Why you probably shouldn’t go to this Michigan city to watch April 8 solar eclipse

Mayor urges people to go into Ohio instead

LUNA PIER, Mich. – If you’re planning on traveling to the one Michigan city in the path of totality for the April 8 solar eclipse, you might want to make other plans.

Luna Pier, aptly named, is the only city in the state in the path to see a 100% solar eclipse on April 8. It’s right at the Michigan-Ohio border, down in Monroe County.

Luna Pier has a population of about 1,400, according to the most recent Census. It only spans 1.5 square miles along Lake Erie.

It’s not built to handle thousands of visitors. And the city isn’t ready for the attention.

Luna Pier mayor Jim Gardner told Local 4′s Victor Williams that the main bridge into the city, over I-75, the main point of entry and exit for the city, was demolished last year, and it won’t be open again until later this summer.

“That’s going to make getting in and out of town very challenging,” Gardner said. “We’re asking people to consider going down into Toledo.”

Traveling further into Toledo to watch the eclipse will buy you a longer eclipse, by about a minute.

---> Related: Interactive map shows best time to watch 2024 total solar eclipse

Gardner told visitors to be very patient, if you do decide to visit Luna Pier for the eclipse.

Watch Victor Williams’ full report in the video player above.


About the Author

Ken Haddad has proudly been with WDIV/ClickOnDetroit since 2013. He also authors the Morning Report Newsletter and various other newsletters, and helps lead the WDIV Insider team. He's a big sports fan and is constantly sipping Lions Kool-Aid.

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