Solar eclipse 2024: Erie is in path of totality. Here's what to know

Turn your eyes to the sky — safely, of course — and take in the total solar eclipse in Erie. April 8 promises to find Erie with some of the best seats in North America to view the first total solar eclipse visible from the continent since 2017.

Erie County's biggest one-day tourism event ever?

Big events — the kind that fill hotel rooms and provide a shot of adrenaline to the local economy — come in all shapes and sizes.

An event that could be far more fleeting — at 3 minutes and 42 seconds — is expected to draw some of the biggest crowds to Erie in history.

How will Erie prepare for the influx of people all angling for a view of this astronomical event? Here's what Presque Isle State Park officials had to say.

Early April is usually a slow time at the park, but the solar eclipse that day is expected to bring up to 30,000 people to Presque Isle, depending on the weather, said Matt Greene, the park's operations manager.

Where can I stay for the April Eclipse?

Hotels have been filling up since last year, and in August 2023 rooms were already becoming rare and pricey. With between 65,000 and 260,000 out-of-town visitors expected, according to VisitErie, it's no wonder lodging is hard to come by.

Want more eclipse coverage?

Return to GoErie.com for continuing coverage leading up to and during this event.

This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Solar eclipse 2024: Erie PA is prime viewing