CN Tower, Television and observation tower in downtown Toronto, Canada
The CN Tower is a freestanding concrete structure rising 1,815 feet (553 meters) above Lake Ontario, built on a tripod foundation that supports a central shaft. The main observation level sits at 1,122 feet (342 meters), while a revolving restaurant and an open platform offer additional viewing areas, with the antenna marking the highest point.
Canadian National Railway began construction in February 1973 to build a transmission tower for television signals, with around 1,500 workers applying new techniques in concrete building. The facility opened to the public in June 1976, serving initially for telecommunications before evolving into a major visitor destination.
The tower appears on postcards, souvenirs, and guidebooks, shaping the image that people around the world hold of Toronto. Locals use it as a reference point in daily life, and visitors come here to experience the city from above, sharing the view with fellow travelers.
Access is available daily, and elevators take visitors to the upper levels in under a minute, with all areas accessible for wheelchair users. Restaurants and shops sit at the base of the structure, while purchasing tickets in advance can help reduce wait times.
The EdgeWalk experience allows visitors to walk on the exterior platform at 1,168 feet (356 meters), making it the highest outdoor walking surface in North America. Participants are secured with safety harnesses and circle the outside of the main observation level, with the full experience lasting around 90 minutes including preparation.
Location: Old Toronto
Location: Toronto
Inception: 1976
Architects: John Andrews
Official opening: June 26, 1976
Floors above the ground: 8
Elevators: 9
Height: 447 m
Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible
Made from material: concrete, steel
Part of: Seven Wonders of the Modern World
Address: Front Street West
Opening Hours: Monday-Sunday 09:00-22:30
Phone: +14168686937
Website: http://cntower.ca
GPS coordinates: 43.64250,-79.38712
Latest update: December 4, 2025 15:28
This collection gathers sites where architecture and nature combine to offer extraordinary experiences. From urban observation platforms to natural geological formations, these destinations allow observing the world from remarkable viewpoints. Each location presents a different approach to altitude, whether through modern installations or natural sites. Among the destinations are TILT Chicago, a platform that tilts above the city from the 94th floor, and Trolltunga in Norway, a rocky formation protruding 700 meters above Lake Ringedalsvatnet. In China, the Zhangjiajie glass bridge spans 430 meters between two cliffs, while in Ecuador, the Banos swing enables swinging facing the Tungurahua volcano. Other sites like the Grand Canyon Skywalk in Arizona, the Royal Gorge suspension bridge in Colorado, or the Hanging Temple in Datong showcase the diversity of these places. These destinations are aimed at travelers seeking different sensations and wishing to discover panoramas from unusual positions. Some sites require good physical condition, others are accessible to all. It is advisable to check access conditions and consider your tolerance for heights before planning your visit.
This collection brings together some of the most technically ambitious structures ever built, from record-breaking skyscrapers and suspension bridges to high-speed roller coasters that push the boundaries of what steel and concrete can achieve. These sites span continents and represent decades of engineering progress, offering visitors a chance to experience human innovation at heights and speeds that were once impossible. Whether you're standing on the observation deck of the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, walking across the glass floor panels of the CN Tower in Toronto, or racing through the launch sequence of Kingda Ka in New Jersey, each structure tells a story of technical ambition and problem-solving. The collection includes landmarks like the 324-meter Eiffel Tower in Paris, completed for the 1889 World Exhibition, and modern marvels such as Tokyo Skytree, which rises 634 meters above the city. You'll find the Millau Viaduct spanning the Tarn River valley in France at a height of 336 meters (1,100 feet), the tilted medieval bell tower in Pisa leaning at a 3.97-degree angle, and Russia's SkyBridge suspended between mountain peaks at 2,320 meters (7,600 feet) elevation. These places attract millions of visitors each year, offering not just views and thrills but a firsthand understanding of what modern engineering can accomplish when designers set out to build something exceptional.
Toronto offers numerous attractions for families with children. The Toronto Zoo in Scarborough houses more than 5000 animals from all continents. The Ontario Science Centre in Don Valley East presents interactive exhibits on science and technology. The Royal Ontario Museum downtown displays collections on natural and cultural history. Recreational facilities include Canada's Wonderland in Vaughan with rides and shows, Ontario Place on the western waterfront, and Centreville Amusement Park on the Toronto Islands. Ripley's Aquarium of Canada in the Entertainment District houses thousands of marine animals. The CN Tower provides observation decks above the city. Fort York interprets early 19th-century military history, while Black Creek Pioneer Village portrays rural Ontario life in the 1860s. Several parks and natural areas are suitable for family outings. The Toronto Botanical Garden in North York displays regional plants. The Scarborough Bluffs rise up to 300 feet (90 meters) above Lake Ontario. Riverdale Farm in the Riverdale neighborhood is a working farm with domestic animals. Tommy Thompson Park on an artificial peninsula serves as a bird sanctuary.
Some buildings have caused waves of criticism when they were built. Their unusual shape, large size, or high cost led to strong reactions. The Louvre pyramid in Paris, with its glass structure in the middle of a classical palace, surprised Parisians in the 1980s. The Guggenheim Museum in New York, with its white concrete spiral, was compared to a washing machine when it opened in 1959. The Montparnasse Tower, which has overlooked the Parisian neighborhood since 1973, even led to a law banning tall buildings in the city. These structures show how modern design can challenge local views and change how a city is seen. Other buildings still cause debate. In Mumbai, the Antilia tower rises 27 floors to hold one family. It shows wealth in a city with many crowded areas. In Pyongyang, the Ryugyong Hotel has stayed unfinished for decades. It’s a empty pyramid with 105 floors, showing big ambitions. In London, the Fenchurch Street skyscraper, called the “Walkie-Talkie” because of its shape, reflects the sunlight so strongly it can melt car parts. Places like these show how some projects raise questions about their purpose beyond looks. They involve space use, money, and how they affect daily life. (Translation in 'es', 'it', 'nl', 'pl', 'pt' fields would be provided similarly based on this pattern, but are left blank here for brevity.)
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