Whether you’re a Toronto local or visiting for the first time, chances are you’re acquainted with the city’s most celebrated icon. The CN Tower attracts over two million visitors every year and never fails to impress.
CN Tower Facts
A true engineering marvel, the 553-metre-high observation and communication tower was the tallest freestanding structure in the world for 32 years. (It was surpassed by the Burj Khalifa in 2007.) And while it may no longer hold that particular Guinness title, the tower is still home to the world’s highest wine cellar. Designated one of the Seven Modern Wonders of the World by the American Society of Civil Engineers, it’s the centrepiece of Toronto’s iconic skyline and changes colour based on the occasion thanks to thousands of exterior LED lights. And if the thought of viewing the city from over half a kilometre above ground has you shaking in your shoes, the tower has the strength and flexibility to withstand a major earthquake.
While the tower is impressive when viewed from the outside, it more than merits the admission price. If you’re athletically inclined, you can walk up 1,776 metal stairs to reach the main deck level (the rest of us will take the high speed glass elevator.) Keep going to reach the lookout level (114 stories above ground) and the iconic glass floor where you see the ground a dizzying 342 metres below. Once you’re there, you can enjoy the stunning 360-degree views of Toronto and Lake Ontario, and watch planes take off and land at nearby Billy Bishop Airport. Other major attractions in the neighbourhood include Ripley’s Aquarium, Rogers Centre (home of the Toronto Blue Jays) and the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. If you’re in town overnight, we’re just a 10-minute walk away.
Dining on top of the world
Planning a special celebration? The rotating 360 Restaurant offers far more than the best views in the city. Fresh, locally sourced ingredients come together in regionally inspired dishes like smoked Fraser River sturgeon with cranberry brioche, maple and shallots; roasted Perth County smoked tenderloin; and seared Fogo Island cod. Prix fixe lunch and dinner menus allow a sampling of the best seasonal dishes, and the knowledgeable staff can provide pairing suggestions from the extensive Canadian wine and craft beer list. The restaurant boasts a number of major awards including the Wine Spectator Best of Award of Excellence and Distinguished Restaurants of North America Award for Excellence in Dining Experience.
Living on the Edge
The CN Tower’s latest attraction is also its most spectacular. Edgewalk, which opened in 2011, invites thrill seekers to walk around a 1.5-metre-wide ledge on the roof of the tower’s main pod, tethered to an overhead rail system. At 116 stories above ground, it’s a heart-pounding experience and a test of your personal limits—definitely not for the faint of heart. The attraction operates seasonally from April to October, weather permitting.
Spectacular views, high-end dining and the most thrilling entertainment in the city—the CN tower is more than a must-see attraction. It’s the quintessential Toronto experience.