There are many wonders of our universe that tantalize the mind, but non as tangible and magical as catching the brief moments when the sun is blotted out.
To see such marvels many believe you need Elon Musk’s money and resources.
But any able traveler can take witness to this special event with the best seat in the house- and all you need is to set your sights on a destination you never thought you’d add to your itinerary.
Get ready, because on April 8, 2024, stargazers around the country will gather to see a total solar eclipse.
What exactly is this phenomenon?
The moon will pass between the sun and the earth, casting a shadow on earth that will block the sun completely.
You have to be in the perfect spot because this apocalyptic like event will only last as long as four minutes and 28 seconds, according to Travel and Leisure.
And, if you aren’t in the path of totality, you will only get a partial view of the eclipse.
In the United States, the locations determined by experts to give you the best view are Texas, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Tennessee, Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, and Maine.
Small Town Feel
Visiting any one of these states would be a great experience but it’s the small town of Broken Bow, Oklahoma that wins the best seat award.
With a population of only 5,000 people, you are sure to get a nice view of the solar eclipse and won’t be short of activities to fill the rest of your outdoor vacation.
The Oklahoma plains cover every postcard, but there are also mountains in the southeast corner of the state where Broken Bow is located that are definitely worth a visit.
While many eager adventurers stop by Broken Bow on their way to Beavers Bend State Park, most don’t stay- leaving you a lot of terrain to take advantage of.
At Broken Bow Lake, you can boat, hike, and fish…
… so be sure to pack a bathing suit along with a nice camera to capture the total solar eclipse closing.
Don’t forget to check out Forest Heritage Center to learn about sustainable forestry, test your lumberjack skills at Bigfoot Axe Throwing, and then close out the night singing “Don’t Stop Believing” at karaoke night at Gutter Chaos.
And don’t worry, despite Oklahoma’s numerous outdoor excursions, you won’t be left to grilling dinner over a campfire every night.
Eat and Sleep Well
Dine at Grateful Head Pizza Oven, then head over to Okie Girls Coffee & Ice Cream for some homemade ice cream before grabbing cocktails at Abendigo’s.
The mountain destination has plenty of cabins for accommodations as well as campsites.
You won’t find five-star lodging on par with more glamorous destinations like New York City or Paris but the Beavers Bend Lodge or Hochatown Lodge will provide everything you need and more.
Parting Tips
In Broken Bow, the eclipse begins at 12:28 pm, according to Travel and Leisure, and ends at 1:50 pm.
There is no direct flight into Broken Bow but you can get airfare to Paris, Texas, only a short 65-mile drive away.
Do you want to bring the family on an out-of-the-box vacation they will remember forever?
Or, do you want to spend a small fortune on a tourist trap where your photo album looks like every other cliché traveler?
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