Toronto CN Tower
One of Toronto’s most iconic attractions towers high above the rest, and it is the highlight of the City’s skyline. It is the infamous CN Tower. The Tower has earned the designation as one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World by the American Society of Engineers, along with the Panama Canal, the Golden Gate Bridge, the English Chunnel, the Itaipu Dam, Empire State Building, and the North Sea Protection Works.
On July 26, 1976, the CN Tower officially opened at the cost of sixty-three million dollars. Construction of the Tower started in 1973, and over 1,500 labourers worked five days a week, twenty-four hours a day, for 40 months to its completion. Over 56 tonnes of earth and shale were removed to prepare the base, and it took over 40,500 metres of concrete to construct the Tower. It serves as a telecommunications hub for over 16 televisions and radio stations.
In March 1975, the Tower was officially designated as the World’s Tallest Free-Standing structure by the Guinness World Book of Records. The final section of the antenna was installed, bringing the height of the Tower to 553.33 metres or 1815 feet and five inches. For over three decades, it held the title of the World’s tallest structure, and it presently remains the tallest structure in the Western Hemisphere. It also is deemed the World’s highest wine cellar at 351 metres or 1,151 feet. The World’s tallest metal staircase is housed inside the base and is closed to the public except for an annual stair-walk charity event. Visitors would climb 1776 steps to the main deck and 2579 steps to reach the upper Sky Pod. It takes the average person 30 minutes to climb the staircase.
One further Guinness World Record that opened on November 8, 2011, is the CN Tower EdgeWalk. It is the World’s Highest External Walk on a Building. For those thrill-seekers who crave an attraction with a huge adrenaline rush, this is for you! Situated right above the 360 Restaurant, EdgeWalk takes you on a hands-free, open-air walk on and around the roof at the height of 356 metres (1,168 feet). An overhead rail system tethers guests for safety, and EdgeWalk must close during electrical storms, high winds, and winter. It is literally a breathtaking Toronto attraction like no other!
For over four decades, the CN Tower has attracted over two million visitors annually. It opened on June 26, 1976, at the cost of approximately sixty-three million dollars. It was built by the Canadian National Railway as a telecommunication tower and as an observation attraction. There are multiple levels, each offering a different experience, but they all have one thing in common; a spectacular view. First, there is the Lookout Level. A 58-second glass elevator ride brings you up 346 metres to a floor-to-ceiling glass-enclosed observation deck, including a new all-glass floor. It provides incredible far-reaching views of the City and now shows a new vertical view of 346 metres down. The entire glass Lookout Level includes access for everyone, even those who may have mobility issues, to experience the Tower.
SkyPod takes visitors 447 metres (1465 feet) high above the City. Another elevator ride from the Lookout level ascends 33 stories to one of the highest observation platforms in the world. If weather conditions are ideal, visibility can be up to 160 kilometres ( 100 miles) away as far as New York and Niagra Falls. SkyPod does require an extra ticket and does require climbing 12 stairs, making it accessible to only some visitors.
Are you looking for a one-of-a-kind experience that takes dining to a new level? Well, 360, The Restaurant at the CN Tower is just that place! The award-winning restaurant gives guests a 360-degree panoramic view at the height of 351 metres (1,151) while it revolves once every 72 minutes. At 360, Executive Chef John Morris takes pride in showcasing a Canadian culinary experience by sourcing the freshest local ingredients and wines. Try the fresh Atlantic Salmon Filet or the Alberta AAABeef Prime Rib Dinner and top it off with a mouth-watering dessert of Ontario Strawberry Mousse or the Dark Chocolate Tower Cake. With a mouth-watering market-fresh cuisine menu, it has been recognized with many awards, including the prestigious DiRoNA (Distinguished Restaurants of North America).
Yet another magical eye-catching attraction is the night lighting of the CN Tower. A new intelligent illumination system that is energy efficient provides awe-inspiring night lighting compete from the Tower’s base to nearly the top. The Tower offers fantastic nightly light shows that visitors can even view live on the website. Through an excellent, detailed lighting schedule, different illuminations celebrate and honor residents, the City, and Canada. Each time a Major League Toronto team reaches the playoffs, The CN Tower lights in the team colours during the first game of each series. In honour of a Canadian soldier who has made the ultimate sacrifice and is repatriated, the structural lighting is dimmed, and the CN Tower remains dark for five minutes at the top of each hour throughout that night. Special Lighting Requests have raised awareness for many charities.
There is the Le Cafe at the base of the Tower for hungry visitors on the go, which offers a wide variety of delicious market fare, including pizza, salads, sandwiches, fresh baked goods, gourmet teas, and freshly brewed coffee. A new addition is the Vue Bistros that offer fine Canadian food and beverages while taking panoramic views. No iconic landmark would be complete without a gift shop. The CN Tower offers over 8,000 square feet of unique and authentic Toronto giftware from local artisans and a massive selection of must-have Tower souvenirs. The Tower base has grown to include more retail, meeting, and event space and added a state-of-the-art high definition3DS theatre. The CN Tower is an internationally renowned Toronto landmark that is the number one tourist destination and offers visitors thrills like no other!
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