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Rare Partial Solar Eclipse Is Viewed Around The UK
Partial solar eclipse in Northhampton, England, 2015
Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images

Solar eclipse 2017: Where to watch in the Austin area

Viewing events and parties in and around Austin

By Cindy Widner Updated
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Partial solar eclipse in Northhampton, England, 2015
| Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images
By Cindy Widner Updated

Note: This map was originally published Aug. 17 and has been updated since then.

Austinites who are serious about seeing the August 21 solar eclipse have probably already made plans to hightail it to St. Louis, Nashville, or another place in the path of totality, where (barring cloud cover) the sight of the moon covering the sun will be entirely, if briefly, visible.

If you’re not one of them, you still have a good chance of catching a partial eclipse (around 65%, depending on where you are exactly—you can use this handy tool created by Vox to find out when, the exact percentage, and the closest place to see the total eclipse by entering your ZIP code).

While there should be plenty of places to watch the partial eclipse—wherever you can see the sun from 11:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. CDT (it peaks at 1:10 p.m.)—this map focuses on places holding eclipse-specific programming.

Regardless of whether you watch on your own or with a group, make sure you’re watching the eclipse safely, either with ISO-certified eclipse glasses or another safe viewing method. At no point during a partial eclipse is it safe to look directly at the sun without the glasses or other proper viewing tools.

Have an event we missed? Let us know in the comments below.

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Taylor Public Library

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Oh, dang. It might be worth the trip 35 miles north to the Taylor for the view—and the free moon pies. The party takes place 12:30-1:30 p.m. There will be free viewing glasses while they last.

801 Vance St, Taylor, TX 76574
(512) 352-3434
(512) 352-3434
Photo of building front and sign
Taylor Public Library
Taylor Public Library

Sharon Prete Main Street Plaza

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The Round Rock Public Library, in partnership with the Space Science Institute and the Williamson County Astronomy Club, will host a free party for all ages from noon to 2:00 p.m. Glasses will be provided. There will planned science and art activities, fountain-splashing, and Flavorlicious Shave Ice available.

221 E Main St, Round Rock, TX 78664
(512) 218-5400
(512) 218-5400

A post shared by Mario Nunez (@marionunez) on

Wells Branch Community Library

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The North Austin viewing party will have free solar glasses, refreshments, and information about the eclipse.

15001 Wells Port Dr, Austin, TX 78728

Pflugerville Library

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The library will host a party for all ages from 11:30 a.m. to 3:45 p.m.. Craft activities are scheduled, free eclipse viewing glasses are available, and there will be a post-eclipse screening of Wall-E at 2 p.m.

1008 Pfluger St W, Pflugerville, TX 78660
(512) 990-6375
(512) 990-6375

Balcones District Park

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This sounds like a pretty minimalist gathering, as there’s no mention of refreshments, and glasses will not be provided. But it is a nice park in Central Austin.

12017 Amherst Dr, Austin, TX 78759
(512) 974-6700
(512) 974-6700

A post shared by Erin Thompson (@erinathompson) on

Howson Branch, Austin Public Library

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This Northwest Austin party will be a little unique in that attendees can learn how to make a pinhole projector for looking at the eclipse safely if you don’t have proper eclipse glasses. The viewing party will be from noon to 2 p.m.

2500 Exposition Blvd, Austin, TX 78703
(512) 974-8800
(512) 974-8800

A post shared by Melanie (@melaniesue831) on

Thinkery

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The always awesome Thinkery is adding hands-on activities to its Solar Eclipse Viewing Party. The first 200 general admission visitors will receive a pair of viewing glasses, while supplies last. General Admission is $10 for ages 1 and up. Pre-sale tickets are not available and must be purchased onsite.

1830 Simond Ave, Austin, TX 78723
(512) 469-6200
(512) 469-6200

A post shared by Thinkery (@thinkeryatx) on

Robert Lee Moore Hall

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The UT Astronomy Department building is likely to be on of the best spots for catching the eclipse with expert guidance. There will be a Heliostat will be in RLM 13.132. As there is limited space in the room, eclipse glasses will be handed out as people leave the room they can continue to view the progress of the eclipse outside. Quantities of eclipse glasses are limited. Additional viewing with solar filters on small telescopes will be available on the footbridge over Dean Keeton between RLM and the Engineering Teaching Center to its east.

Robert Lee Moore Hall, 2515 Speedway, Austin, TX 78712

Austin Nature & Science Center

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The center will have an Eclipse Viewing and Digital Planetarium Eclipse Show, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., with a video of how an eclipse works in the center’s new digital planetarium and a viewing of the live eclipse. Limited number of eclipse glasses will be available.

2389 Stratford Dr, Austin, TX 78746
(512) 974-3888
(512) 974-3888

the nature center is pretty nice but is seriously lacking in the badger/lemur department

A post shared by @nikparkerr on

Azul Rooftop Pool Bar + Lounge

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Azul will have a viewing party from its outdoor rooftop perch high atop the Downtown Westin. Having lunch in the downstairs Stella San Jac restaurant on Monday gets you access to Azul during the eclipse. Looks like you need to BYO glasses/pinhole projectors, and you definitely need to make reservations.

310 E 5th St, Austin, TX 78701
(512) 792-5622
(512) 792-5622
Photo of Austin downtown view
View from Azul
Azul/Facebook

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Barton Springs Municipal Pool

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Austin.WTF (“WTF” is an abbreviation for “We Are the Future” in this case, not the other things it can mean), a “local and travel website,” is informally hosting a viewing party at the Springs. Regular pool admission charges will be in effect, and you’ll need to bring your own eclipse glasses. While we’re pretty sure the Springs will be packed, it’s still bound to be a pretty boss place to see the big event.

2131 William Barton Dr, Austin, TX 78746, United States
(512) 867-3080
(512) 867-3080
Barton Springs Pool
Barton Springs Pool

Bastrop State Park

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The viewing party is a at the Historic Golf Shelter, 100 Park Road 1A, Bastrop State Park, 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Attendees will also have the chance to learn about what eclipses are, how they happen, and how animal behaviors change as the sky gets darker in the middle of the day. Cost is $5 per person 12 years old and up. Glasses will be provided.

100 Park Road 1A, Bastrop, TX 78602
(512) 321-2101
(512) 321-2101
Park rangers in uniform looking at sun through eclipse glasses
Bastrop State Park employees take glasses for a test run
Bastrop State Park/Facebook

Buda Public Library

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Buda’s Eclipse Party will take place from noon to 2:00 p.m. on the library lawn, where there will also be activities, art and stories. The library will provide solar glasses for safe viewing.

303 Main St, Buda, TX 78610
(512) 295-5899
(512) 295-5899
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Taylor Public Library

801 Vance St, Taylor, TX 76574

Oh, dang. It might be worth the trip 35 miles north to the Taylor for the view—and the free moon pies. The party takes place 12:30-1:30 p.m. There will be free viewing glasses while they last.

801 Vance St, Taylor, TX 76574
(512) 352-3434
(512) 352-3434
Photo of building front and sign
Taylor Public Library
Taylor Public Library

Sharon Prete Main Street Plaza

221 E Main St, Round Rock, TX 78664

The Round Rock Public Library, in partnership with the Space Science Institute and the Williamson County Astronomy Club, will host a free party for all ages from noon to 2:00 p.m. Glasses will be provided. There will planned science and art activities, fountain-splashing, and Flavorlicious Shave Ice available.

221 E Main St, Round Rock, TX 78664
(512) 218-5400
(512) 218-5400

A post shared by Mario Nunez (@marionunez) on

Wells Branch Community Library

15001 Wells Port Dr, Austin, TX 78728

The North Austin viewing party will have free solar glasses, refreshments, and information about the eclipse.

15001 Wells Port Dr, Austin, TX 78728

Pflugerville Library

1008 Pfluger St W, Pflugerville, TX 78660

The library will host a party for all ages from 11:30 a.m. to 3:45 p.m.. Craft activities are scheduled, free eclipse viewing glasses are available, and there will be a post-eclipse screening of Wall-E at 2 p.m.

1008 Pfluger St W, Pflugerville, TX 78660
(512) 990-6375
(512) 990-6375

Balcones District Park

12017 Amherst Dr, Austin, TX 78759

This sounds like a pretty minimalist gathering, as there’s no mention of refreshments, and glasses will not be provided. But it is a nice park in Central Austin.

12017 Amherst Dr, Austin, TX 78759
(512) 974-6700
(512) 974-6700

A post shared by Erin Thompson (@erinathompson) on

Howson Branch, Austin Public Library

2500 Exposition Blvd, Austin, TX 78703

This Northwest Austin party will be a little unique in that attendees can learn how to make a pinhole projector for looking at the eclipse safely if you don’t have proper eclipse glasses. The viewing party will be from noon to 2 p.m.

2500 Exposition Blvd, Austin, TX 78703
(512) 974-8800
(512) 974-8800

A post shared by Melanie (@melaniesue831) on

Thinkery

1830 Simond Ave, Austin, TX 78723

The always awesome Thinkery is adding hands-on activities to its Solar Eclipse Viewing Party. The first 200 general admission visitors will receive a pair of viewing glasses, while supplies last. General Admission is $10 for ages 1 and up. Pre-sale tickets are not available and must be purchased onsite.

1830 Simond Ave, Austin, TX 78723
(512) 469-6200
(512) 469-6200

A post shared by Thinkery (@thinkeryatx) on

Robert Lee Moore Hall

Robert Lee Moore Hall, 2515 Speedway, Austin, TX 78712

The UT Astronomy Department building is likely to be on of the best spots for catching the eclipse with expert guidance. There will be a Heliostat will be in RLM 13.132. As there is limited space in the room, eclipse glasses will be handed out as people leave the room they can continue to view the progress of the eclipse outside. Quantities of eclipse glasses are limited. Additional viewing with solar filters on small telescopes will be available on the footbridge over Dean Keeton between RLM and the Engineering Teaching Center to its east.

Robert Lee Moore Hall, 2515 Speedway, Austin, TX 78712

Austin Nature & Science Center

2389 Stratford Dr, Austin, TX 78746

The center will have an Eclipse Viewing and Digital Planetarium Eclipse Show, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., with a video of how an eclipse works in the center’s new digital planetarium and a viewing of the live eclipse. Limited number of eclipse glasses will be available.

2389 Stratford Dr, Austin, TX 78746
(512) 974-3888
(512) 974-3888

the nature center is pretty nice but is seriously lacking in the badger/lemur department

A post shared by @nikparkerr on

Azul Rooftop Pool Bar + Lounge

310 E 5th St, Austin, TX 78701

Azul will have a viewing party from its outdoor rooftop perch high atop the Downtown Westin. Having lunch in the downstairs Stella San Jac restaurant on Monday gets you access to Azul during the eclipse. Looks like you need to BYO glasses/pinhole projectors, and you definitely need to make reservations.

310 E 5th St, Austin, TX 78701
(512) 792-5622
(512) 792-5622
Photo of Austin downtown view
View from Azul
Azul/Facebook

Barton Springs Municipal Pool

2131 William Barton Dr, Austin, TX 78746, United States

Austin.WTF (“WTF” is an abbreviation for “We Are the Future” in this case, not the other things it can mean), a “local and travel website,” is informally hosting a viewing party at the Springs. Regular pool admission charges will be in effect, and you’ll need to bring your own eclipse glasses. While we’re pretty sure the Springs will be packed, it’s still bound to be a pretty boss place to see the big event.

2131 William Barton Dr, Austin, TX 78746, United States
(512) 867-3080
(512) 867-3080
Barton Springs Pool
Barton Springs Pool

Bastrop State Park

100 Park Road 1A, Bastrop, TX 78602

The viewing party is a at the Historic Golf Shelter, 100 Park Road 1A, Bastrop State Park, 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Attendees will also have the chance to learn about what eclipses are, how they happen, and how animal behaviors change as the sky gets darker in the middle of the day. Cost is $5 per person 12 years old and up. Glasses will be provided.

100 Park Road 1A, Bastrop, TX 78602
(512) 321-2101
(512) 321-2101
Park rangers in uniform looking at sun through eclipse glasses
Bastrop State Park employees take glasses for a test run
Bastrop State Park/Facebook

Buda Public Library

303 Main St, Buda, TX 78610

Buda’s Eclipse Party will take place from noon to 2:00 p.m. on the library lawn, where there will also be activities, art and stories. The library will provide solar glasses for safe viewing.

303 Main St, Buda, TX 78610
(512) 295-5899
(512) 295-5899