The CN Tower in Toronto held the record as the tallest free-standing structure in the world for many years, but recently lost that title to the Burj Khalifa in 2007. Though it is no longer in the record books, the CN Tower is still the most iconic structure in Toronto and one of the most popular attractions in the city.
The tower stands an impressive 553m high (that's 1815 feet) at the top, but there is a substantial amount of antennae up there and the highest observation deck where you can visit is approximately 446m (1465 feet). You can get some impressive views, not only of the city but also over the lake as well.
Attractions
Of course, the main attraction at the CN Tower is the view. The Look Out level has the famous glass floor where you can stand and look straight down between your feet. It's actually very impressive, and can be dizzying even though you are completely safe and standing on solid ground. If you want to go a little higher, the Sky Pod is the highest level for visitors. There is also a motion theatre ride, but that will require an extra ticket at entrance.
The elevator going up is on the outside of the tower, so you can get some fun views just on the ride up. It takes several minutes once the elevator is full.
The 360 Restaurant
One of the more unique attractions at the CN Tower is the 360 Restaurant. Why is it unusual? Because it rotates. That's right, the entire restaurant slowly turns and can provide you with a changing view throughout your meal. The spin is quite slow, and isn't enough to be distracting or make you motion sick. You will likely get one full revolution through the course of your meal.
It's not a spot for a quick bite with the kids though. The 360 Restaurant is a high-end culinary establishment and most individual entrees are close to $40 each (not including any appetizers, desserts or wine). It's a fancy spot, and a good place to get away from the more touristy establishments.
Visitor Details
The Tower generally opens up at 9am and closes at 11pm, though the restaurants don't start serving lunch until 11am. It's open every day but Christmas.
Ticket prices will depend on how high up the tower you want to go. The main Look Out level is $23 for adults and $15 for children, and it's about 5 dollars more if you want to go higher to the Sky Pod. The motion theatre ride is $9 but you can also bundle that in with the elevator tickets for a better price. Check their website for all the ticketing options.
If you have a CityPass, you can also get a reduced rate.
Considering its size, you can usually see the CN Tower from anywhere in downtown which can make it pretty easy to find. The address is 301 Front Street West (at the corner of John Street). There are public buses, and the main Union subway station is a 5 minute walk away.
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