Sunday, June 13, 2010

Tourists in Toronto: CN Tower

What's a tour of Toronto without a visit to the city's iconic landmark, the CN Tower? At 553 meters (1,815 feet) from the ground to the tip of its spire, the tower dominates the city's skyline and served as our orienting landmark whenever we were on the verge of getting lost. The main observation deck is 346 meters (1,135 feet) high and I'm not ashamed to admit that my stomach gave a lurch when we rode the glass elevator. Seeing the city drop away at 22 kilometers (15 miles) an hour can be unsettling.

CN Tower


The views (through very thick glass windows, of course) were well worth the slightly surprised tummy.

view of Toronto from the CN Tower
view of Toronto Islands from the CN Tower


The Look Out level is also great for a bird's eye view of the neighboring Rogers Centre, which almost everyone still calls the SkyDome.

view of the Rogers Centre or SkyDome from the CN Tower


One level down from the Look Out is the Outdoor Observation deck. The views are marred by a protective wire mesh but the wind at 342 meters is quite awesome. On the same level is the CN Tower's pièce de résistance: the Glass Floor. I almost didn't manage it—I couldn't look down and walk at the same time (hubby dear had no problem whatsoever and even tried to pull me until I threatened to make a scene). What I finally did was to stare hard at the thankfully solid wall, walk to the middle of the glass floor, stop, then look down. And here's the proof!

Exie and Hilda's feet on the glass floor of the CN Tower