It’s a sellout—you should have booked months ago. That appears to be the received wisdom about April 8’s total solar eclipse, and yet there are many hotels and lodgings within the 115-mile path through parts of 15 U.S. states that still have availability.
According to Expedia, Texas is the place to go this spring, with searches for flights, hotels and car rentals skyrocketing in San Antonio (on the edge of the path), Austin and Dallas. However, though popular, Texas cities still have the most hotel rooms available to book on Expedia compared to other populous cities in the path of totality. For example, according to Vrbo, about 30% of vacation homes in major Texas cities in the path are still currently available for the eclipse.
A lot of that may come down to a major misunderstanding about where you need to be to see the total solar eclipse. Although only a modicum of research will reveal that you have to be within the boundaries of the path of totality, it’s an urban myth that you have to be on the centreline of that path. Yes, the central line is where totality will last for the longest—as long as four minutes, 26 seconds in Texas—it’s still possible to enjoy a totality for almost 4 minutes halfway between the center and the edge of the path of totality. It’s often here that you will find bargains.
Here are some options, group by location, in Texas that can still be booked at the time of writing, mostly—but not exclusively—sourced from Travel Texas:
North Texas: Texarkana
Between Dallas and Little Rock—two popular eclipse viewing destinations—this border town is in the path of totality and a short drive away from Hot Springs National Park.
North Texas: Dallas
Expect 3 minutes 49 seconds of totality, or thereabouts. Featured viewing events around the city can be found here.
North Texas: Corsicana
About 4 minutes 10 seconds of totality, Corsicana’s Total Eclipse Fest will include food trucks, face painters, live music, special eclipse merch and complimentary eclipse glasses.
(Latest availability according to Travel Texas)
Central Texas: Boerne
The Texas Hill Country town of Boerne will get you 3 minutes and 34 seconds of totality. Its Cave Without a Name event will include cave tours, campgrounds and an underground concert.
(Latest availability according to Travel Texas)
Central Texas: Marble Falls
A walkable downtown district full of restaurants, independent shops, and curated art galleries, this town in Burnet County will see 4 minutes 15 seconds of totality:
(Latest availability according to Travel Texas)
Central Texas: Lampasas
Home to mineral springs, wineries and B&Bs, Lampasas will host 4 minutes 24 seconds of totality.
(Latest availability according to Travel Texas)
Central Texas: San Antonio
Be careful when looking at San Antonio, which is right on the southern edge of the path of totality. In fact, the center of the city will not see a total solar eclipse. However, as long as you stay in the north-western suburbs of the city, you should get a total of around two minutes. The city can also be used as a base to go for the west towards the centerline and four minutes of totality. Both these properties have a totality of over two minutes:
For the latest on all aspects of April 8’s total solar eclipse in North America, check my main feed for new articles each day.
Wishing you clear skies and wide eyes.
