Eclipse Watch (All)
Monday, April 8, 2024
8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Full Eclipse: 3:18 p.m.
$20 per car for parking (cash encouraged)
Free Nature Center Admission
A full solar eclipse is a once in a lifetime event, and Chautauqua County is right in the line of totality! Celebrate this unique natural event at Audubon Community Nature Center, where there are large open fields, trails and other observation points available to watch the eclipse. There will be horse-drawn wagon rides (click here to reserve your ride), live music, and food trucks in addition to the six miles of hiking trails, animals to visit, as well as a Nature Center full of exhibits to explore. It’s the perfect place to spend the day!
Horse drawn carriage rides are available every 15 minutes from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.. Pre-registration for carriage rides is due Sunday, April 7. They will be available on a first come, first served basis on Monday, April 8. Miranda Wilcox will perform live music outside in the Frucella Pavilion from 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. and food trucks will be available from 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., including Tabouli Food Truck with authentic Levantine and Mediterranean cuisine and the Bucket Brigade Pizza Company with wood-fired pizza. Audubon staff and volunteers will be selling fresh popcorn and other snacks in the backyard.
A limited number of eclipse glasses and commemorative magnets and stickers will be available for sale.
Benches are available, but participants are encouraged to bring their own camp chairs or picnic blankets to use in the viewing area. Accessible viewing options are available in the Nature Center’s front and back yards. People without physical limitations can walk to viewing sites.
The Nature Center is conveniently located just one-quarter mile from Route 62, providing easy access to one of the larger roads in the county to travel North or South. Parking opens at 8:00 a.m. and is limited to the first 200 vehicles. Please bring cash to facilitate parking quickly and easily. The Blue Heron Gift Shop will also have a limited number of eclipse glasses for sale.
Audubon Community Nature Center has parking and restrooms available. Additional porta-potties will be available on site to accommodate people near eclipse watch sites.
