NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. — With only 19 days until the Great American Eclipse, the City of Niagara Falls is warning neighbors, tourists, and everyone else that April 8 will be busy, because where else can you see two natural wonders in one day?
The city was ranked as one of the best places to adventure for the eclipse by National Geographic. The promise of a 2-for-1 experience has had city and state officials planning for a while, though.
"We are gearing up for an extremely busy and action-packed weekend," Destination Niagara USA COO Andrea Czopp said.
While Niagara Falls is used to visitors, Czopp said the eclipse is different because of how many people are estimated to be coming all at once. Hotels, Airbnb, and other accommodations in the city, she said, are almost if not entirely booked.
On Wednesday, tourism leaders, law enforcement, and city and New York state officials laid out what folks should expect.
They ensure that public safety and traffic plans have been developed, and redeveloped, considering every factor under the sun.
"If the parkway is all backed up and we need to divert traffic along, say, 190 North, we're going to do that, and we're going to be working with all the resources," said Athena Hutchins, Executive Director for NITTEC, the region's traffic management organization.
New York State Police are planning for an additional 500,000 people in Western New York for the eclipse, according to public information officer Trooper James O'Callaghan. He added additional troopers from around the state will be coming to the region to help.
City of Niagara Falls parking lots will be open during their usual hours for those driving to the city or taking a bus.
Police Superintendent Nicholas Ligammari encouraged everyone to plan on arriving early because it will be crowded. Picnics and tailgating will be allowed to an extent.
"It will be like, hopefully like a sports Bills' game atmosphere, and as long as people don't get too out of hand there shouldn't be an issue," Ligammari said.
Visitors are encouraged to take in the local food scene and participate in various Eclipse events happening at the Niagara Culinary Institute and the Aerospace Museum.
Niagara Falls State Park will open its lots early, at 6 a.m. on April 8, to allow anyone with plans to view the eclipse in the park to get settled for the day. Additional parking in what is typically a bus-only lot has also been arranged.
The lots on Goat Island and elsewhere in the park are expected to fill up long before the eclipse happens at 3:18 p.m.
"We want everyone to have a good time but patience is really going to be the order of the day. Patience in the parking lot. Patience in the street," said Niagara Falls Mayor Robert Restaino.
For viewing purposes, the sun will be located off the right edge of Horseshoe Falls, which should make Terrapin Point the best seat in the house, according to regional state parks' manager Mark Mistretta.
"Plan on enjoying yourself, come early, enjoy the day, enjoy the event, and don't rush out, it's going to be a bit of a mad house at the exit so plan to stay a little later," Mistretta said.
And while weather is the one thing officials can't entirely plan for, rain or shine Niagara Falls is always there as a backup.
"Even if it's not the most ideal day for eclipse viewing ... there is still going to be plenty to do."