CN Tower, Toronto

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Officially opened in October 1976 and standing at 553 metres (1815 feet) tall, the CN Tower was the place I most wanted to visit while in Toronto. The stunning structure can be seen from all over the city and is just as impressive close up.

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Once at the top of the CN Tower there are spectacular views of Toronto and Lake Ontario from either the Look Out Level or the Sky Pod. Visability on a clear day is over 160km (100 miles). It's possible to see both Niagara Falls and Rochester in New York State.

The tower is the highest building in Toronto, and it has all the common attractions in this kind of structures - high speed elevators, rotating restaurant, sightseeing points but also a wine cellar, 3D movies and more. Sorry we had no time to go up!

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If you visit the city, the 553 meters high CN Tower (Canada's National Tower, constructed 1973 – 1976 ) is one of the first things, you notice from a distance already. In the tower you should experience at least three attractions:
First one is the Skypod observation deck at 447 meters. In case of clear weather from here you can see all the way to Niagara Falls.
Second one is the favourite of many visitors, the Glass Floor, also mine. Through it, you can see all the way down to street level, it is really amazing. You do not need to afraid from a breaking of the glass, it stands more than 2 tons.
Third one is the Lookout at 346 meters, the first stop of the glass-walled elevators. This level above the Glass Floor contains the IMAX theater, two flight simulators, a nightclub, and the revolving restaurant.

Entrance fee for Total Tower Experience including Look Out+Glass Floor+Movie+Flight Simulator: C$ 30.00

Notice:Since 2009 Burj Dubai is world's tallest structure with its height of about 2,260 ft

As you will have already discovered if you've found this tip, there are loads of tips on the CN Tower on VT, and everyone else seemed to absolutely love it, so, for what it's worth, here's a dissenting point of view.

I didn't actively dislike the CN Tower, but I was distinctly underwhelmed by it. So, it was once both the world's highest tower and the world's highest free standing structure - now in the Top 5, depending on the criteria you apply - well, maybe I'm missing the point, but so what?

For me, ascending a high structure is only really of interest if it can be used as a vantage point to give you an unusual perspective on the surroundings. So the Arc de Triomphe, for example, although not extraordinarily high, is worth going to the top of because from there, you see Baron Hausmann's Grand Vision for Paris made real and stretching out at your feet. And therein lies the problem with the CN Tower - in my very personal opinion, there simply isn't very much worth seeing from the top. The landscape is pancake flat and not particularly attractive, the ribbon of development along the shores of Lake Ontario is unremarkable, and precisely because the CN Tower is so high, the high rise developments of the CBD (which are actually quite interesting from another perspective, such as the Toronto Islands), lose their definition and individuality because they're so far below you.

To my mind, the most interesting aspect of the view from the CN Tower is the bird's eye perspective on the neighbouring Rogers Centre - formerly the SkyDome and home to the Toronto Blue Jays. This was the first sports stadium to have a fully retractable motorised roof and is a nifty bit of engineering (I personally thought that it was more interesting than the CN Tower).

Others have waxed lyrical about the many thing that you can do in the CN Tower, including dining at the revolving restaurant, ascending up to the Sky Pod, doing the EdgeWalk and standing on the glass floor. I only did the latter, and can't say that it made a major impression on me, other than registering that it was an awfully long way down.

If you are still convinced that the CN Tower is worth doing, then I suspect that the view is probably at is best at night when the view of the twinkling CBD lights would probably lend an added cachet. It's also possible that during Fall (a north Americanism of which I heartily approve), the palette of autumnal colours would lend another dimension to the landscape, although I stand to be corrected on this point.

And, for fear of stating the obvious, it's not even worth considering this if the cloud is low, because you won't see a thing. As Toronto weather can be quite changeable, I would suggest that if the CN Tower is on your 'must do' itinerary and the weather is fine, then shelve whatever other plans you had and head up the tower whilst the weather is clement.

In summary, going up the CN Tower - even if you forego the optional extras - is resource intensive on several counts, as it is hellish expensive (over C$20 just to access the lookout and glass floor at the time of writing in September 2011) and would probably also involve a wait in peak season, even if you bought your ticket online due to limitations on the number of visitors that are permitted at any given time. So particularly if you're a budget traveller or have limited time in Toronto, I would suggest that your time and money could be much better spent doing something more worthwhile such as a trip to the Bata Shoe Museum, Royal Ontario Museum or a ferry ride to the Toronto Islands.

One unexpected high point for me was the gift shop by the entrance is large and absolutely excellent. It sells a wide range of high quality souvenirs, and you don't have to pay the entrance fee to visit the gift shop.

Taller than Kuala Lumpur's Petronas Towers and Chicago's Sears Tower (but not taller than Dubai's newest superskyscraper), Toronto's CN Tower is certainly a sight to behold! While not technically considered a building, the CN Tower functions as a broadcast tower while also offering observation decks and a restaurant waaaaaaay above the skyscrapers of the Financial District. If you're not afraid of heights then this is certainly a must see destination!

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I've visited CN Tower three times now (once in 2000 and twice in 2006). It is known as "Canada's National Tower" and "a Wonder of the Modern World and the World's Tallest Building" (from the CN Tower Guest Guide). I enjoyed going up the tower where I enjoyed the city views down below from the Glass Floor (342 m); Look Out (346 m); and the Sky Pod (446 m). As well as the observation desks, there is a revolving restaurant and a marketplace.

I used my CityPass to visit the attraction but you can check out the website for more information and prices.

The CN Tower was celebrating their 30th Anniversary when it I was there in 2006. The CN Tower first opened to the public in 1976.

Just got back from Toronto where my family lives. I had no idea they were changing the CN Tower, as I am pretty attached to it- I grew up in Toronto as a kid. But after being in town for a visit, my brother surprised me by taking me Downtown to see the tower at night. Amazing! The new LED system is truly amazing. I think it really looks great and makes the skyline shine! Good one for Toronto. If you're in Toronto or in the GTA, be sure to stop by the CN Tower.

My tip: Go right before Sunset (when they light the tower.) They have a little light show at the top of every hour while it's lit. I've included a website that has pictures of the tower lit up as well. It's great, but you really have to see it in person. It's surreal at first!

Have an amazing time in Toronto!