CN Tower

This massive tower offers a 360° view of Toronto and the surrounding area and features a glass floor which you can walk on… if you’re brave enough. At the CN Tower, guests will be whisked up the glass elevator to the observation areas where you can get a panoramic view of the city and surrounding area. There are actually two observation levels in the CN Tower, and two glass floors. The LookOut Level is situated at 346m in the air and features a large glass floor, installed directly above the original on the Outdoor Sky Terrace level.

From the Outdoor Sky Terrace, you will be able to enjoy a panoramic view of the city while feeling the breeze from the outside air at 342m high. On this level, you will find the original glass floor, which was the first in the world when it opened in 1994. For those who are intimidated by the glass floor, you may find comfort in knowing that this floor is strong enough to withstand the weight of 35 moose.

From sunset to sunrise, the outside of the tower is lit up from top to bottom. The light colors are typically chosen to promote a variety of charitable and special causes. They will also light up in team colors for local major league sports teams for the first night of each game series and final games. Other experiences available at the CN Tower include the SkyPod, the EdgeWalk, and the 360 Restaurant.

What to Know 

The CN Tower is a tall concrete communication and observation building nestled in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Standing at 553.3 meters (1,815.3 feet), it was completed in 1976 and was originally named for the Canadian National railway company that built it on the former Railway Lands. In 1995, the railway company divested itself of non-essential assets and transferred ownership of the observatory to the Canada Lands Company, a federal organization responsible for real estate development. The CN Tower held the title of "World's Tallest Free-Standing Structure" for more than 34 years until it was surpassed by the Burj Khalifa in Dubai in 2007.

How to Get There

You can spot the entrance of CN Tower at 290 Bremner Blvd., between the Rogers Centre and Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada, in the heart of downtown Toronto. This is the only entrance nestled to the south of CN Tower, so it's recommended that you arrive only via Bremner Boulevard for your own convenience including ease of access, drop off, and parking. If you arrive through Front Street, you will be led across the Rod Robbie Bridge toward Bremner Blvd. There's plenty of parking space for motor vehicles and bikes all around the tower, so you don't have to worry about anything! 

The best way to get to this tower is by booking a tour that will drive you around Toronto passing multiple points of interest such as Nathan Phillips Square, Younge & Dundas Square, the Distillery District, Cherry Beach, and more, before taking you to this tower! Your guide will pick you up from your hotel in downtown Toronto to save you the hassle of navigating through the city to reach this location!

Best Time to Visit 

It's always a good time to climb atop this massive tower as it's open throughout the year with a gorgeous vista of Canada's four seasons. However, if you want to take some great photos for social media and have some space to yourself, visit the CN Tower early in the morning before 11:00 am. The crowds start to arrive around noon, and weekends are usually the busiest. If you want to see the stunning night sky views, climb atop this tower after 7:00 pm as the crowds start to thin out around that time.

Highlights

See an unparalleled vista of Toronto and Lake Ontario from three special vantage points! See as far as 160km standing on the Main Observation Level or the SkyPod! Conquer EdgeWalk for a hands-free tour around the tower, 116 stories above ground level! Brave your fears and walk on the famous Glass Floor! Dine at the 360 Restaurant with a panoramic view of the Toronto skyline and more! Shop memorabilia at the gift shop on your way out! 

Features

At a staggering height of 553 meters, the Canadian National Tower is the tallest free-standing structure in the western hemisphere and a must-see attraction for tourists and locals alike in Toronto. The CN Tower introduced the thrilling EdgeWalk in 2011, the first attraction of its kind in North America. If you have ever wanted to experience the sensation of being 356 meters (1,168 feet) above Toronto in the open air, EdgeWalk is the perfect activity. It is the world's highest full-circle hands-free walk and takes place on a 1.5-meter (5-foot) ledge around the top of the CN Tower's main pod which will surely give you an adrenaline rush! Participants can walk safely around the pod while being bound to an overhead rail by a harness.

For a memorable dining experience, the CN Tower's 360 Restaurant is the ideal choice. This revolving restaurant offers stunning 360-degree views of the city from the top of the Tower as it completes a rotation every 72 minutes! Dig into a creative, seasonally-inspired menu featuring locally-sourced Canadian ingredients. The restaurant also boasts an extensive selection of wines from Canada and other countries, as well as the world's highest wine cellar. Dining at 360 is a truly inspiring gastronomic experience in a unique setting.

If you want to see more stunning views, check out the SkyPod which is 33 stories higher than the Main Observation Level (which is 346 meters above ground level). If you're feeling brave, take a walk on the Glass Floor which features glass panels 6.3 centimeters (2.5 inches) thick and can bear the weight of 35 moose! Be sure to stop by the 8,000 sq ft gift shop on your way out when you're done with your tour. The shop offers a wide range of souvenirs, including First Nations arts and crafts, Canadiana, miniature replicas of the CN Tower, and more to gift your loved ones back home! 

History

The 1960s construction explosion in Toronto completely transformed the city from a regional hub into a bustling, cosmopolitan space. However, the city's existing transmission towers were not tall enough to effectively transmit radio and television signals over the new skyscrapers causing the signals to be lost. To solve this problem and showcase Canada's innovative and industrious spirit, Canadian National, the Crown corporation that operated the country's biggest railway network, embarked on a project to build the CN Tower which would be the tallest in the world upon completion, being more than capable of broadcasting signals far and wide across Toronto.

The CN Tower — a great example of architectural magnificence — was eventually constructed in 1976 by structural engineer R.R. Nicolet and architects John Andrews, and Roger Du Toit. With the aid of Webb Zerafa Menkès Housden Partnership, the project took 40 months to complete with 1,537 people working around the clock, five days a week, at a cost of $52 million. Construction of the structure began in February 1973, followed by the 335-meter-long shaft with a hexagon-shaped core and three supporting arms. Upon completion of the shaft, the CN Tower became the tallest building in Canada. However, there was still more to come.

Construction on the sphere, which would contain the restaurant and observation decks, began in August 1974 after the main part of the building had been completed. The final stages of construction on the tower then began, including the use of the helicopter "Olga" to assemble and place the 102-meter-long steel antenna on top, which was made up of 44 different pieces.

On June 26, 1975, the CN Tower officially opened to the public after being completed on April 2, 1975. The tower was soon recognized as the "World's Tallest Free-Standing Structure" and received other notable accolades, such as the world's highest wine cellar and a spot on the American Society of Civil Engineers' 1995 list of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World. These achievements put the CN Tower on par with other famous structures, such as the Empire State Building in New York City and the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco.

FAQs

Where is the CN Tower located?

CN Tower is nestled at 290 Bremner Blvd. in the heart of downtown Toronto. But you don't have to drive down there because that's our job! 

Where can you spot the entrance to the tower?

You can locate the only entrance to the tower at 290 Bremner Blvd. between the Rogers Centre and Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada. People who arrive through Front Street will be led across the Rod Robbie Bridge toward this entrance.

How long is the Toronto Tour featuring CN Tower?

The Scenic Toronto Night Tour is about 2.5 hours long and includes a city drive passing multiple points of interest such as Nathan Phillips Square, Younge & Dundas Square, the Distillery District, Cherry Beach, and more. But the highlight of this tour is CN Tower so you'll have plenty of time to explore all the major attractions in this staggeringly tall structure! If you want to spend even more time touring Toronto, consider booking our other tours like the Best of Toronto Tour which will give you 4 hours to explore the city. A highlight of this tour is Toronto Harbour Boat Cruise!

What are the hours of operation for a tour of the tower? 

The CN Tower remains open Monday to Sunday from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm. You can plan a visit to this tower on any day of the year!

How many people can you bring along to the CN Tower?

If you're visiting the tower as a part of our tours such as the Buffalo to Toronto or Toronto Night Tour, you can bring along 6 more people with you as they're small group tours!

Can you capture photos in this tower?

You can and are encouraged to bring your cameras with you so you can capture a perfect view of your surroundings from a vantage point!

Are animals allowed here?

You can bring along certified service animals but pets shouldn't be brought here for their safety!