The Canadian National tower, better known as the CN tower, is the highest free-standing structure in the world.  It is one of the best-known Toronto attractions, as a standout on the Toronto city skyline.   As soon as you get a first glace of the city, the slim shape of the Toronto CN tower will catch your eye.   Located at the southern end of the city, near the lake, the CN tower Toronto measures 533 meters high (after the antenna was added in 1975).  Though the tower primarily functions for radio and television signals, it also has attractive features for visitors.  At the top of the tower are a revolving CN tower restaurant and lookout platforms.  Dining in the CN tower restaurant is expensive, but if you plan to eat there, you won’t have to pay the fee for riding up the elevator.  You will have to pay, however, if you only plan to get a drink at the bar. 

Taking the glass elevator up to the observation decks of the Toronto CN tower is an experience in itself, and once you reach the top you’ll have the best view in the city.  One of the observation decks is enclosed, the other is open, and can get quite windy.  The latter is not recommended for those who get dizzy easily.   One of the observation decks has a glass floor, which makes the view all the more interesting.  From these observation decks, it’s possible to see for about 160km on a clear day.  You can check the weather and time display at the bottom of the tower before going up.

Above the observation decks is the Skypod, the world’s highest observation gallery.  Views from here are fantastic, but not that different than the decks below.  The Skypod costs $7 CAN extra to see, so you decide if the extra 100m up is worth the cost.

The CN tower history dates back to February 6, 1973 when the tower construction began by Canadian National Railway.   CN Railway wanted to build a platform for radio and TV communication that would serve the Greater Toronto Area and exhibit Canadian industry’s strength.   Work on the CN Tower Toronto went on 24 hours a day, 5 days a week for 40 months.  It was completed on June 26, 1976 and opened to the public.

The CN tower Toronto is open daily from 9am-10pm January-April; 8am-11pm May-December.  Cost is $16 for adults.

At the base of the Toronto CN tower is an attraction called the Tour of the Universe.  For the price of entry you can walk through a simulated space port, see a laser show and experience what it’s like to fly through space.   Tour of the Universe is open daily from 10am until 10pm.