The Adler Planetarium is going all out for the big solar eclipse. Dubbed Chicago’s Eclipse Fest, the Adler is hosting a whole block party complete with outdoor activities and live experiences throughout the morning and early afternoon. Attendees will be provided with solar viewing glasses for the big eclipse once it happens. The event will be family-friendly and is certainly one to consider for children.

If you’re in the north ‘burbs, head over to the Chicago Botanic Garden for its big eclipse watching party. The Botanic Garden will begin distributing solar glasses starting outside of the Esplanade at 10:00 a.m. to prepare for the eclipse around 11:54 a.m. This one is also a kid-friendly event and will likely be filled with families.

If you’re looking for a more mellow eclipse experience, then the Comfort Station’s watch party may be the one to consider. The event will be hosted outside on the Comfort Station lawn while a livestream of the broadcast of the eclipse will be running inside. Organizers will also distribute certified eclipse glasses for the event.

Looking to kick your solar eclipse experience up several notches? Maybe up about 94 notches? 360 Chicago, the observation deck at the John Hancock Center, is hosting a so-called solar eclipse dance party. Instead of standing around outside staring up at the sky, 360 Chicago invites folks to hang out in the clouds and listen to a DJ set of spacey music. Tickets are $10.25 for adults and $6.75 for kids aged 3 to 11 years old.

Maggie Daley Park is just one of numerous public spaces in the Chicago Park District to host a viewing party next week. The family-friendly park will likely be a popular spot for children and their parents to convene next Monday. According to the city, the event runs from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

The 63rd Street Beach offers picturesque views of Lake Michigan and on Monday, crowds are expected to gather at this site to get a look at the solar eclipse. According to the Chicago Park District’s website, the event will run from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Depending on what happens with the planned overhaul for the Jackson Park golf course, there may not be a lot of time left to enjoy the South Shore Nature Sanctuary as we know it. This month’s eclipse may be the best way to enjoy the celestial event while also celebrating the lushly landscaped sanctuary.

Why not celebrate the solar eclipse over lunch? There’s plenty of room in Humboldt Park to find a spot for a blanket and some prepared foods. The serene environment surrounding the park’s boathouse and lagoon is the perfect place to have a mellow private watching party.

Instead of a light lunch, you can always lug the grill and charcoal out to Montrose Beach for a full-on eclipse barbecue. The solar event will take place during the middle of the day, so it’s the perfect timing to prepare a big lunch if you’ve come with a crowd. Don’t forget the cooler full of brats, ‘chops, and sausages though.