10 Places to View the Solar Eclipse in DC, Virginia & MD 2024

According to the Air and Space Museum's Eclipse Festival website, the eclipse will be visible in the Washington, DC area on Monday, April 8 between 2:04 pm and 4:32 pm. Maximum eclipse will be at 3:20 pm, with the Sun 87% covered by the Moon.

Table of Contents:

Places to View Solar Eclipse in DC (1)
Places to View Eclipse in Virginia (7)
Maryland Viewing Spots (2)
Eclipse Glasses (Prime 1 Day Delivery!)

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Places to See the Solar Eclipse in DC

#1 Solar Eclipse Festival on the National Mall

Location: On the National Mall between 4th and 12th Street
Cost: Free!
"The event will run from 12 to 4 pm along the National Mall between 4th and 12th Streets. Browse the many activity stations to view the Sun in a variety of safe telescopes, and explore the different educational offerings."
More info here!
Our family review about the Air and Space Museum here.

Places to See the Solar Eclipse in Virginia

#2 Huntley Meadows Wetlands - Alexandria Virginia

Free!
Beautiful spot to view from the boardwalks.
Our family review about Huntley Meadows here.

#3 - #6 Fairfax County Park Eclipse Events - $10 Per Person with Limited # of Solar Glasses

Ellanor C. Lawrence Park (2:00 - 4:00 p.m.)
Burke Lake Park (2:00 - 4:00 p.m.)
Historic Huntley (1:30 - 4:30 p.m.)
Turner Farm Park (1:30 - 4:30 p.m.)

"Event admission is $10 per person. Each location will have a limited number of eclipse-viewing glasses, and sun-spotting scopes will be available to view the eclipse thanks to donations from the Fairfax County Park Foundation. Participants are encouraged to bring portable chairs and blankets. Register with FCPA online!"

#7 View the Solar Eclipse at Shenandoah National Park - 2 hours from DC

Any of the over 100 overlooks would be great spots to view the Solar Eclipse!
Cost: $30 per vehicle.
Kid-Friendly Hikes in the Park here.

#8 Netherlands Carillon Hill Overlooking Monuments - Arlington

1. Beautiful hill over looking the monuments.
2. Free but parking is harder to find.

Places to See the Solar Eclipse in Maryland

#9 Maryland Science Center

10 AM the Maryland Science Center will have a variety of different eclipse themed events.
"You create your own pinhole viewer and customize a pair of eclipse glasses. Tickets are offered to their rooftop observatory. "
My Where to Park and more FAQ blog post

#10 Great Falls State Park

Located on the Potomac River, Great Falls Maryland Side (our family's preference) offers dramatic landscapes as a backdrop to the solar eclipse. The park's clear skies make it an ideal location for viewing!