Toronto is a world-class cosmopolitan city with a wide range of popular attractions, including CN Tower. It was once the world’s tallest structure, soaring over 1,815 feet above the city. It held the record for 32 years from 1976 to 2007 when it was eclipsed by Dubai’s Burj Khalifa.
Although the tower has lost its crown as the tallest, there are more than 1.5 million visitors every year, as one of Toronto’s top attractions. While it’s not to be missed, you might want to come on a weekday or during the early mornings hours to miss the crowds. Beyond its height, there are many reasons to visit the CN Tower, whether you’re here on vacation, business, or to search through real estate in Toronto with plans to make a move.
Take in the Views From The World’s Highest Glass Floor Elevator
CN Tower boasts the world’s highest glass floor elevator, introduced in April of 2008 as the first of its kind in North America. The three glass-fronted elevators provide a thrilling perspective of the city, straight down, nearly 1,140 feet through two glass panels in the elevator’s floors. Whizzing up to the viewing decks is worth the price of admission alone. The 58-second ride up promises spectacular panoramic views that will also allow you to get your bearings with a better understanding of the layout below. The viewing platforms provide a 360-degree view of Lake Ontario and Toronto, and from an even higher SkyPod, you can see as far as 100 miles on a clear day, all the way to Niagara Falls.
Enjoy the Thrill of the EdgeWalk
If you dare, you can embark on the EdgeWalk, a heart-pounding hands-free walk around the outside ledge of the tower. It will test your nerves like almost nothing else as the world’s highest outdoor walk at 1,168 feet above the ground. The 5-foot-wide ledge encircles the top of the tower’s main pod, making it almost feel as if you’re flying over the planet. It operates in all weather, with the exception of high winds and electrical storms. While a sunny day is nice, especially for the view, you’ll enjoy the thrill no matter what it’s like outside.
Visit Ripley’s Aquarium
Once your heart rate has slowed back down, you can visit Ripley’s Aquarium at the base of CN Tower down below. If you visit the tower and the aquarium, be sure to get the “Sea to Sky” pass, which covers admission to both at a lower price than you’d pay for each separately. While it may look small from the outside, this is Canada’s largest indoor aquarium and its top attraction, spread over 135,000-square-feet, housing around 20,000 aquatic animals.
Visitors can stroll a moving walkway through the Dangerous Lagoon, another record-holder as North America’s longest moving sidewalk, bringing close encounters with a wide variety of marine creatures, including 14 species of sharks. The Discovery Dive program offers the chance to take a 30-minute guided dive with them if you’re especially adventurous.