In May and June 2023, we travelled from east to west across Canada. From Halifax in Nova Scotia to Montreal in Quebec, to Toronto in Ontario, to Vancouver and Whistler in British Columbia. Along the way some night trains and commuter trains, the Niagara Falls and – imagine this – a bus journey. A true Trans-Canada Train Trek.

I have known about the CN Tower since I was a child. The tower features in a book about the Seven Wonders of the World and their present-day (well, in the 90s) equivalent. So, being in Toronto, I wanted to go up this phallus. 

The CN Tower is an iconic landmark in Toronto. It is a communications and observation tower that stands at a height of 553.3 meters (1,815 feet), making it one of the tallest freestanding structures in the world. It’s quite unavoidable in the city. 

Construction of the CN Tower began in 1973 and was completed in 1976. It was originally built by the Canadian National Railway (CN) to serve as a telecommunications tower, but it quickly became a symbol of Toronto and a major tourist attraction.

The CN Tower offers various attractions and features. The main observation deck, known as the LookOut Level, provides panoramic views of the city and surrounding areas. Visitors can also enjoy a rotating restaurant called 360 Restaurant, located at a height of 351 meters (1,151 feet), offering diners a complete view of Toronto as they enjoy their meal.

For the more adventurous visitors, there is the EdgeWalk experience, where participants can walk along a 1.5-meter-wide ledge that encircles the outside of the tower, 356 meters (1,168 feet) above the ground.

The CN Tower has become an iconic symbol of Toronto and is visited by millions of tourists each year. It is not only an impressive engineering feat but also a significant cultural and architectural landmark in Canada.

A visit

Sam, Danny and I bought tickets for the LookOut Level and the SkyPod, just above. The price difference wasn’t that much. And let’s face, we will – most probably – not do the CN Tower again. 

It wasn’t too crowded so we didn’t have to wait long for an elevator. The tower is designed yo cope with big crowds though. 

A visit of a high tower gives you what you expect: interesting views of the surroundings. Being able to observe Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (YTZ) is a plus.

So, should you pay the entry fee? Actually yes. The CN Tower is thé landmark of Toronto. Don’t avoid it. 

2023 Trans-Canada Train Trek

1. REVIEW | Brussels Airlines Brussels to Munich in Economy.
2. REVIEW | Lufthansa Premium Economy Munich to Montreal.
3. REVIEW | Air Canada Economy Montreal to Halifax.
4. Flying Brussels Airlines, Lufthansa and Air Canada Brussels – Munich – Montreal – Halifax in minimal economy.
5. HALIFAX | Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21.
6. REVIEW | The Westin Nova Scotian Halifax.
7. NOVA SCOTIA | Sampling Halifax.
8. REVIEW | VIA Rail Canada night train 15 ‘The Ocean’ from Halifax to Montreal.
9. QUEBEC | Meandering Montreal.
10. REVIEW | InterContinental Montreal.
11. FORMULA 1 CANADIAN GRAND PRIX | Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, Montreal track walk.
12. MONTREAL | Dining solo at Monarque felt like being part of a tv show.
13. MONTREAL | Exporail – Canadian Railway Museum in Saint-Constant.
14. REVIEW | VIA Rail train Montreal to Toronto in business class.
15. ONTARIO | Touring Toronto.
16. REVIEW | Little Canada museum in Toronto.