TRAVEL
Best places to watch this summer’s solar eclipse
![Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve in Idaho offers a certain symmetry: a place to watch an eclipse involving the moon on a landscape named after the moon.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.desmoinesregister.com/gcdn/-mm-/98f427f30e1bf3ab6a73501297eb9dde52faaa53/c=0-104-2042-1258/local/-/media/2017/03/02/USATODAY/USATODAY/636240512819505110-idaho-RS---C373C408-1DD8-B71B-0B3543BC9F3914A0-Credit-Craig-Wolfrom.jpg?width=660&height=373&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve in Idaho offers a certain symmetry: a place to watch an eclipse involving the moon on a landscape named after the moon.
Craig Wolfrom![John Day Fossil Beds National Monument, Ore., is already planning for crowds in what’s usually a quiet corner of Oregon.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.desmoinesregister.com/gcdn/-mm-/7a47695fcdbf9723ed631a215b946b4aa4dd7799/c=0-238-1279-960/local/-/media/2017/03/02/USATODAY/USATODAY/636240512798444975-ore-Sheep-Rock-rainbow-Credit-NPS-Photo.jpg?width=660&height=373&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
John Day Fossil Beds National Monument, Ore., is already planning for crowds in what’s usually a quiet corner of Oregon.
NPS![Historic Charleston, S.C., has rolled out an array of packages for the eclipse, from hotel rooftop viewing with a College of Charleston astronomy instructor, to a special blues-and-barbecue harbor cruise on a paddlewheeler.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.desmoinesregister.com/gcdn/-mm-/ab81d501960b2aa5e8ffc07aead1fabfe5e7f5b0/c=0-575-5609-3744/local/-/media/2017/03/02/USATODAY/USATODAY/636240512861469379-sc-FrenchQuarterNight-ExploreCharleston.jpg?width=660&height=373&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Historic Charleston, S.C., has rolled out an array of packages for the eclipse, from hotel rooftop viewing with a College of Charleston astronomy instructor, to a special blues-and-barbecue harbor cruise on a paddlewheeler.
Explore CharlestonGrand Teton National Park, Wyo., sits in the middle of the eclipse path and will experience more than two minutes of darkness.
NPS![Carbondale, Ill., the home of Southern Illinois University, is promoting itself as the “Eclipse Crossroads of America.”](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.desmoinesregister.com/gcdn/-mm-/d10adbf24dd388263dd9e059beaf9f1782817c06/c=0-162-1918-1245/local/-/media/2017/03/02/USATODAY/USATODAY/636240512791112928-ill-Credit-Carbondale-Tourism.jpg?width=660&height=373&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Carbondale, Ill., the home of Southern Illinois University, is promoting itself as the “Eclipse Crossroads of America.”
Carbondale Tourism![Nashville will be the biggest city to experience the celestial event.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.desmoinesregister.com/gcdn/-mm-/a76ea99737403a69816046bcafd51142610f4027/c=0-136-2045-1291/local/-/media/2017/03/02/USATODAY/USATODAY/636240512933697842-tenn-sunset-skyline.jpg?width=660&height=373&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Nashville will be the biggest city to experience the celestial event.
Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp.![In Hopkinsville, Ky., the eclipse coincides with the town’s fifth annual Little Green Men Festival, inspired by a UFO incident from the 1950s.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.desmoinesregister.com/gcdn/-mm-/5cbba45ecc6a00d1cd0e460926dcb5089920bfa6/c=0-61-959-603/local/-/media/2017/03/02/USATODAY/USATODAY/636240512777540841-ky-13178688-1183412811668983-1075564849491685015-n.jpg?width=660&height=374&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
In Hopkinsville, Ky., the eclipse coincides with the town’s fifth annual Little Green Men Festival, inspired by a UFO incident from the 1950s.
Kelly Community Organization![Parts of Great Smoky Mountains National Park will experience more than two minutes of totality. The park has organized three viewing areas, including Cades Cove, Oconaluftee and Clingmans Dome, which will be by ticket only.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.desmoinesregister.com/gcdn/-mm-/8b7cc3bb371bfecb812a0a5d3d79705385c13037/c=595-0-1679-613/local/-/media/2017/03/02/USATODAY/USATODAY/636240512824185140-smokies-Clingmans.jpg?width=660&height=374&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Parts of Great Smoky Mountains National Park will experience more than two minutes of totality. The park has organized three viewing areas, including Cades Cove, Oconaluftee and Clingmans Dome, which will be by ticket only.
Akos Kokai![St. Joseph, Mo., sits near the center of the August eclipse path and has five planned viewing areas.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.desmoinesregister.com/gcdn/-mm-/9d86239d0544f3d1f7b2e818db9c8bc0a84b9170/c=0-432-4208-2809/local/-/media/2017/03/02/USATODAY/USATODAY/636240512880657502-mo-RS---bikes-riverwalk.jpg?width=660&height=373&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
St. Joseph, Mo., sits near the center of the August eclipse path and has five planned viewing areas.
St. Joseph Visitors Bureau, StJoMo.com