8 Places To Watch The ‘Ring Of Fire’ In San Antonio, Texas

Of all the many locations where a “ring of fire” annular solar eclipse will be visible on Saturday, October 14 in the U.S. one of the the most popular places to be will surely be San Antonio in Texas.

Though bound to be run close by Albuquerque, New Mexico and its famous International Balloon Fiesta, the “Alamo City” in Texas is, at 1.45 million, easily the largest city in the central path of this eclipse. It already receives more than 34 million visitors per year, most of whom come to see its unique UNESCO ruins and its cute Riverwalk restaurants.

Best Value City

Recently revealed to be the best value place to visit for a fly-in, fly-out eclipse trip, San Antonio has nevertheless not been heavily featured in discussions around the best places to be on October 14.

Perhaps that’s because of the 61% chance of cloud on the day, according to Timeanddate.com, though the reality is that even if zero visitors make their way to San Antonio it will still be where most people in Texas who do see this “ring of fire” view it from.

Here’s a simulation of exactly what San Antonians will see over the course of the entire event, which will last for roughly three hours, with a “ring of fire” visible for 4 minutes 21 seconds at 11:52 a.m. CDT on October 14.

It’s the first annular solar eclipse in the U.S. since 2012 and the last until 2039.

MORE FROM FORBESRevealed: The Best Value U.S. City For A ‘Ring Of Fire’ Solar Eclipse TripBy Jamie Carter

Prime Location

“San Antonio is by far the largest city in the central path and it has a robust tourism infrastructure that is ready to welcome visitors for the “ring of fire” eclipse,” said Marc Anderson, President and CEO of Visit San Antonio, in an email. “With more than 50,000 hotel rooms across the city, ample roads and highways to help move people around, wide variety of dining and entertaining options, and many watch parties and events organized around the eclipse, San Antonio looks forward to being a prime viewing location.”

Note: all observers will need to use solar eclipse glasses to see anything of this event. It is never safe to look directly at the sun without special eye protection designed for solar viewing.

Here are more details about some of those watch parties organized for the “ring of fire” annular solar eclipse in San Antonio:

1. La Fiesta del Sol: Celebration of the Sun Annular Eclipse Event

9:30-2:30 p.m. CDT on Saturday, October 14 (free/parking $5)

A festival-style occasion at the Scobee Education Center with canopies, food trucks and vendors will line the circular drive and a stage will host presentations and narration at the height of the eclipse. A limited number of solar eclipse glasses will be distributed to guests at no charge. Expect planetarium and hands-on activities inside the center as well as guest lecturers, solar filtered telescopes for public viewing and food trucks. Don’t miss its fabulous displays of space memorabilia inside, notably the eight-by-twelve foot mural of “First Men on the Moon” by Robert McCall. More information and VIP tickets.

2. Eclipse Party At SeaWorld

10:30-1:00 p.m. CDT on Saturday, October 14

SeaWorld San Antonio will host an eclipse party, with eclipse-themed snacks and drinks, a DJ and a countdown to the “ring of fire” as well as the opportunity to take a coaster ride during the eclipse. More information.

3. Eclipse Watch Party At The Good Kind Southtown

10:00-1:00 p.m. CDT on Saturday, October 14

The Good Kind Southtown brunch restaurant 15 minutes walk from the city center will open an hour early to stage an Eclipse Watch Party on its lawns and outdoor areas. Solar eclipse glasses will be available for purchase. Expect free yoga at 10:00 a.m. on the lawn, brunch from 11:00 a.m. and a special cocktail—The Eclipse, a blend of bonded whiskey, cranberry juice, lime juice, and raspberry liqueur. More information.

4. Eclipse Extravaganza at the San Antonio Zoo

10:00 a.m. CDT on Saturday, October 14

The city’s zoo will provide guests with solar eclipse viewing glasses and educational activities planned throughout the day, including programs on how the moon’s cycles impact animal behavior. More information.

5. Hyatt Regency San Antonio Riverwalk

11:00-1:00 p.m. CDT on Saturday, October 14 ($45)

The rooftop pool deck of one of the city’s biggest hotels will be open for a a solar eclipse viewing event complete with solar-themed snacks, solar drinks and a free pair of specially designed solar eclipse glasses. More information.

6. San Jose Mission Education Center Eclipse Viewing Party

10:00-2:00 p.m. CDT on Saturday, October 14 (free)

One of the San Antonio Missions, five Spanish frontier missions in the city and a UNESCO World Heritage Site—San Jose Mission—will host a bilingual observing event. More information.

7. ‘Moon At Noon’ at The DoSeum

11:00-12:00 p.m. CDT on Saturday, October 14 (free)

San Antonio’s children’s museum The DoSeum will host an eclipse-viewing part for the first 500 guests, all of whom will also receive solar eclipse glasses. More information.

8. Eisenhower Park

10:00-1:00 p.m. CDT on Saturday, October 14 (free)

In the city’s northern suburbs is Eisenhower Park, where visitors will be able to view the eclipse and sunspots on the surface of our star during the eclipse through a telescope with a solar filter. More information.

I’m an expert on eclipses—the editor of WhenIsTheNextEclipse.com and author of The Complete Guide To The Great North American Eclipse of April 8, 2024. For the very latest on the “ring of fire” solar eclipse check my main feed for new articles.

Wishing you clear skies and wide eyes.

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