It took a while — probably because we just had one seven years ago — but excitement is finally building for the Total Solar Eclipse, 2024 Version. 

You can view it from the comfort of your own home, of course, provided there are no trees or other obstructions to get in your way. But why not see it with other people and experience the whole sense of communal harmony that comes with watching the moon completely block out the sun.

If you missed it last time, trust us: It’s something to behold.

This year, the immediate St. Louis area is only going to see about 99% of a total eclipse, which isn’t the same thing. If you can’t go an hour or two east or south of the area to witness it in its glorious totality, several local institutions are holding eclipse-viewing parties.

In the local area, the moon will begin to cover the sun on Monday, April 8, around 12:42 p.m. It will reach maximum coverage around 2:01 p.m.

Some of the local viewing parties include:

Boone’s Trail Branch Library

Children, pre-K through fifth grade and families are welcome to watch the eclipse at this Wentzville library. After the excitement is over, the little ones can make a cute craft model of the eclipse. Glasses will be provided.

• Where: 2924 Brazeau Avenue, Brentwood
• How much: Free
• More info: brentwoodmo.org

Games, crafts and free glasses in a bucolic suburban park. Does it get any better than that? It might, if you want to enjoy it all with shaved ice from a truck, which will be on hand to satisfy the needs of everyone with a sweet tooth.

The largest pre-Columbian site north of Mexico won’t have the live music of some other venues, but the gift shop will be open with an extensive line-up of commemorative eclipse-branded souvenirs, including T-shirts, hats, bandanas, stickers (bumper and otherwise), refrigerator magnets, Christmas-tree ornaments and overpriced ($16!) eclipse glasses. Plus, you know, all the history.

• Where: 750 North 16th Street
• How much: $28 (general admission plus rooftop access)
• More info: citymuseum.org

This is your chance to view the eclipse with a 24-foot metal sculpture of a praying mantis, or perhaps from the seat of a school bus careening off the roof. Glasses will be provided. And when it’s over, or before it begins, you can still play at the City Museum.

How better to watch a near-total solar eclipse than with a glass of wine? It will even look like twilight. The kitchen and bar will be open all day, and free eclipse glasses will be distributed to the first 100 visitors.

• Where: 951 South Green Mountain Road, Belleville
• How much: Free
• More info: eckerts.com

The Skylark Brothers Band will provide the music for this eclipse-watching party, which will also have celestial-themed refreshments, card readings, a psychic and more. Some activities will have a fee. Glasses provided while supplies last.

As far as we know, this is the only eclipse-viewing party with a fire-blowing demonstration. Also on tap, so to speak, will be beer and whiskey, cigars, games and a native raptor, plus live music and shopping. Free glasses will be provided.

This is a chance to enjoy the eclipse in a pastoral setting; the lakeside will also be open for hikes, fishing, kayaking and more. Food and drink will be available, along with other items from various vendors; eclipse glasses will be available for purchase.

Party on the rooftop — you’ll be that much closer to the eclipse. And you’ll be even closer to what is represented as the largest globe of the moon in the world. The Delmar Loop’s Moonrise Hotel will feature live music, plus eclipse-themed cocktails and food available for purchase.

Watch the eclipse from the park-like grounds of Park-Like, the mini nature preserve just next to the Pulitzer Arts Foundation. Bring your own blankets or chairs, or you can use theirs. Before or after the eclipse itself you can take in the museum’s current exhibits or pay tribute to the late Richard Serra’s enduring sculpture, “Joe.” Free glasses will be provided.

• Where: 1301 Olive Street
• How much: Free
• More info: slpl.org

This one is for the kids only, from kindergarten through sixth grade. Free glasses will be provided.

• Where: Middle of the Mississippi River; boat boards at 50 South Leonor K. Sullivan Boulevard
• When: Boat boards at 1:30 p.m.
• How much: $24, $22 seniors 60 and older, $14 children 3-15
• More info: gatewayarch.com

The Tom Sawyer riverboat’s usual 1:30 p.m. cruise will be different this time, and its view of the eclipse, or certainly the circumstances, will be unique. It’s a one-hour tour, so the entire trip will be held under skies that will grow darker and then lighter. Free glasses will be provided.

• Where: 5050 Oakland Avenue (Science Center), Clayton Avenue at Faulkner Drive in Forest Park (Planetarium)
• How much: Free
• More info: slsc.org

The Science Center has a bus that is traveling to an undisclosed location in the eclipse’s path of totality, but that is sold out. Still, you can watch the NASA livestream of the eclipse in the comfort of the McDonnell Planetarium, especially if the event itself is obscured by clouds, or you can watch it outside in the GROW gallery or on the planetarium grounds. Free glasses while supplies last.

• Where: Brookings Hall, 1 Brookings Drive, University City
• How much: Free
• More info: wustl.edu

Washington University is the place to be if you want to see the eclipse through a solar telescope (the images will be projected onto a computer monitor). One of the telescopes will be able to show textures on the surface of the sun. Glasses will be provided.

With your $10 ticket comes a sample of vintage Port, at least two years old and aged in French oak barrels. It’s even named Eclipse, in honor of the 2017 event. Food and drink will be available, plus live music. Glasses will be provided.