viewing parties galore

15 best eclipse watch parties and events across Central Texas on April 8

The Moon's Daughters, rooftop bar, Thompson Riverwalk San Antonio hotel

We've got the ultimate list of eclipse viewing parties.

Photo courtesy of The Moon's Daughters

Let's say you've already made your travel plans for the April 8 total solar eclipse. Now that you know your destination, where will you go to actually watch the solar phenomenon take place?

Central Texas and the Hill Country are expected to be the hottest destinations for eclipse-watchers, including cities such as Uvalde, Kerrville, Fredericksburg, San Antonio, and Waco. Lucky for CultureMap readers, we've compiled the ultimate list of eclipse viewing parties and events with tickets still available as of publication time.

Make sure to have those eclipse glasses on hand before the big day, although many viewing parties will likely pass around their own. The American Astronomical Society provides a comprehensive list of safe vendors and manufacturers of eclipse glasses, smartphone solar filters, telescopes, binoculars, and camera lenses.

Eclipse events in the Hill Country

Kuhlman Cellars
18421 East US 290, Stonewall
This Hill Country winery is hosting an Eclipse Party from 10 am to 4 pm, featuring a continental breakfast, Italian lunch, fun activities, and a live jazz performance from 12-3 pm. Guests will receive eclipse glasses, a commemorative sticker, and two complimentary glasses of wine in a custom Tossware keepsake glass. Attendees can take advantage of the wide open spaces at the estate to experience the eclipse, embark on vineyard tours, take blind tasting classes, and sample new wines. Tickets for the Eclipse Party are $200 for winery members, $225 for non-members, and $50 for children and young adults between 2-18 years old. Parking passes are $25 per car, and camping is not allowed on the estate. Book online via visit.kuhlmancellars.com.

UtopiaFest
1555 Lemond Rd, Utopia
The final installment of the long-running UtopiaFest will take place from April 5-9 at the Four Sisters Ranch in Utopia, Texas. Scheduled performances on April 8 include Ghostland Observatory, The Texas Gentlemen, Sir Woman, South Congress Cowboy, and more. Passes for people, dogs, glampsites, RVs, and more are available via utopiafest.com.

Bay View Restaurant & Bar
4401 Cottonwood Dr, Cottonwood Shores
This waterfront restaurant nestled near Marble Falls is offering a special Total Eclipse package featuring Bay View-branded eclipse glasses, a signature beverage or cocktail, and a special lunch menu selection. Tickets are $35 per person, and children and young adults under 21 will be admitted free of charge. There are limited reservations available, which can be booked via OpenTable.

Camp Lucy
3509 Creek Rd, Dripping Springs
If you're looking for the ultimate all-weekend-long party, look no further than this popular resort venue in Dripping Springs. Camp Lucy's festivities begin Sunday, April 7 with a special "Stargazing and Space Exploration" presentation by NASA senior research astrophysicist Dr. Michael McElwain beginning at 7 pm. Food will be provided by food trucks from 6-9 pm. Starting at 10 am on April 8, Camp Lucy will open its viewing area at Ian's Chapel for guests to check in and wait for the partial eclipse to begin at 12:16 pm. Dr. McElwain will share two presentations throughout the day for eclipse enthusiasts. Solar glasses and a beer and wine bar with a specialty cocktail will also be available for guests, and there will be live music from Nathan Strubhart. Tickets are $197 per person, and can be purchased via Eventbrite.

Desert Door Distillery
211 Darden Hill Rd, Driftwood
There's still time to nab early bird general admission to Desert Door's eclipse party that begins at 10 am. Austin-based tarot readers Sight and Sound Tarot will be on-site from 11-3 pm in the Rackhouse, and Nowhere Trio will perform from 1-4 pm. Admission includes parking, a free pair of eclipse glasses, entry for a special eclipse giveaway, one free cocktail, and more. Early bird tickets are $50 per person, and will increase to $60 starting March 18. Tickets can be purchased on Eventbrite.

The Salt Lick BBQ
18300 Farm To Market Road 1826, Driftwood
Is it really a true celebration without barbecue? The original Driftwood Salt Lick BBQ location is hosting a celestial-themed party from 10 am to 4 pm, with special performances by Austin-based soul band Tomar and the FCs from 11:30 am to 1 pm, and Dale Watson and His Lonestars from 2-3:30 pm. Local beer, wine, and a selection of non-alcoholic options will be available for guests, as well as the Salt Lick’s "Sloppy Nachos,” sausage wraps, and chopped beef sandwiches. Entrance fees are $25 per vehicle, which includes admission for all passengers. There are a limited two vehicle passes per customer, and RVs, buses, and oversized vehicles are prohibited. Tickets can be purchased via saltlick.ticketbud.com.

Eclipse events in the Austin area

Hilton Austin
500 East 4th St., Austin
The public is invited to the rooftop pool deck at the Hilton Austin from 12:30-3:30 pm to be a part of the hotel's Eclipse and Sips viewing party, no reservations necessary. Guests can try one of the themed cocktails and mocktails like the Lunar Lemonade, Solar Sunrise, and Total Eclipse Elixir while watching the solar event with their complimentary eclipse glasses, courtesy of the Hilton. While you're there, you can also enjoy the panoramic views of downtown Austin.

Vampire Weekend at Moody Amphitheater
1401 Trinity St, Austin
Rock band Vampire Weekend will be taking the stage while Central Texas is shrouded in darkness on April 8, with the concert beginning at 12 pm. It's hard to say what song the band will play for the one minute and 44 seconds of full eclipse, but it should be towards the end of the set — probably "A Punk" if they're going for impact via popularity. Concert tickets can be found on Ticketmaster.

Fusebox Festival
701 W. Riverside Dr, Austin
The famous fringe performing arts event Fusebox Festival is returning to Austin from April 7-14 for a monumental celebration of its 20th anniversary. In partnership with Simons Foundation, The Long Center, and Waterloo Greenway Conservancy, the festival will host a free viewing party on the Long Center Lawn and H-E-B Terrace beginning at 11 am. The team at Radiolab record a special episode from the Long Center, there will be music by Austin composer Graham Reynolds, and many more activities for the public to participate in. Attendees can RSVP via my.thelongcenter.org.

The Fieldhouse at the Crossover
1717 Scottsdale Dr, Suite 160, Leander
Beginning at 11 am to 3 pm, The Fieldhouse at the Crossover will host the ultimate eclipse party with five signature drinks, and a raffle for one lucky patron to win a 2008 Mitsubishi Eclipse car. A portion of the proceeds from each $8 raffle ticket will benefit the son of a Fieldhouse team member who will undergo a kidney transplant in December. DJ Paul Seacrest will provide entertainment for the event, and food will be offered through the Fieldhouse food truck park. Admission is free, and raffle tickets can be purchased via Eventbrite.

Meridian 98 Rooftop Restaurant at Sonesta Bee Cave
12525 Bee Cave Parkway, Bee Cave
Meridian 98 inside the Sonesta Bee Cave hotel is opening early on April 8 just to welcome visitors and locals alike to experience the celestial event while indulging in eclipse-inspired dishes and drinks. Eclipse glasses will be provided to the first 100 attendees with the purchase of a cocktail, such as the Solar Eclipse specialty cocktail or the Galaxy Martini. Soul artist Tejas Bohemio is scheduled to perform from 1-4 pm. Limited spots are still available, reservations can be made by calling the restaurant at (512) 483-5900.

Eclipse events in San Antonio

Six Flags Fiesta Texas
17000 IH-10 West, San Antonio
If you're looking for the ultimate family-friendly viewing experience, Six Flags Fiesta Texas will have reduced operational hours on April 8 from 11 am to 4 pm for park guests to watch the eclipse, followed by a spectacular drone show and fireworks during the period of totality in San Antonio. The drone and firework show is not included with regular park admission, and souvenir packages will be sold separately for an additional $9.99-$49.99 per person. More information can be found on sixflags.com.

The Moon's Daughters at Thompson San Antonio - Riverwalk
115 Lexington Ave, San Antonio
No Sunday brunch will be able to top this spectacular solar brunch at The Moon's Daughters on the 20th floor of the Thompson San Antonio - Riverwalk hotel. From 11 am to 1:30 pm, hotel guests and the public can watch the eclipse from the indoor/outdoor rooftop lounge and bar that overlooks the city. The brunch will include live entertainment, themed cocktails, and complimentary solar glasses. Tickets are $99 per person and can be booked via hyattexperiences.com.

La Cantera Resort & Spa
16641 La Cantera Pkwy, San Antonio
This award-winning spa resort is teaming up with The University of Texas at San Antonio's Department of Physics and Astronomy to provide a fun and educational eclipse event for guests. UTSA students and staff will be on-site at the resort with telescopes for party attendees to use for viewing the eclipse, and will answer questions regarding the eclipse. Eclipse glasses will be provided for all guests, and adults will receive one complimentary cocktail during the event. Light bites and lunch offerings will be available, and Finding Friday will provide entertainment for the afternoon. Tickets are $130 for adults and children ages 12 and up, and $60 for children 12 and under. Tickets can be purchased via squadup.com.

Natural Bridge Caverns
26495 Natural Bridge Caverns Rd, San Antonio
Natural Bridge Caverns will have three different eclipse viewing packages for guests: The Moon Shadow Package ($32.99 per person) which will include event parking, access to the eclipse viewing area, eclipse glasses, and discounts for cavern tours; The Dark Sky Package ($44.99 per person) which includes perks in the Moon Shadow Package, one lawn chair per person, and a souvenir water bottle; and the Totality Package ($199.99 for a minimum of two guests, max four) which includes one reserved picnic table and two lounge chairs, access to a VIP lunch buffet for up to four guests, up to four eclipse glasses and water bottles, and VIP event parking. Tickets can be purchased on naturalbridgecaverns.com.

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Welcome Aboard

10 things to know about the new luxury cruise line sailing from Galveston

Photo courtesy of MSC Cruises

MSC Cruises may have launched its first homeported ship from Galveston this past November, but the cruise line is a giant in the industry.

For decades, Galveston has served as Texas cruisers’ gateway to the sea, but the arrival of MSC Cruises signals a new era. The MSC Seascape’s maiden launch from the island this past November marked the first time the Switzerland-based cruise line homeported a ship in Texas — a notable upgrade for travelers accustomed to shorter, more casual sailings from Galveston.
The MSC Seascape carries nearly 4,000 passengers across a seven-day Caribbean itinerary with stops in Costa Maya and Cozumel, Mexico, and Roatán, Honduras.

Photo courtesy of MSC Cruises

MSC Cruises may have launched its first homeported ship from Galveston this past November, but the cruise line is a giant in the industry.

MSC may be new to Texas, but it’s a global cruising heavyweight. The privately owned company is the world’s third-largest cruise brand, operating 25 ships that visit more than 300 destinations worldwide, with clear ambitions for continued expansion.

Here are 10 things to know before sailing away on the MSC Seascape. (Full disclosure: MSC Cruises hosted the author, but her opinions are her own.)

1. The MSC Yacht Club offers a ship-within-a-ship experience
For those seeking a more intimate stay aboard a vessel hosting thousands, there’s the MSC Yacht Club. One of the largest in the fleet at roughly 32,000 square feet, the Yacht Club functions as a luxury hotel inside the ship, complete with concierge staff, butlers, and an attentive housekeeping team. Located at the front of the Seascape, the private enclave has its own restaurant and lounge, outdoor bar and grill, sundeck, and pool.

While travelers might be tempted to spend the entire trip here, nearly 10 decks of amenities and fun encourage venturing beyond the velvet rope. Each Yacht Club guest receives a wristband that makes getting around the ship effortless, serving as a room key, virtual wallet, access pass to exclusive areas, and even signaling the ship’s elevators to prioritize their selected deck. Yacht Club stays aboard the Seascape range from approximately $2,000 to $7,000 per person, depending on the stateroom.

2. Yacht Club dining is flexible and personable
Freedom from scheduling is one of the Yacht Club’s biggest perks. The club’s private restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner without reservations, with the head chef emerging from the kitchen and personally offering to prepare off-menu dishes if the rotating selections don’t tempt diners. Dishes range from comfort-forward burgers to refined plates like risotto with clams. There never seemed to be a wait, even on gala night, when the dining room filled for steak and lobster.

A poolside buffet and bar fuel sunbathers, while room service covers everything from lazy mornings to late-night cookie-and-milk deliveries. At nearly any hour, a small cluster of cruisers could be found in the Top Sail Lounge, grazing on snacks, ordering from the full bar, and watching the sea stretch endlessly ahead.

3. Specialty restaurants can’t outshine Houston’s dining scene
It’s hard to wow Houstonians when the city’s dining scene sets such a high bar, so it's no surprise that expectations should be tempered for the ship's specialty restaurants. The teppanyaki grill provides entertaining hibachi theatrics, though dishes lack the depth of flavor found at Houston’s Asian restaurants. Butcher’s Cut, the Texas-inspired steakhouse, feels more like an upscale national chain than a local icon such as Pappas Bros. The Seascape's main casual eatery, Marketplace Buffet, stands out for its breadth of buffets, particularly its international offerings, including flavorful Indian dishes.

4. The thermal suite is a standout feature
From barber services to massages and manicures, the Aurea Spa has a full slate of wellness experiences. The thermal suite is a highlight where cruisers can reset after a day (or night) of indulgence. Guests can wander through a variety of saunas, steam rooms with sensory lighting, a snow room, whirlpool, and contrast-therapy showers — or catch a cat nap in the salt room. Access to the thermal area is complimentary for Yacht Club guests, along with a 10 percent discount on additional spa treatments.

5. The extra premium beverage package delivers
Included with the MSC Yacht Club, the extra premium beverage package demonstrates just why the term “booze cruise” exists. Cruisers can enjoy beer, wine, cocktails, top-shelf spirits, and non-alcoholic drinks anywhere on the ship, with a daily limit of 15 alcoholic beverages.

Cocktails must be priced at $16 or less to qualify — a frustrating caveat, especially at Butcher’s Cut, where drink prices exceed the threshold and provide another reason to skip the restaurant.

6. Service is attentive and highly personalized
Around-the-clock concierge and butler service may feel unfamiliar to many American travelers, but it quickly becomes a highlight of the trip. The level of service and attention to detail is immaculate, with staff members remembering preferred drinks, dietary restrictions, and room preferences, greeting guests by name in hallways and readily fulfilling requests. Shout out to Abbas, our dedicated butler, who tracked down a sunscreen that was misplaced at the pool, and John, who always kept our room's ice bucket fresh.

7. There’s less entertainment, but still plenty to do
The Seascape offers fewer large-scale entertainment options than some Gulf-based competitors, but boredom is unlikely. The Robotron thrill ride swings riders high above the water, while an F1 Simulator, sports court, ping pong tables, casino, and live music throughout the ship provide variety. Le Cabaret Rouge hosts interactive events and dance parties, and the Chora Theatre’s lineup includes stand-up comedy and stage productions. Not only are shows free — Yacht Club guests have reserved seating, making spontaneous attendance easy. The seats are located toward the back, so be aware that convenience might triumph over visibility.

8. Bring the necessities, shop the luxuries
Shopping onboard leans high-end, so essentials are best packed ahead of time. A kids’ shop offers LEGO sets and MSC-branded souvenirs, while the duty-free store stocks alcohol, nicotine products, and hard-to-find snack flavors like international Pringles and Oreos.

A stop at the chocolate stop is recommended, if only to view the oversized sculptures crafted from the sweet treat. Constant sales occur throughout the voyage, including big discounts on luxury perfumes and watches, so keep an eye on the daily itinerary if that’s of interest. A more expansive selection of basics, like allergy medication, would be ideal, but there’s always a remedy to be found in one of the port’s many drug stores.

9. Excursions make port days easy
For travelers who prefer a curated experience, MSC offers numerous shore excursions at all three ports. Costa Maya offers access to Mayan ruins like Kohunlich, which requires a two-hour van ride inland and rewards visitors with massive stucco masks honoring the sun god, dating back to around 500 A.D. For travelers eager to embrace beach life, each destination offers adventures such as snorkeling, boating, swimming, white-sand beaches, and tequila tastings. Independent explorers will also find the ports easy to navigate on their own, with shops, bars, and pools just steps from the ship, making it simple to tailor each stop to your travel style.

10. VIP treatment begins before stepping onboard
Yacht Club guests enjoy priority embarkation with a dedicated security line and private waiting area stocked with complimentary snacks and drinks. Disembarkation is also a breeze thanks to staff escorting guests off the ship at ports and at the trip’s end. From the gangway to the parking garage took less than 20 minutes, where reminiscing about the voyage immediately began.

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