Ontario Will See A Rare Total Solar Eclipse In 2024 — Here Are 7 Places To Watch It​

Point Pelee National Park

As the southernmost point of mainland Canada, Point Pelee National Park will be the first location in the country to experience the totality of the solar eclipse.

Located in Leamington, totality will begin here at 3:13 p.m. ET and last for just over two minutes.

A representative for Point Pelee National Park tells Narcity that the park will be collaborating with the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada (RASC) to "provide visitors with a great experience" while viewing the solar eclipse on April 8.

Volunteers from the Windsor chapter of the RASC will be on site delivering presentations and providing information to visitors for the safe viewing of the eclipse, with further details available on the park's website in the coming weeks.

The park will be open from 7 a.m. to dusk on April 8. All entry is first come first serve until the park reaches capacity. The park is expected to be busy, so plan ahead.

Due to the fragile nature of the tip of Point Pelee, access to the area will be limited during the eclipse.

"Visitors will have the opportunity to view the eclipse from many other areas of the park. All beaches and picnic areas provide open view of the sky, and as does the marsh boardwalk," says the representative.

A limited number of eclipse glasses will be available for sale at the park, and there will also be food vendors on site at the visitor centre and marsh boardwalk.

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Niagara Falls

Niagara Falls will have one of the longest durations of totality in the entire province, with the total eclipse set to last for 3 minutes and 32 seconds.

The falls will be a great place to catch the eclipse, which is set to occur right over the iconic landmark.

To celebrate the celestial event, Niagara Parks will be hosting a lineup of events leading up to the solar eclipse on April 8, 2024.

Events include interactive talks and Q&A sessions with NASA and CSA scientists and astronomers, hands-on experiences and more.

According to Niagara Parks, one of the best viewing spots for taking in the eclipse will be the Table Rock Centre.

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Hamilton

Not far from Toronto (which won't be in the path of totality), those viewing the eclipse from Hamilton will be able to experience totality on April 8.

The eclipse will begin in the city at 3:18 p.m. and last for 1 minute and 47 seconds. According to the RASC Hamilton, The last total solar eclipse in Hamilton was on January 24, 1925, and the next won't occur until October 26, 2144.

Hamilton is home to several lookout points and viewing areas that would make for great spots to take in the total solar eclipse.

Hamilton's many conservation areas, which are open from sunrise to sunset, would make for perfect viewing locations.

At Dundas Peak in the Spencer Gorge Conservation Area, viewers can take in the eclipse from a lookout point that offers a offering a stunning view of the escarpment and Dundas and Hamilton. The conservation area is currently operating on a first come first served basis, and fee stations are located in the parking lots.

Other conservation areas in the path of totality include Confederation Beach Park, which is located on the shores of Lake Ontario offers scenic views of the water. An interactive map can be found online to see which areas are in the path of totality.

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Kingston

On April 8, 2024, Kingston will experience its first total solar eclipse in nearly 700 years. The city won't be in the path of totality again until the year 2399, and it's not letting the day pass by uneventfully.

The total solar eclipse will begin in Kingston at about 2:09 p.m. and will reach the path of totality (maximum coverage by the Moon) at 3:23 p.m Totality will last here for 2 minutes and 51 seconds, according to Eclipse2024.

The city of Kingston is celebrating the eclipse in a big way, with special viewing locations, activities, events and performances.

Viewers can see the eclipse at Lake Ontario Park, located on Lake Ontario with waterfront trails and a large open parkland nestled adjacent to Cataraqui Bay. from 1-5 p.m. on Monday, April 8, the park will have special programming and events to celebrate the celestial event, including a performance or Dark Side of the Moon in full and Pink Floyd's greatest hits by Floydium, a beer tent, face painting. Queen's University Eclipse Ambassadors will also be on-site throughout the park to guide viewers through eclipse watching.

Other viewing sites include Breakwater Park, which is located along the shores of Lake Ontario about a 15-minute walk from downtown Kingston, and Woodbine Park, a large park in the city’s west end.

The grounds around Fort Henry National Historic Site will also be open on April 8 with free admission to Fort Henry Hill. The site will host programming leading up to and on the day of the solar eclipse, and visitors will also receive free solar eclipse glasses.

Downtown Kingston will also have a number of activations to celebrate the eclipse, including pop-up events and family activities. Special "eclipse-themed" menus and beverages are also expected from a number of local restaurants.

A full list of events, programming and activities can be found on the Visit Kingston website.

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Fort Erie

Fort Eerie will have the longest duration of totality in all of Canada, with totality set to last for 3 minutes and 45 seconds. 

You'll find several designated viewing areas in town, including the popular Bay Beach and Waverly Beach.

Waverly Beach offers fine sand, a paved trail, benches and free public parking and washrooms. 

Bay Beach, also known as Crystal Beach, has a vast sandy area with beautiful clear water and a viewing deck that extends over the beach. However, entry to Bay Beach is on a first-come, first-served basis, with beach capacity limits in effect. Visitors are also required to have a day pass to access the beach. 

Other designated viewing areas in the town include Ferndale Park, Optimist Park, Crystal Ridge Park, Stevensville Hall/Library/Park and the main parking lot of the Leisureplex. 

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St. Catharines

The city of St. Catharines will also be a great spot to take in the eclipse, with totality set to last for 3 minutes and 14 seconds, giving viewers plenty of time to enjoy the total eclipse.

According to the city, everyone is welcome to observe the total solar eclipse from St. Catharines' parks.

The city says that while anywhere with a clear view of the sky will offer great sightlines for observing the eclipse, some locations are ideal for skywatching, including the Port Dalhousie Piers and nearby Lakeside Park, which offer picturesque vantage points for when the sun begins to disappear over Lake Ontario.

Another great viewing spot can be found at the Lock 3 Viewing Platform overlooking the historic Welland Canal in the city's Discovery Park.

The viewing platform provides an unobstructed view of the sky and is easily accessible by bus, with public parking also available.

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Port Colborne

On April 8, 2024, residents and visitors to Port Colborne will find themselves in the direct path of totality during an historic total eclipse of the sun. This spectacular event will last for almost four minutes, starting at 2:04 p.m. and ending at 4:33 p.m., with totality occurring at 3:18 p.m. and lasting for 3 minutes and 40 seconds.

While full programming is yet to be confirmed, visitors can expect a planetarium show, solar tours, the chance to view the eclipse using a 10-inch Dobsonian Telescope, and talks with science experts from Brock University

Recommended viewing locations include H.H. Knoll Lakeview Park, which offers tons of parking options and a great view of the sky by the water, the Sugarloaf Harbour Marina, West Street/Downtown Port Colborne, which offers a clear view of the sky, and Nickel Beach.

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