(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — On April 8, southern Illinois will be briefly plunged into darkness by a total solar eclipse.
Plenty of hotels in the path of totality will turn off their vacancy lights because of the big event. A survey by WBBM of hotels near Olney, which is about 125 miles due east of St. Louis, found many are already booked up.
The Best Western Plus is charging $400 a night with a three-night requirement. A staffer there said some visitors are coming from as far away as the United Kingdom.
That Best Western was sold out, as was the Super 8, Travelers Inn and the Gas Lite Motel.
Just over the border, though, in Vincennes, Ind., the Red Roof Inn had available rooms. They're charging $700 per night for eclipse accommodations.
Jessica Senger who works at the Holiday Motel in Olney, usually sees an uptick around this time of year because of the fishing season.
“They’ve stayed here for 30-plus years, and they always just keep coming back to us,” said Senger.
Their normal $60 dollars per night rate has been eclipsed by a special $300 rate for the big event.
“We’ve had several bookings starting last week, and we still have probably about 20 – 25 rooms still available,” she said.
Senger said she missed seeing the last one in 2017 because she was working at another job. This year, she plans to enjoy it with her family.
Olney — which is known for its albino rodents — is hosting a White Squirrel Blackout party for the eclipse with a street festival, a 5K run and other events.
Listen to our new podcast Looped In: Chicago
Listen to WBBM Newsradio now on Audacy!
Sign up and follow WBBM Newsradio
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | TikTok