CN Tower Toronto

By alantvuong on August 10, 2021

After previously visiting Toronto in 2009 and 2016 and visiting Canada’s National Tower both visits, I wondered if it would be worth visiting again. I previously wrote about my visit in 2016 as part of checking out Toronto’s top attractions with Destination Toronto.

After meeting up with another friend, my travel buddy and I planned on going to the beach for the day but with the weather starting to rain heavily, we needed an indoor activity. My travel buddy never been to the CN Tower so we all agreed it will be worth visiting again as it has been a few years for the other 2 of us since we last visited.

Getting There

The CN Tower is located right in the heart of downtown Toronto right between the Rogers Centre and the Metro Toronto Convention Centre on Front Street. Since, the CN Tower is so tall, all we had to do was look up and just head towards the tower. It was only about a half hour walk from our our hotel The Chelsea Hotel, but we were coming from dim sum in Chinatown.

This also took us a half hour to get to the CN Tower. This iconic building can literally be seen almost anywhere from downtown making it a great reference point in figuring out where you are.

About the CN Tower

The CN Tower is over 550 meters (1800 feet) high. It opened in 1976 and was the tallest tower in the world until the Burj Khalifa took over that title in 2010. I have been to both towers and was wowed by both of them. The CN Tower is declared as one of the modern Seven Wonders of the World. Since covid, timed tickets are bought in advance, but since it was raining really bad, staff members just quickly helped us get inside.

at the entrance

Tickets are now $40 plus tax and they allow wheelchair guests to have a free companion ticket if they have Access2 card. Once in, we get to learn some facts and history of the tower and how it was constructed. Professional photographers also take pics of us in front of a green screen in hopes of us buying expensive prints later.

learning about the CN Tower

Observation Deck

1 minute elevator ride to the top

It takes about a minute to go up the elevator to get to the observation deck. We were reminded that we had to keep our masks on for the entire visit. What I really like about the CN Tower is the floor to ceiling full size glass windows. This makes it easier for wheelchair visitors to see out the windows. I have been to other towers where there is a wall or heater blocking the bottom portion of the windows. This really blocks the view and makes the experience less enjoyable.

full size windows make it easier to see outside

The three of us had fun taking a bunch of pictures of the views and liking how it’s not as busy as it usually is pre covid. I remember 5 years prior, everyone was trying to crowd around on the glass floor and taking a bunch of photos in different poses. Luckily with limited attendance, we had enough space and time to do what we want at our own pace.

view of the city

glass floor

Extras

There was a revolving restaurant at the CN Tower which we did not visit. There was also an outside area on the same floor as the observation deck where we can visit. This whole section is caged but open for guests to feel the air and how windy it can really be being so high up in the air. We all thought it was quite cold and windy so we did not stay long here.

outside viewing area

The Skypod is an extra observation deck that goes even higher. It requires an additional ticket ($15) to visit and is accessible by elevator, but only the first level of the Skypod is wheelchair accessible. We all decided to skip the extra addition. For extreme adventurists, people can do the EdgeWalk (tickets starting at $195). In groups of six, people walk outside on a ledge 356 meters (1168 feet) high while attached to a harness. This is wheelchair accessible but you need upper body strength to do this attraction.

gift shop

All 3 of us had a great time visiting the CN Tower and it was a great hour to spend indoor while it was raining outside. Prices are a bit high to visit but if you buy this bundled with other attractions, you could save some money. Also with a special disabled card, companions do get a free ticket. I would definitely visit again but probably would try it at night to get a different perspective.