CN Tower, Television and observation tower in downtown Toronto, Canada
The CN Tower is a 553.3-metre communications and observation tower in downtown Toronto, near Lake Ontario. Its hexagonal concrete shaft rises from a wide base to a round, multi-tiered pod with a white lower ring, dark glazing and a thin red band, topped by a slender antenna. The main observation level is at 342 metres, with a revolving restaurant and the higher SkyPod at 446.5 metres.
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.
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