So, with the solar eclipse arriving on 8/21/2017, the first thing you should remember is never to look directly at The Sun, even during the eclipse. There are commercial solar glasses available, but before you buy, make sure the lenses you purchase are really certified. There is an onslaught of counterfeit vendors of solar glasses now.
https://eclipse.aas.org/resources/solar-filters
Also, note that looking at The Sun through a film (developed or undeveloped), polarized glass, or (even the best) sunglasses is NOT SAFE. Even if some light is blocked, there is a full electromagnetic spectrum that your retinae are exposed too.
There is, however, an excellent (and cheap) way of observing the passage of The Moon across The Sun. The simplest version requires two pieces of paper or cardboard:
Also, you want to be mobile in case the weather changes. Be flexible with your plans. Get wherever you are going early and be ready to move if necessary.
NASA is having cross-country events where they will have 1,500,000 solar viewers available. Here is a link to find an official viewing site nearby: