CN Tower, Toronto

CN Tower, Toronto (must see)

CN Tower is a concrete communications and observation tower situated in Toronto. Standing at an impressive height of 553.3 meters (1,815.3 feet), it was completed in 1976. The tower is prominently located in downtown Toronto, occupying the former Railway Lands. Its name, "CN," originates from Canadian National, the railway company responsible for its construction. When Canadian National decided to divest non-core freight railway assets before privatization in 1995, the tower was transferred to the Canada Lands Company, a federal Crown corporation responsible for the government's real estate portfolio.

For 32 years, from 1975 to 2007, the CN Tower held the distinction of being the world's tallest free-standing structure. It was surpassed by the Burj Khalifa and later the Canton Tower in 2009, relinquishing its title as the world's tallest tower. Nonetheless, it remains the tallest free-standing structure on land in the Western Hemisphere and currently ranks as the tenth-tallest free-standing structure globally. In 1995, the CN Tower was honored as one of the modern Seven Wonders of the World by the American Society of Civil Engineers. Additionally, it is a member of the World Federation of Great Towers.

The CN Tower has become an iconic symbol of Toronto's skyline, drawing over two million international visitors each year. Within its remarkable structure, visitors can explore various observation decks, dine at a revolving restaurant situated approximately 350 meters (1,150 feet) above the ground, and enjoy an entertainment complex.

Why You Should Visit:
Simply put one of the best views in North America. The city is so incredibly planned and laid out and you can truly see this from the top of the CN Tower.

Tip:
You can pay for a time slot to avoid a long wait and some extra to go to the upper levels where it's a bit quieter.
The food at the tower can be quite pricey, so plan accordingly.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Toronto. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

Download The GPSmyCity App

CN Tower on Map

Sight Name: CN Tower
Sight Location: Toronto, Canada (See walking tours in Toronto)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark

Walking Tours in Toronto, Canada

Create Your Own Walk in Toronto

Create Your Own Walk in Toronto

Creating your own self-guided walk in Toronto is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Toronto Introduction Walking Tour

Toronto Introduction Walking Tour

Sprawling on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario, the capital of the Canadian province of Ontario, Toronto, is a major metropolis renowned for its dynamic pace and high-rising skyline, incorporating both ultra-modern skyscrapers and historic architecture.

The area of present-day Toronto has been inhabited for thousands of years. Its first known settlers – the Wyandot (or Huron) people –...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.1 Km or 2.5 Miles
Distillery District Walking Tour

Distillery District Walking Tour

Toronto's Distillery District is a trendy neighborhood and an architectural treasure dating back to 1859. Once the largest distillery in the British Empire, today this former industrial complex is a National Historic Site of Canada and a unique pocket of Victorian-era architecture, featuring the continent's best-preserved collection of cobblestone pathways and historic buildings housing...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 0.8 Km or 0.5 Miles
Cabbagetown Walking Tour

Cabbagetown Walking Tour

Once a small community of Irish immigrants east of downtown and one of the poorest neighborhoods in Toronto, Cabbagetown is also one of the city's oldest districts, established in 1840. In 2004, it was declared a historic district and presently claims to be "the largest continuous area of preserved Victorian housing in North America". Attesting to this claim are the picturesque...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.8 Km or 1.1 Miles
Historical Buildings Walking Tour

Historical Buildings Walking Tour

Once an Anglo backwater, today's Toronto is the cultural and economic hub of English-speaking Canada. The city's architectural beauty is supplemented by its historical richness, with some of the buildings dating back as far as the late 18th century. This self-guided tour invites you to explore the most prominent structures making up the historic heritage of Toronto.

The Gooderham...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.6 Km or 1.6 Miles
Toronto Islands Walking Tour

Toronto Islands Walking Tour

The Toronto Islands, otherwise simply known as “the Islands,” are a chain of islands in Lake Ontario, just off the coast of downtown Toronto. They include three major islands (namely: Centre Island, Algonquin or Sunfish Island, and Olympic Island) and several smaller ones. Collectively they are a great natural retreat set in a peaceful and joyful environment, which, apart from the panoramic...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.3 Km or 2.1 Miles
Toronto's Waterfront Walking Tour

Toronto's Waterfront Walking Tour

It is more than obvious that the locals of Toronto, as well as visitors, cherish and admire the alluring views of Lake Ontario on the shores of which the city is located. Toronto's waterfront is one of the most picturesque places for walking, but it is also a great destination for those in search of entertainment.

At the heart of this waterfront area stands Queen's Quay Terminal, a...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.7 Km or 2.3 Miles

Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip


Traveler's Guide to Toronto: 15 Authentic Canadian Products to Bring Home

Traveler's Guide to Toronto: 15 Authentic Canadian Products to Bring Home

Toronto may well not be the whole Canada, but no Canada is whole without Toronto! By far too many things, quintessentially Canadian, associate with this bustling city, from Niagara Falls to Ice Hockey to... to mention but a few. To mention them all, check out the list of some not-to-be-missed...
The Epic Toronto Pub Crawl

The Epic Toronto Pub Crawl

There is no better way to see Toronto’s many different neighborhoods and get a literal taste of the Distillery District, the Esplanade, downtown, the Entertainment District and Yorkville. Plus you’ll learn a little about the bar and get its highlights at your fingertips so you’ll be in the...