Las ^[1]t month, for the first time in my life, I went up an iconic attraction in the city of Toronto – the CN Tower ^[2].    I know it is kind of weird that in my 14 years living in Ontario and 43 years of my life I have never went up the famous tower and observed the landscape.

So on our wedding anniversary; we decided to go with the kids on top of it.   The kids were thrilled to experience this and I was delighted to finally have a chance to experience it.     Once our tickets were purchased (and I will expand on the price later), we entered the tower and waiting to go through an enhanced security system that makes you think of airports.   I guess that will all the terrorist attacks in the past it makes sense to have a top-notch system.

Our tickets gave us access to the glass floor   ^[3]and LookOut ^[4]section as well as the SkyPod ^[5].  Just before entering the tower, you will be asked to get your picture taken in front of a special screen.   At the end of the tour, you could decide to purchase it if you want to.  Mind you there is no obligations attached and you are not required to take the said picture.

The CN Tower was built in 1976 by the Canadian National Railways.   Its height is 1815 ft and 5 inches which makes it the world’s third tallest tower (in 2010 the Canton Tower in China was built at the height of 2000 ft and in 2012 the Tokyo Skytree in Japan reached 2080 ft).

The LookOut ^[4]will bring you at the height of 1136 ft.   It will allow you to view all around Toronto.  This was our first stop while in the CN Tower.   The kids enjoyed walking on the LookOut and see the places we had went a couple of week-ends ago.    However the opportunities of photographic images are a bit limited because there is a barrier between you and the side of the LookOut.    Nevertheless, the view is spectacular but I didn’t know what to expect of the SkyPod.

Before taking the elevator again to go even higher on the tower, we had to go see the Glass Floor ^[3].  The Glass Floor can be found at 1122 ft high and while standing on it you can see straight down.   It is made of 256 square feet of solid glass that is five times stronger than the required weight bearing standard for commercial floors.  Apparently it can actually withstand the weight of 14 large hippos.

While we were there a crazy bunch of teenagers were signing and jumping on it.    It was fun to see them doing so but I couldn’t help thinking what would happen is the floor would – shall I say it – break.   Fortunately, the staff at the CN Tower performs numerous tests each year on every single panel of the floor to ensure the safety of the visitors.   Here are some interesting facts about the glass floor:

Thickness is 2 ½ “
Size of each panel:  42” by 50”
There are 3/16”  of scuff plate which is replaced annually, two ½ “ layers of clear tempered glass laminated together, 1” layer of air for insulation and two ¼ “ layers of clear tempered glass laminated together.

My kids slowly warmed up to the opportunity of walking on it.  They crawled, they stood, they looked down, they walked on it and eventually they even jumped on it.   Again there is a photo booth giving you the opportunity to have a professional picture done at this place.  After spending some time on the glass floor, we went in the elevator which would bring us higher in the tower.

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The SkyPod ^[5]will bring you another 33 storeys high at the height of 1465 ft.    Visibility at this point is over one hundred miles and ^[9]on a clear day you could see Niagara Falls or Rochester, NY.  Up at the SkyPod you will have a 360 degree view of Toronto and its surrounding area including Lake Ontario.  The view was grandiose and the SkyPod is not as large as the LookOut.   It was breathtaking to see the landscape from so high in the sky.

The kids and I really enjoyed our time visiting the tower.  During our visit, my husband even pushed himself to conquer his fear of heights by walking on the Glass Floor.      I am so proud of him for making this experience even more unique for our family.   All the kids were encouraging him.  It took a while but he managed not only to walk on the floor but to look down and observe the view.    Way to go honey!

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Now if you are crazy enough to try the new attraction on the CN Tower; the Edge Walk.   ^[11]This attraction will let you experience a full circle hands-free walk on a 5 ft wide ledge encircling the top of the Tower’s main pod.   Literally, you will find yourself at 1168 ft (116 storeys) above the ground.   The walk itself last about 30 minutes and the price tag attached to this crazy attraction is 175$ CAD.   However, it also includes a keepsake video, photos and a certificate of achievement.   Participants also receive a Total Tower Experience which includes access to Look Out, Glass Floor, Sky Pod, Movie and Motion Theatre Ride.  The EdgeWalk is only available from May until October (except during electrical storms and high winds).

I must admit that the price tag attached to such an expedition is expensive – especially for a family of six people.   I am a bit disappointed that they didn’t have a family discount.   Honestly, it is beyond my understanding why they charge 24$ per adult and 16$ per children to go up the tower just to observe.    With the number of people going up this attraction I don’t see why they do not reduce the price.   Was it worth it?   Yes it was.  The view was breathtaking and fabulous.   We took a ton of pictures as well.   But for a large family, it is expensive.  At least if they had a family package it would be preferable.  The SkyPod access require an extra 10$ for each people in your group.

The CN Tower ^[2]is located in the heart of downtown Toronto at 301 Front St. West.   It is between the Rogers Centre and the Metro Toronto Convention Centre on Front Street.      The CN Tower ^[2]is an easy landmark to spot when you are downtown.   If you want to take breathtaking pictures, I would strongly suggest that you go up the tower.  You won’t be disappointed!

Note:  Isabelle and her family will have the CN Tower as a permanent landmark as they are moving to Toronto later this summer.

Last 5 posts by Canadianladybug

• Discover Ontario ^[18] - May 20th, 2013
• The Canadian Tulip Festival ^[19] - May 13th, 2013
• National Parks apps ^[20] - May 6th, 2013
• Victoria Day Week-end in Ontario ^[21] - April 30th, 2013
• Visiting Prince Edward County ^[22] - April 21st, 2013

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