The Best Places Near St. Louis to See the Eclipse — And What to Do While You're There

Festus, Missouri
Estimated drive time: 45 minutes. Directions here.

Just a short drive south of St. Louis, Festus is anticipating 2 minutes and 37 seconds of totality. West City Park is the chosen spot for viewing and will be host to a variety of activities the whole weekend, including live music, eclipse-themed games, crafts and more. You can get all the details here. Photo courtesy of Wade Smith Photography.

Carbondale, Illinois
Estimated drive time: 1 hour, 56 minutes. Directions here.

This college town is supposed to be the epitome for solar eclipse viewing. Totality is expected at 1:21 p.m. and will last for two minutes and 38 seconds. Tickets for Eclipse Day at Saluki Stadium have sold out, but you can see the eclipse from all over the city. Many restaurants are also creating eclipse specials to get in on the fun. Get more info at carbondaleeclipse.com. Photo courtesy of Instagram / slothmonkeyy.

Murphysboro, Illinois
Estimated drive time: 1 hour, 46 minutes. Directions here.

Not to be outdone by its neighbor, nearby Murphysboro is also a great spot for viewing the iconic eclipse, with totality beginning at 1:19 p.m. and expected to last two minutes and 38 seconds. And here you can celebrate the occasion with two of your hometown favorites: beer and barbecue. The Murphysboro Brews & BBQ Eclipse Bus will shuttle visitors between Brews Brothers Taproom, Big Muddy Brewing, Pat's BBQ and Catering, 17th Street Barbecue and Jack's Meat Market & Deli the weekend prior to the eclipse so you can get your eclipse pre-gaming in. Did we mention the shuttle is free? Photo courtesy of Instagram / toddholloman.

Ste. Genevieve, Missouri
Estimated drive time: 1 hour, 4 minutes. Directions here.

This historic town is a fun place to visit all on its own, but the fact that it is also a prime viewing spot for the Great American Eclipse is definitely a bonus. The town is predicted to enjoy 2 minutes and 41 seconds of totality, so of course that calls for a viewing celebration -- complete with food, entertainment, art and science exhibits and more. There will also be a music festival held the day before. Get more information here. Photo courtesy of Instagram / billboughtadrone.

Giant City State Park
Estimated drive time: 2 hours, 15 minutes. Directions here.

You can't get a more gorgeous setting for eclipse viewing than Giant City State Park, which is expected to experience totality at 1:20 p.m. for a full 2 minutes and 40 seconds. The park will have five viewing locations, which will open at 8 a.m. on Monday and fill on a first-come, first-served basis. Plus: the spots will be free. View a map of the park and its viewing locations here. Photo courtesy of Instagram / moment.design

Perryville, Missouri
Estimated drive time: 1 hour, 20 minutes. Directions here.

This town south of St. Louis is celebrating its status as an eclipse viewing spot in full force, with plenty of fun leading up to the big day. The Perryville Solarfest will take place on the Friday and Saturday leading up to the solar eclipse, with a parade, concerts, carnival and vendors. The next day, deemed "Super Solar Sunday," will include a SolarGlow 5K run and walk. For more details, click here. Photo courtesy of Instagram / longrunfit.

Columbia, Missouri
Estimated drive time: 2 hours, 4 minutes. Directions here.

Another college town that is prime eclipse viewing territory is Columbia. The home of University of Missouri is pegged to experience two minutes and 36 seconds of totality starting at 1:12 p.m. Cosmo Park will be the center of the celebration, with music, food and other festivities. If you're one of those people who associates fun with getting fit, there's also a run and a bike ride the day before in honor of the eclipse. Get all the details here. Photo courtesy of Flickr / Chris Yunker.

Jefferson City
Estimated drive time: 2 hours, 13 minutes. Directions here.

Our state capital also happens to be ideal for solar eclipse viewing, with two minutes and 29 seconds of totality. Naturally, this calls for a party, and Jefferson City has a long list of events on the roster. Some may not be what you expect. Sure, there's a carnival and 5K, but there's also Missouri State Penitentiary Tours (um, OK?), a Breakfast with an Astronaut event and an Eclipse Crop Circle Corn Maze. Can't get much more Missouri than that. See the full schedule here. Photo courtesy of Flickr / J. Stephen Conn.

St. Joseph, Missouri
Estimated drive time: 4 hours, 57 minutes. Directions here.

St. Joseph is a hike -- but if you're looking to turn your eclipse experience into a tried-and-true road trip, St. Joseph will also enjoy one of the nation's longest durations of totality (2 minutes and 39 seconds, starting at 1:06 p.m.). The city has a full list of viewing locations available, from a winery to the airport. Plus, St. Joseph is only about an hour away from the hustle and bustle of Kansas City. Why not make a weekend out of it? Photo courtesy of Instagram / pixels_photography_llc.

Carterville
Estimated drive time: 2 hours, 2 minutes. Directions here.

So, you think you're excited about the solar eclipse? Carterville can one-up you: the town is planning a music festival around this thing. The festival, known as Moonstruck Music Festival, will feature none other than Ozzy Osbourne, who will set the soundtrack for the eclipse with his song "Bark at the Moon." It all goes down at Walker's Bluff winery. Get details here. Photo courtesy of Flickr / Dena Flows.

Hermann, Missouri
Estimated drive time: 1 hour, 34 minutes. Directions here.

The solar eclipse is being embraced full force in Hermann, where you can enjoy your eclipse experience from one of wine country's vineyards. The historic German town has a weekend packed with activities, including a showing of the movie Spaceballs, hayrides to various viewing sites and live music. Get details here. Photo by Elizabeth Semko.

Saint Clair
Estimated drive time: 1 hour, 13 minutes. Directions here.

The eclipse is serious business in Saint Clair, where there will be 10 designated viewing stations and "Solar Ambassadors," locals who have been trained about the eclipse and viewing safety. This is a Route 66 town, and you can tell -- eclipse festivities include a car show, a bluegrass festival, a parade and fireworks. The totality is expected to last two minutes and 41 seconds in Saint Clair. Get all the details here. Photo courtesy of Flickr / Selbe Lynn.

De Soto, Missouri
Estimated drive time: 57 minutes. Directions here.

Also not far from St. Louis is De Soto, where the totality is expected to last 2 minutes and 40 seconds. The De Soto Public Library has a full list of viewing areas, as well as perks you can expect at some of them, from karaoke to wine to barbecue to camping. Check out the list for yourself here. Photo courtesy of Instagram / eleanorpixie.

Boonville, Missouri
Estimated drive time: 2 hours and 40 minutes. Directions here.

There are a variety of designated eclipse viewing areas as well as festivities planned for Boonville, including a "Solar Fest" at one of the town's schools, a "Black Out Party" at one of the town pubs, and an Eclipse weekend at one of the local bar and grills, complete with t-shirts, eclipse glasses and extra seating. Check out all the fun right here. Photo courtesy of Flickr / Paul Sableman.

Marshall, Missouri
Estimated drive time: 3 hours, 11 minutes. Directions here.

You can get "Moonstruck in Marshall, MO" with a full weekend of eclipse-themed fun and 2 minutes and 39 seconds of totality. A "Cosmic Concert," "Sun-tastic Brunch," "Nite and Day 5K" and "Telescopic Star Viewing" are just some of the many festivities scheduled. Plan ahead -- designated viewing spots will close at 12:30 p.m. before the eclipse. Get more information here. Photo courtesy of Flickr / David Wilson.