Where To Get Eclipse Glasses in Atlanta: A Local Guide

If you’re in Atlanta, Georgia and planning to watch a solar eclipse, you’ll need safe, certified eclipse glasses. Looking directly at the sun without proper protection can seriously damage your eyes, so knowing where to get eclipse glasses in Atlanta is essential.

Below is a practical, locally focused guide to the most common and reliable places Atlantans look for eclipse glasses, plus tips to make sure what you buy is actually safe.

Key Options for Eclipse Glasses in Atlanta

In Atlanta, eclipse glasses are commonly available through:

• Science and museum gift shops
• Public libraries and community programs
• Planetariums, universities, and astronomy clubs
• Big-box and hardware stores
• Pharmacies and grocery stores
• Online retailers shipping to Atlanta
• Local events and watch parties

Not every option will be active for every eclipse, but these are the main patterns to watch for.

Science & Museum Gift Shops in Atlanta

Science-focused museums and centers in Atlanta are often among the most reliable local sources for eclipse glasses, especially in the weeks leading up to a major eclipse.

Fernbank Science Center (DeKalb County Schools)

Fernbank Science Center frequently supports local skywatching events and has been known to distribute or sell eclipse glasses around major celestial events.

• Location: 156 Heaton Park Dr, Atlanta, GA 30307
• Phone: (678) 874-7102

Check their gift shop and any special eclipse programs or public observing nights they may announce. Because they are tied to the school system, eclipse glasses distributed here are typically geared toward safe educational use.

Fernbank Museum of Natural History

The Fernbank Museum of Natural History sometimes offers eclipse-themed programming and may carry eclipse glasses in its museum store, especially if the eclipse aligns with a special exhibit or event.

• Location: 767 Clifton Rd, Atlanta, GA 30307
• Phone: (404) 929-6300

Call ahead or ask at the Fernbank Store about availability and any upcoming eclipse-viewing events.

Tellus Science Museum (Cartersville – Popular for Atlanta Day Trips)

While not in the city limits, Tellus Science Museum in Cartersville is a common destination for Atlanta-area skywatchers and has a strong astronomy focus.

• Location: 100 Tellus Dr, Cartersville, GA 30120
• Phone: (770) 606-5700

For big eclipses, Tellus often organizes viewing events and may sell ISO-certified eclipse glasses on site. Many Atlanta residents make the short drive specifically for these programs.

Public Libraries & Community Programs

For some eclipses, eclipse glasses are offered free as part of public education initiatives. In Atlanta, these usually flow through library systems and community organizations.

Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System

Branches within the Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System have participated in past nationwide eclipse efforts by distributing free eclipse glasses and hosting educational sessions.

• Central Library: 1 Margaret Mitchell Sq, Atlanta, GA 30303
• General Phone: (404) 730-1700

What to do:

• Check announcements on upcoming science or astronomy programs
• Call your nearest branch to ask whether they are giving out eclipse glasses
• Ask about limits per person and pickup times, as supplies can run out quickly

DeKalb County Public Library & Other Metro Systems

If you’re in the broader metro area, check:

• DeKalb County Public Library (Administrative Office: 215 Sycamore St, Decatur, GA 30030 | Phone: (404) 508-7190)
• Gwinnett County Public Library (Administrative Office: 1001 Lawrenceville Hwy, Lawrenceville, GA 30046 | Phone: (770) 978-5154)
• Cobb County Public Library and Clayton County Library System

These systems sometimes coordinate eclipse glasses giveaways and family-friendly eclipse programs, especially for school-age kids.

Planetariums, Universities & Astronomy Clubs

Atlanta’s academic and astronomy communities are excellent resources, both for safe glasses and expert guidance on viewing.

Georgia State University (GSU) – Physics & Astronomy

Georgia State University has active astronomy programs and occasionally hosts public observing events for major sky phenomena.

• Main Campus: Downtown Atlanta
• General Phone: (404) 413-2000

Look for:

• GSU public outreach events (often advertised through the Department of Physics and Astronomy)
• Potential eclipse-watch gatherings, where eclipse glasses or viewing tools may be distributed or available for use

Georgia Tech

Georgia Tech also supports astronomy-related outreach through campus clubs and departments.

• Main Address: North Ave NW, Atlanta, GA 30332
• Main Phone: (404) 894-2000

Check:

• Campus event calendars
• Activities from student astronomy clubs or related organizations
  These groups sometimes partner with local schools or the public for eclipse viewing and may supply a limited number of safe viewing glasses.

Local Astronomy Clubs

Atlanta-area astronomy clubs are known for organizing eclipse watch parties and public events:

• Atlanta Astronomy Club (often meets in and around metro Atlanta)
• Other regional stargazing groups that publicize events at parks, schools, and observatories

They may:

• Offer eclipse glasses at events
• Provide shared telescopes with solar filters
• Help verify whether your own glasses are appropriate for use

Search for upcoming “Atlanta eclipse viewing” events a few months before the eclipse date to find these opportunities.

Retail Stores in Atlanta That Commonly Carry Eclipse Glasses

As an eclipse approaches, many Atlantans turn to familiar retail chains. Availability can vary, but certain types of stores frequently stock eclipse glasses or solar viewers.

Big-Box & General Retail

Around major eclipse dates, large retailers with Atlanta locations often bring in displays of eclipse glasses, especially in high-traffic areas like:

• Howell Mill, Edgewood Retail District
• Buckhead, Perimeter, Cumberland
• Camp Creek Marketplace, Southlake area

Typical store types:

• Large general merchandise chains
• Warehouse clubs
• Big sporting goods stores (often in suburbs like Kennesaw, Alpharetta, or Snellville)

What to do:

• Call the store’s Atlanta location in advance and ask specifically about “ISO 12312-2 certified eclipse glasses”
• Check whether they are in seasonal displays or electronics/optics aisles

Hardware & Home Improvement Stores

Some hardware chains and home improvement centers in metro Atlanta stock eclipse glasses, especially those that also sell welding and safety equipment.

You may find them:

• Near safety goggles or welding supplies
• In special seasonal science/DIY displays near the front of the store

Always confirm that the glasses are specifically for solar viewing and clearly labeled with ISO 12312-2.

Pharmacies & Grocery Stores

During high-demand periods, pharmacies and grocery stores in Atlanta neighborhoods sometimes carry eclipse glasses at checkout or on seasonal racks.

Look around:

• Pharmacy counters (ask staff)
• Seasonal/holiday aisles
• End caps near health, wellness, or magazines

Because supplies are limited and sell fast in busy neighborhoods like Midtown, Inman Park, West Midtown, and East Atlanta, it’s a good idea to check several locations if you’re close to eclipse day.

Buying Eclipse Glasses Online for Delivery to Atlanta

Ordering online for delivery to your Atlanta address can be convenient, especially if you plan ahead by several weeks.

Tips:

• Buy only from reputable sellers that clearly state their glasses meet ISO 12312-2 for direct solar viewing.
• Avoid deals that look unusually cheap or listings with unclear branding or labeling.
• Plan for shipping time and potential delays, especially if the eclipse is a widely publicized event that may cause a spike in demand.

If you purchase online, inspect the glasses when they arrive:

• The lenses should have no scratches, pinholes, or damage.
• When you look through them indoors, the environment should appear very dark; you should only be able to comfortably see very bright lights.

Community Events & Watch Parties in Atlanta

For big eclipses, Atlanta often sees organized watch events where eclipse glasses are handed out on a first-come, first-served basis.

Typical host locations:

• Parks and recreation departments (e.g., large city parks like Piedmont Park or Grant Park, often through partner organizations)
• Universities and colleges
• Museums and science centers
• Large churches or community centers with education-focused programs

How to find them:

• Look at citywide event calendars and neighborhood social channels
• Search for “Atlanta eclipse viewing event” or “Atlanta solar eclipse watch party” a few months in advance
• Check announcements from institutions like Fernbank, GSU, and public library systems

At these events:

• Arrive early; free eclipse glasses tend to run out quickly
• Bring backup options (such as a pinhole projector) in case glasses are limited

How to Make Sure Eclipse Glasses Are Safe

No matter where you get eclipse glasses in Atlanta, it’s important to confirm they’re actually suitable for solar viewing.

Look for These Key Features

• ISO 12312-2 labeling
  The glasses should say they meet ISO 12312-2 for direct solar viewing.

• Manufacturer or brand information
  Avoid unmarked or generic-looking glasses with no brand name or contact details.

• No damage to the lenses
  Do not use them if:

  • The lens is scratched, torn, or creased
  • Light leaks through at the edges
  • There are visible pinholes

• Very dark when you put them on indoors
  When worn in a normal room, you should not be able to see objects clearly. You may see only very bright lights as faint dots.

Simple Safety Reminders

• Do not use regular sunglasses, even very dark ones, as a substitute.
• Do not look at the sun through cameras, binoculars, or telescopes unless they have proper solar filters designed for that purpose and installed correctly.
• Follow any instructions printed on the eclipse glasses, such as time limits for continuous use or age recommendations.

Quick Reference: Where to Look for Eclipse Glasses in Atlanta

When to Start Looking in Atlanta

Eclipse glasses do not appear on shelves year-round. In Atlanta, most sources begin to stock or distribute them:

• Around 1–3 months before a major solar eclipse
• More heavily in the final few weeks
• With a rush in the last days, when many locations start to sell out

If you know an eclipse is coming and you want to watch from Atlanta, it’s best to:

1. Mark the eclipse date on your calendar.
2. Start checking museums, libraries, and trusted retailers at least a month in advance.
3. Consider ordering online early so you’re not competing with last-minute demand in popular neighborhoods.

By combining these local options—museums, libraries, universities, retail stores, and community events—you’ll have multiple ways to safely get eclipse glasses in Atlanta and enjoy the show without putting your eyes at risk.