Solar eclipse puts Buffalo in the spotlight

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) -- When you think of Buffalo, you may think of the wings, the sports, the weather, but in the next week, the path of totality of the solar eclipse will help put Buffalo on the map.

"How cool is it that these guests and visitors are coming in and exploring," said marketing manager of the Buffalo Waterfront, Michele Cicatello. "It's a great opportunity to show off the city."

Visit Buffalo Niagara officials said more than 10,000 hotel rooms and thousands of Airbnb and Vrbos are already at capacity for the eclipse. The Richardson Hotel is fully booked with an uptick of people checking in starting Thursday.

"It's kind of exciting. This is truly our Super Bowl or our Taylor Swift concert taking place in Buffalo," said Patrick Kaler, President and CEO of Visit Buffalo Niagara.

"We're getting people from all over -- Tennessee, Florida, it's incredible. Buffalo is no secret anymore," said Community Engagement Manager of Douglas Development, Joe Konze. "We have this wonderful event and we are becoming a stronger community with events like this."

With the number of people predicted to travel into Western New York, many organizations are planning events throughout the weekend to help entertain but also to educate those who want to learn more about the eclipse. Eclipse totality will begin around 3:18 p.m. in Western New York.

Buffalo State University has sold out planetarium events and welcomes NASA this Sunday for a free event. As for the day of, Visit Buffalo Niagara encourages everyone to have a plan and prepare to be patient as congestion is expected all throughout New York.

"Plan where you are going to go to make sure they've got some food or you bring some food along with you, got some restrooms as well because you're going to be there for a while," Kaler said.