The CN Tower is synonymous with Toronto. Currently the third tallest tower in the world (and still the tallest in North America), it is one of the best known landmarks in Canada.
Completed in 1976, The Canadian National tower was originally intended to be a massive antenna capable of broadcasting TV and radio over long distances and well above Toronto’s rising skyline. The plans eventually evolved and the the CN Tower doubled as a tourist destination.
If you are just interested in the view, there are 3 potential lookout points:
- Brave – The Indoor Lookout Level provides a standard office-like view of the surround city and Lake Ontario. There is also a section with a glass bottom floor where you can directly view the ground from 1200+ feet above.
- Very Brave – The Sky Pod can be reached after a second elevator ride and will give you a 360 degree, uninhibited view of the Greater Toronto area. As the deck is made of mostly glass, it is is not recommended for those queasy about heights (not that most of these people would go up the CN Tower in the first place)
- Daredevil – the Outdoor Observation Terrace contains the Edgewalk, which allows visitors to walk along a steel mesh floor while tethered to a rail above. Not for the faint of heart.
If pressing your luck doesn’t sound appealing, there is also a rotating restaurant just about the Indoor lookout that provides pretty decent fine dining experience. On a good night you can see all the way to Niagara Falls, which is often lit up in different colors.
Speaking of colors, the CN Tower became a photographer favourite after adding thousands of LED lights in 2007. The lights can change colors for special holidays and even run animations. While most Torontonians have never gone up the tower, a large % have taken at least one glowing nighttime photograph.
note: some photos also featured on my Instagram account