.

Solar Eclipse Activities in Queens 

FREE Brick Builders: Solar Eclipse
WHEN: Tuesday, August 15, 2-3pm
WHERE: Glendale Library, 78-60 73rd Place, Glendale
AGES: 4-12
WHAT: Join us for a special solar eclipse-themed Brick Builders and help make a model of the sun and moon using Lego bricks.
WANT TO GO? 718-821-4980. queenslibrary.org/branch/glendale.