In 2017, a total solar eclipse covered parts of the United States and launched interest in astrotourism to unprecedented levels, but that was nothing compared to what’s coming. The next one will cover a much more populated swath of the country, and it’s fast approaching. On April 8, the next total solar eclipse will cover more than 31 million Americans in 13 states from Texas to Maine with its path of totality, and that’s not all. While the last eclipse dazzled those lucky enough to catch it, it occurred while the sun was near the lowest end of its 11-year activity cycle, but this one will occur near the peak. That means you can reasonably expect a larger corona with more spikey rays during the minutes it’s safe to look at the blacked-out sun, offering an even more dramatic experience. This total eclipse can be viewed from a handful of major cities, like Dallas and Austin, but perhaps the best city from which to catch this historic event is Indianapolis.

© Visit Indy

Several state capitals lie in the path of totality, but all are on the extreme edge of the path except for Indianapolis, which finds itself in the center, offering maximum viewing time. Indy has been pouring big city resources into in preparations for more than a year, gearing up for city-wide celebrations and drawing scores of visitors to this premiere viewpoint. While the eclipse may be viewable from Mexico to Canada, Indianapolis will receive more blackout time than most major cities, offering nearly four minutes of spectacle (Austin, by contrast, can expect about half that). The next total eclipse to reach the contiguous states won’t come this way for another 20 years, in August 2044, and only three sparsely populated states — Montana, North Dakota and South Dakota — will fall within the path of totality then. For most Americans, this is the chance to easily access a total eclipse without leaving the country. And Indianapolis is the place to do it.

© Newfields

The 152-acre campus of Newfields, anchored prominently by Indianapolis Museum of Art, will play host to a festival of celebratory programming surrounding the eclipse, with full view of the skies unobstructed by neighboring venues. Designed to blend appreciation of both nature and art, the Total Eclipse of the Art event will take advantage of the property’s world-class collections, historic buildings and exquisite gardens to offer multiple DJ stages, fire and light shows, fire performers, forest bathing, yoga, sun salutations, and more. Tickets for catching the eclipse in this day-long festival span three access levels, from general admission to a V.I.P. Totality Ticket that includes entrance to a private viewing area on the terrace of the historic Lily House mansion, private bar, and tickets to an outdoor concert at The Amphitheater. All ticket levels grant access to Indianapolis Museum of Art, including the recently launched Dalí Alive immersive exhibit at THE LUME.

© Visit Indy

For those with younger spectators in town for the occasion, both Indiana State Fairgrounds and Children’s Museum of Indianapolis will host family-focused activities throughout the day. Elsewhere in the city, Indiana State Museum will offer educational eclipse programming, while serious science buffs can find NASA holding court at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, answering questions and broadcasting the eclipse live. It’s not only major venues getting in on the action, though. Just about every park, hotel, bar and activity space of any kind will hold some sort of eclipse programming throughout the day or weekend, so you’ll find no shortage of eclipse events wherever you turn. The path of totality won’t cover Indianapolis again for 129 years, returning in 2153, so expect the city to go all out for this once-in-a-lifetime occasion.