The 10 Best Places to Watch the Solar Eclipse in the US

Mark your calendars now: the next total solar eclipse is coming on Aug. 21. You don't want to miss it — considering the last time this happened in the US was in 1991. It's become such a must-see event that the solar eclipse has a nickname: the Great American Eclipse! It's also why we've picked out a few destinations to see it in the US ahead.

Why is a solar eclipse so special? It's when the moon covers the sun for a few minutes, essentially plunging wherever you are into a bit of darkness. NASA estimates that 391 million people will see it in the US. The solar eclipse starts in Oregon at 9:05 a.m. PT and will end in Charleston, SC, at 2:48 p.m. ET. Keep reading to see where you should see it, along with the time of the eclipse.

01
Madras, OR
Flickr user oregonstateuniversity

Madras, OR

Time: 10:19 a.m. PT

02
Nashville
Flickr user thomashawk

Nashville

Time: 1:27 p.m. CT

03
Snake River Valley, ID
Flickr user onasill

Snake River Valley, ID

Time: 11:33 a.m. MT

04
Columbia, SC
Flickr user 22711505@N05

Columbia, SC

Time: 2:41 p.m. ET

05
Casper, WY (Grand Teton National Park)
Flickr user closee

Casper, WY (Grand Teton National Park)

Time: 11:42 a.m. MT

06
Hopkinsville, KY
Flickr user jstephenconn

Hopkinsville, KY

Time: 1:22 p.m. CT

08
St. Joseph, MO
Flickr user jacdupree

St. Joseph, MO

Time: 1:06 p.m. CT

09
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Flickr user captkodak

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Time: 2:35 p.m. ET

10
Carbondale, IL
Flickr user jstephenconn

Carbondale, IL

Time: 1:20 p.m. CT