On April 8, parts of Indiana will experience its first total solar eclipse since August 7, 1869, and its last until September 14, 2099. Up to 600,000 eclipse chasers could arrive on April 8, many of them heading to cities like Indianapolis, Bloomington, Muncie, Richmond & Wayne County and Terre Haute.
What about the rest of Indiana? “There are so many great small towns and rural communities in the path of totality in Indiana that few normally visit,” said Indiana-based Dan McGlaun, an eclipse expert at Eclipse 2024, which has an interactive map and eclipse simulator, in an interview. “Some of them are amazing places to watch this eclipse.”
So get away from the busy roads and the traffic, swerve the cities and go find a place with small-town charm and you’ll see Indiana it its best light—the light of totality.
Here are 11 locations in the path of totality in Indiana:
Danville
Where: Danville, Hendricks County, central Indiana
Time and duration of totality: 3:05 p.m. CDT, 3 minutes 29 seconds
More information
This small town in the heart of central Indiana will have a camping event at the Hendricks County 4-H Fairgrounds. Nearby, W.S. Gibbs Memorial Park/Recreation/Parks & Gardens will stage a viewing event with free eclipse glasses for the first 750 guests.
Vincennes
Where: Knox County, southwestern Indiana
Time and duration of totality: 3:02 p.m. CDT, 4 minutes 5 seconds
More information
A four-day festival—the Dark Side Bash—of science, arts and music events will take place on the Rendezvous Grounds, the George Rogers Clark National Historic Park, Historic Riverfront Pavilion and Main Street. Pink Floyd tribute act Think Floyd wil lead a performance of “The Final Countdown” on April 8.
Knightstown
Where: Henry County, central Indiana
Time and duration of totality: 3:06 p.m. CDT, 4 minutes 0 seconds
More information
Expect small town charm in Knightstown, which is best known for Hoosier Gym, a filming location for the 1986 basketball movie Hoosiers. Summit Lake State Park will be open for day visitors.
Santa Claus
Where: Spencer County, southwestern Indiana
Time and duration of totality: 3:04 p.m. CDT, 1 minute 46 seconds
More information
Known for its all-year-round Christmas theme, Santa Claus is planning eclipse events at its Lincoln Amphitheatre, Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial, Lincoln State Park, Monkey Hollow Winery and Distillery, Santa Claus Brewing Co. And Santa Claus Museum & Village.
Tulip
Where: Tulip, between Bloomfield and Solsberry, Greene County, southwestern Indiana
Time and duration of totality: 3:04 p.m. CDT, 4 minutes 4 seconds
More information and tickets
Tulip in Southern Indiana is home to the Tulip Trestle, a 2,307-foot-long and 157-foot tall steel-girded railroad trestle built in 1906, the third longest railroad bridge in the world. “In terms of photo opportunities, an eclipsed sun over the Tulip Trestle railroad bridge is perfect,” said McGlaun. Nearby is the Indiana Solar Eclipse Festival at Wagler Motorsports Park.
Greensburg
Where: Decatur County, southeastern Indiana
Time and duration of totality: 3:06 p.m. CDT, 3 minutes 31 seconds
More information
Thousands of visitors to come to Greensburg each year to see a tree growing out of the top of the tower of the courthouse of Decatur County. “You could get a picture of the eclipsed sun right next to the tree,” said McGlaun. “That will be an iconic photograph!”
Carmel
Where: Hamilton County, central Indiana
Time and duration of totality: 3:06 p.m. CDT, 3 minutes 28 seconds
More information
A likely destination for visitors from Chicago, South Bend and Fort Wayne is this affluent town in northern Indiana, which has a free, public observing event planned for its Civic Square. Visitors will be able to tour the town’s famous Arts & Design District and watch national broadcasts from NASA on a big screen at Midtown Plaza. Nearby is Park Side Of The Moon at Cool Creek Park.
French Lick & West Baden
Where: French Lick, Orange County, central Indiana
Time and duration of totality: 3:04 p.m. CDT, 3 minutes 7 seconds
More information
It fell into disrepair for 50 years, but West Baden Springs Hotel – one of two hotels at French Lick Resort – has been restored to its turn-of-the-century splendor.
Franklin
Where: Franklin, Johnson County, central Indiana
Time and duration of totality: 3:05 p.m. CDT, 4 minutes 1 second
More information
Just south of Indianapolis, Franklin is going to be busy on April 8. “Franklin is one of the communities that has everyone on board, with all of its businesses shutting down and huge parties planned,” said McGlaun.
Lebanon
Where: Boone County, central Indiana
Time and duration of totality: 3:06 p.m. CDT, 2 minutes 38 seconds
More information
This town northwest of Indianapolis is having a “Total Eclipse in the Heart” 19080-themed celebration complete with live music, lasers and Rubik’s Cubes. Organizers are putting together a time capsule they hope will be opened on February 25, 2343, the date of Lebanon’s next total solar eclipse.
Race To The Eclipse
Where: Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park, Hendricks County, southern Indiana
Time and duration of totality: 3:05 p.m. CDT, 3 minutes 35 seconds
More information (free admission)
Witness the exhilarating spectacle of cars racing down the dragstrip during the eclipse. It’s also possible to camp for a couple of nights.
For the latest on all aspects of April 8’s total solar eclipse in North America, check my main feed for new articles each day.
Wishing you clear skies and wide eyes.
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