CN Tower

The CN Tower was completed in 1976 at 553.3 metres, making it the world’s tallest free-standing structure for 34 years until Burj Khalifa opened in 2010. It lost the record. It is still the best observation point in Toronto and one of the more satisfying views available from any North American city on a clear day. The engineering is more interesting than the height competition it used to win.

The Visit

General admission gets you to the LookOut Level at 346 metres and the Glass Floor directly below, where transparent panels let you look straight to the ground. The Glass Floor does not move or flex; your body will tell you otherwise and take a moment to update. Most people need several seconds to commit to walking fully across it.

The SkyPod at 447 metres is higher and requires a surcharge. The space is small and can feel crowded with 20 people; the views are marginally better. The general LookOut level is more comfortable for spending real time.

The EdgeWalk, an outdoor circumnavigation of the main pod rim at 356 metres in a harness, involves leaning outward over the city edge. About 90 minutes, requires advance booking for weekend slots, costs around CAD 195 to 225. Some visits are weather-cancelled. It is one of the more specifically vertigo-inducing experiences available anywhere in a major city, and worth it if that kind of experience appeals to you.

The 360 Restaurant rotates once every 72 minutes. The food is competent Canadian fine dining; you are paying for the view. The meal cost credits against the observation deck admission ticket.

The Neighbourhood

Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada directly beside the tower is excellent: a large tunnel tank with sharks passing overhead is the headline. Allow two hours. Rogers Centre to the north hosts Blue Jays baseball; an evening game there is a worthwhile summer allocation of four hours.

The Toronto Islands, accessible by 15-minute ferry from the Jack Layton Ferry Terminal near the tower, are car-free parkland with beaches and skyline views. They are significantly undervisited relative to how enjoyable they are; most tourists never make the crossing.

Eating and Staying

Alo on Spadina Avenue is Toronto’s most acclaimed fine-dining restaurant. Canoe on the 54th floor of the TD Bank Tower has city views and a good wine program. Both require booking ahead.

Fairmont Royal York opposite Union Station is the grand hotel option, opened in 1929. The Hotel X Toronto at Exhibition Place has an outdoor rooftop pool with tower views.

Union Station directly behind the Royal York connects to the UP Express airport train (25 minutes to Pearson, CAD 12.35): the best airport rail connection in any Canadian city.