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Courtesy of NASA/The Exploratorium

Solar eclipse 2017: Where to see it in Philly

From viewing parties to places with great vantage points

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Editor’s note: This article was originally published on August 10 and has been updated with the most recent information.

On Monday, August 21, the U.S. will experience a total solar eclipse, darkening skies all throughout the country as the moon covers the sun. And while Philly will only experience at partial solar eclipse (80 percent of the sun will be covered), experts say it will still be worthwhile to don some protective eyewear and view such a rare occurrence.

Philly will experience max coverage at 2:44 p.m. on August 21. The whole solar eclipse event is set to take place between 1:21 and 4 p.m.

Franklin Institute’s head astronomer Derrick Pitts says that barring any bad weather, as long as you can see the sun from your location, you’ll be able to witness the event.

But we’ve mapped out the best places in Philly, ordered north to south, that will give you a clear view of the partial solar eclipse. Many of these spots offer high vantage points and great views of the sky, while others include institutions that are hosting viewing parties.

Know of another great spot or viewing party? Let us know in the comments and we’ll add it to the list!

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Benjamin Rush State Park

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This 275-acre park in Northeast Philly just so happens to be the only state park within city limits. It's largely undeveloped and there are big, sweeping fields and meadows that will serve as a perfect spot to camp out for the big viewing.

A post shared by Neil (@bigheadneil) on

Wadsworth Library

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Wadsworth Library will also be hosting a viewing party. Head there at the party’s 2 p.m. start to make an eclipse viewer, then watch the rare sight unfold outside of the library.

A post shared by Bradley Maule (@mauleofamerica) on

Falls of Schuylkill Library

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Live in East Falls? The local library will be live-streaming the total solar eclipse event in its meeting room’s big screen and will have “eclipse-themed snacks” on hand. You’ll also be able to make pinhole viewers if you want to step outside to see the partial solar eclipse.

A post shared by clara bucar (@archclara) on

Wynnefield Library

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Wynnefield Library is one of the Free Library of Philadelphia locations that will be hosting a viewing party of the partial solar eclipse. Materials will be on hand to make your own eclipse viewer, and then everyone will head out to the courtyard to witness the big event. The library will also livestream the total solar eclipse. The party starts at 1 p.m.

Posted by Wynnefield Branch (Free Library of Philadelphia) on Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Belmont Plateau

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Grab a picnic blanket, your safe eclipse viewing equipment, and head up to Belmont Plateau. This big green space sits high above the rest of the city in West Fairmount Park.

Wagner Free Institute of Science

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The Wagner Free Institute of Science will also host a viewing party: You can head out to the lawn and check out the partial eclipse or watch the NASA Eclipse Live Stream in the institute’s lecture hall. Special eclipse glasses will be provided.

Penn Treaty Park

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Penn Treaty Park in Fishtown offers big, sweeping views back toward Center City and toward the Ben Franklin Bridge. Grab a blanket, your protective eyewear, and an Arctic Splash and enjoy the eclipse.

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The Franklin Institute

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The Franklin Institute will be one of the few institutions hosting a viewing party. Its head astronomer, Derrick Pitts, will be in Missouri where he’ll be live broadcasting the actual total solar eclipse. The event runs from 12 to 4 p.m.

Ben Franklin Bridge

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For 360-degree views, make the trek up to the Ben Franklin Bridge, where the pedestrian walkway offers great views up and down the Delaware River. As long as the weather holds out, no doubt this vantage point will offer some pretty epic views of the rare event.

Photo by Melissa Romero

Cira Green

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Cira Green is the only public rooftop park in the city. While it is sandwiched between two soaring towers, it offers big views of Center City, University City, and the Schuylkill River. Astronomer Derrick Pitts of the Franklin Institute assures that if you can see the sun from your location, you’re good to go.

One Liberty Observation Deck

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See the solar eclipse from one of the highest points in Philly: The One Liberty Observation Deck on the 57th floor of One Liberty Place. It’s offering a free upgrade to its “sun and stars” ticket on Sunday, August 20 and Monday, August 21, which means you can visit the spot twice within 48 hours. Upgraded Sun and Stars tickets are $19 for ages 12 and up and $13 for children.

Update: The deck will have materials for a DIY eclipse projector or you can bring you own glasses.

Independence Seaport Museum

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The Independence Seaport Museum on the Delaware River is encouraging folks to bring a blanket or chair to their second floor terrace for a solar eclipse viewing party from 12 to 4 p.m. While eclipse viewers will be available for $3, they’ll be free to museum members who RSVP. Member or non-member, you can snag a ticket to the event here.

Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

Charles Santore Library

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Over by East Passyunk, the Charles Santore Library will be hosting a solar eclipse viewing party starting at 1:30 p.m. You’ll be able to make pinhole viewers, plus learn about the effects of the sun from folks at Bartram’s Garden.

A post shared by Shannon Garrison (@rarface) on

Navy Yard

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Over at Navy Yard’s campus, folks will be gathering at the Marine Parades Grounds to watch the celestial event. The event will run from 1 to 3 p.m., and all the DIY materials will be on hand to create your own solar eclipse viewer.

A post shared by TheBoArts (@theboarts) on

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Benjamin Rush State Park

This 275-acre park in Northeast Philly just so happens to be the only state park within city limits. It's largely undeveloped and there are big, sweeping fields and meadows that will serve as a perfect spot to camp out for the big viewing.

A post shared by Neil (@bigheadneil) on

Wadsworth Library

Wadsworth Library will also be hosting a viewing party. Head there at the party’s 2 p.m. start to make an eclipse viewer, then watch the rare sight unfold outside of the library.

A post shared by Bradley Maule (@mauleofamerica) on

Falls of Schuylkill Library

Live in East Falls? The local library will be live-streaming the total solar eclipse event in its meeting room’s big screen and will have “eclipse-themed snacks” on hand. You’ll also be able to make pinhole viewers if you want to step outside to see the partial solar eclipse.

A post shared by clara bucar (@archclara) on

Wynnefield Library

Wynnefield Library is one of the Free Library of Philadelphia locations that will be hosting a viewing party of the partial solar eclipse. Materials will be on hand to make your own eclipse viewer, and then everyone will head out to the courtyard to witness the big event. The library will also livestream the total solar eclipse. The party starts at 1 p.m.

Posted by Wynnefield Branch (Free Library of Philadelphia) on Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Belmont Plateau

Grab a picnic blanket, your safe eclipse viewing equipment, and head up to Belmont Plateau. This big green space sits high above the rest of the city in West Fairmount Park.

Wagner Free Institute of Science

The Wagner Free Institute of Science will also host a viewing party: You can head out to the lawn and check out the partial eclipse or watch the NASA Eclipse Live Stream in the institute’s lecture hall. Special eclipse glasses will be provided.

Penn Treaty Park

Penn Treaty Park in Fishtown offers big, sweeping views back toward Center City and toward the Ben Franklin Bridge. Grab a blanket, your protective eyewear, and an Arctic Splash and enjoy the eclipse.

A post shared by @imogenetilden on

The Franklin Institute

The Franklin Institute will be one of the few institutions hosting a viewing party. Its head astronomer, Derrick Pitts, will be in Missouri where he’ll be live broadcasting the actual total solar eclipse. The event runs from 12 to 4 p.m.

Ben Franklin Bridge

For 360-degree views, make the trek up to the Ben Franklin Bridge, where the pedestrian walkway offers great views up and down the Delaware River. As long as the weather holds out, no doubt this vantage point will offer some pretty epic views of the rare event.

Photo by Melissa Romero

Cira Green

Cira Green is the only public rooftop park in the city. While it is sandwiched between two soaring towers, it offers big views of Center City, University City, and the Schuylkill River. Astronomer Derrick Pitts of the Franklin Institute assures that if you can see the sun from your location, you’re good to go.

One Liberty Observation Deck

See the solar eclipse from one of the highest points in Philly: The One Liberty Observation Deck on the 57th floor of One Liberty Place. It’s offering a free upgrade to its “sun and stars” ticket on Sunday, August 20 and Monday, August 21, which means you can visit the spot twice within 48 hours. Upgraded Sun and Stars tickets are $19 for ages 12 and up and $13 for children.

Update: The deck will have materials for a DIY eclipse projector or you can bring you own glasses.

Independence Seaport Museum

The Independence Seaport Museum on the Delaware River is encouraging folks to bring a blanket or chair to their second floor terrace for a solar eclipse viewing party from 12 to 4 p.m. While eclipse viewers will be available for $3, they’ll be free to museum members who RSVP. Member or non-member, you can snag a ticket to the event here.

Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

Charles Santore Library

Over by East Passyunk, the Charles Santore Library will be hosting a solar eclipse viewing party starting at 1:30 p.m. You’ll be able to make pinhole viewers, plus learn about the effects of the sun from folks at Bartram’s Garden.

A post shared by Shannon Garrison (@rarface) on

Navy Yard

Over at Navy Yard’s campus, folks will be gathering at the Marine Parades Grounds to watch the celestial event. The event will run from 1 to 3 p.m., and all the DIY materials will be on hand to create your own solar eclipse viewer.

A post shared by TheBoArts (@theboarts) on