×

Canada🇨🇦 | attractionsCN TowerGlass floor, 346-meter deck, EdgeWalk, revolving dining | things to do and best time to go

Explore Banff Upper Hot SpringsExplore Casa Loma

Backpacking in CN Tower
🏆 Top pickattraction ranked #1
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 22, 2026

The elevator doors slide shut and your ears pop before you can finish reading the placard about the glass floor. I had walked in from Union Station along the elevated SkyWalk, a long fluorescent tunnel where commuters' wheeled bags rattled over the floor and a busker's saxophone echoed off the ceiling, and that rattle faded the moment the lift began to climb. CN Tower stands in downtown Toronto, in Canada's most populous city, just south of the rail corridor and beside Rogers Centre. It is pricey, and the lines at midday in summer can run an hour or more. The reward is the 360 Restaurant's revolving floor, the glass panels at 342 meters (1,122 feet) that make your knees register what your eyes refuse, and Lake Ontario spread flat and pale to the horizon. Compared with the free skyline view from the Toronto Islands ferry, this one costs real money but puts you inside the picture.

Discover everything you want to know in the 📖 Canada Travel Guide.


example page 0 from our offline Travel Guide for Canada
example page 1 from our offline Travel Guide for Canada
example page 2 from our offline Travel Guide for Canada
example page 3 from our offline Travel Guide for Canada
example page 4 from our offline Travel Guide for Canada
example page 5 from our offline Travel Guide for Canada
example page 6 from our offline Travel Guide for Canada
example page 7 from our offline Travel Guide for Canada
Loading the map 🌍
CLICK TO FILTER
cities
towns
villages
landmarks
national parks
hikes
beaches
attractions
festivals
regions
SHOW COUNTRY’S BESTSHOW ALL

✨ Why go?
Ranked #1 attraction in CanadaReasons people choose to visit here

CN Tower is the thing Toronto is recognized by, and for decades it was the tallest freestanding structure on Earth at 553.3 meters (1,815 feet). Standing under it, craning your neck at the concrete shaft, you understand why people argue about whether the price is fair: nothing else in the country lets you look straight down on a major city's whole grid, its rail yards, the Gardiner Expressway and the waterfront in one sweep.
The second reason is nerve. The EdgeWalk, a hands-free stroll around the roof of the main pod at 356 meters (1,168 feet), is the highest full-circle hands-free walk of its kind in the world. You are clipped to an overhead rail and told to lean back over the drop. If you have been collecting adrenaline across the country, this is the urban version.
Finally, it works as a … read more 👉
CN Tower is the thing Toronto is recognized by, and for decades it was the tallest freestanding structure on Earth at 553.3 meters (1,815 feet). Standing under it, craning your neck at the concrete shaft, you understand why people argue about whether the price is fair: nothing else in the country lets you look straight down on a major city's whole grid, its rail yards, the Gardiner Expressway and the waterfront in one sweep.
The second reason is nerve. The EdgeWalk, a hands-free stroll around the roof of the main pod at 356 meters (1,168 feet), is the highest full-circle hands-free walk of its kind in the world. You are clipped to an overhead rail and told to lean back over the drop. If you have been collecting adrenaline across the country, this is the urban version.
Finally, it works as a milestone. Many people arrive in Toronto and leave for Niagara Falls or Ottawa the next day, so a clear morning here helps you read the geography: the lake to the south, the Islands just offshore, and the neighborhoods you can then choose to walk through.

💡 HighlightsTop highlights of CN Tower

  1. Main Observation Level: The classic stop at 346 meters (1,135 feet), with floor-to-ceiling windows, a ring of identified landmarks and the lake stretching toward the haze on the horizon. Admission starts around US$45 to 50.
  2. Glass Floor: Panels a few steps from the elevator exit, 342 meters (1,122 feet) above the ground and strong enough to hold several elephants. Most people crawl on their hands first, then lie down for the photo looking straight at the rail tracks below.
  3. EdgeWalk: The hands-free walk on a 1.5-meter (5-foot) ledge circling the roof of the main pod at 356 meters (1,168 feet). Groups are harnessed and guided, and you lean out over nothing. It costs about US$140 to 165, and there are no cameras of your own, though staff take photos.
  4. SkyPod: The smaller upper level, at 447 meters
… read more 👉
  1. Main Observation Level: The classic stop at 346 meters (1,135 feet), with floor-to-ceiling windows, a ring of identified landmarks and the lake stretching toward the haze on the horizon. Admission starts around US$45 to 50.
  2. Glass Floor: Panels a few steps from the elevator exit, 342 meters (1,122 feet) above the ground and strong enough to hold several elephants. Most people crawl on their hands first, then lie down for the photo looking straight at the rail tracks below.
  3. EdgeWalk: The hands-free walk on a 1.5-meter (5-foot) ledge circling the roof of the main pod at 356 meters (1,168 feet). Groups are harnessed and guided, and you lean out over nothing. It costs about US$140 to 165, and there are no cameras of your own, though staff take photos.
  4. SkyPod: The smaller upper level, at 447 meters (1,465 feet), reached by a second elevator for an added fee. Fewer people, quieter, and the lake looks even flatter from here.
  5. 360 Restaurant: A revolving dining room at 351 meters (1,151 feet) that makes one full turn about every 72 minutes. Pricey, but the fee covers the tower entry, and you get a table by the window.
  6. Glass-fronted elevators: The ride up takes under a minute at about 22 kilometers per hour (15 mph), and the outside-facing glass lets you watch the ground shrink. The ears-popping bit is part of the show.
  7. Evening light show: After dark the tower is lit by LEDs that change color for holidays and events, easy to see from the harbor and the Rogers Centre side.
Allow about two to three hours for the whole visit, including the elevator line, and closer to four with a meal or the EdgeWalk.
Spotted a mistake or missing something? Contact us.

Things to do around CN Tower

Private Transfer Toronto Pearson Airport To Toronto Hotels/Airbnb

Private Transfer Toronto Pearson Airport To Toronto Hotels/Airbnb

5.0(66) 1h
From €40
per personViator
St. Clair West and Casa Loma Food and Walking Experience

St. Clair West and Casa Loma Food and Walking Experience

5.0(37) 3h 30m
From €95
per personViator
Guided Bicycle Tour - Toronto Waterfront, Island and Distillery

Guided Bicycle Tour - Toronto Waterfront, Island and Distillery

5.0(33) 3h 15m
From €80
per personViator
Private Toronto Airport Transfer Service to City centre Toronto

Private Toronto Airport Transfer Service to City centre Toronto

5.0(32)
From €144
per personViator
Niagara Falls in Spanish

Niagara Falls in Spanish

5.0(25)
From €831
per personViator
Exploring The Heart of Downtown Toronto

Exploring The Heart of Downtown Toronto

5.0(21) 2h 30m
From €12.85
per personViator
Customizable Walking Tour of Toronto's Hidden Gems

Customizable Walking Tour of Toronto's Hidden Gems

5.0(19) 3h
From €32
per personViator
Niagara Waterfall Adventure

Niagara Waterfall Adventure

5.0(17) 11h
From €115
per personViator
Riverside and Leslieville Food and Walking Experience

Riverside and Leslieville Food and Walking Experience

5.0(16) 3h 30m
From €95
per personViator
Niagara Falls Day Tour from Toronto: Cruise & Behind Falls

Niagara Falls Day Tour from Toronto: Cruise & Behind Falls

5.0(16) 9h
From €70
per personViator

Ratings based on Tripadvisor reviews. When you book through this link, you support our work at no extra cost to you.

🌤️ When to go?Weather, crowds, and seasonal trade-offs

  • Summer (June to August): Highs run 24 to 28°C (75 to 82°F), with daylight past 9 pm in June. Views are clearest on dry days, but lines for the main elevator peak midday and on weekends, and hotel rates in Toronto climb.
  • Fall (September to October): Temperatures sit at 10 to 20°C (50 to 68°F), crowds thin after Labour Day, and hazy summer humidity gives way to crisp visibility. Foliage color in the ravines below the skyline peaks in October.
  • Winter (December to February): Expect -8 to 0°C (18 to 32°F) and daylight of roughly 9 hours. Queues are shortest and prices lowest, though low cloud or snow can hide the view entirely.
  • Spring (April to May): Cool, 5 to 17°C (41 to 63°F), with frequent drizzle. Fog can close off the observation levels, but weekdays are quiet.
Book a timed ticket for a weekday … read more 👉
  • Summer (June to August): Highs run 24 to 28°C (75 to 82°F), with daylight past 9 pm in June. Views are clearest on dry days, but lines for the main elevator peak midday and on weekends, and hotel rates in Toronto climb.
  • Fall (September to October): Temperatures sit at 10 to 20°C (50 to 68°F), crowds thin after Labour Day, and hazy summer humidity gives way to crisp visibility. Foliage color in the ravines below the skyline peaks in October.
  • Winter (December to February): Expect -8 to 0°C (18 to 32°F) and daylight of roughly 9 hours. Queues are shortest and prices lowest, though low cloud or snow can hide the view entirely.
  • Spring (April to May): Cool, 5 to 17°C (41 to 63°F), with frequent drizzle. Fog can close off the observation levels, but weekdays are quiet.
Book a timed ticket for a weekday morning or the hour before dusk, and check the live webcam before you go up.


source: climatestotravel.comJANJanuary: below average for travelingFEBFebruary: below average for travelingMARMarch: good for travelingAPRApril: highly recommended for travelingMAYMay: highly recommended for travelingJUNJune: excellent for travelingJULJuly: excellent for travelingAUGAugust: excellent for travelingSEPSeptember: highly recommended for travelingOCTOctober: highly recommended for travelingNOVNovember: fair for travelingDECDecember: below average for traveling
when-to-go

✈️ The backpacker research shortcutCanada Travel Guide

An offline-friendly backpacking guide with optimized travel routes, ranked highlights, transport advice, and the best areas to stay.
example page 0 from our offline Travel Guide for Canada
example page 1 from our offline Travel Guide for Canada
example page 2 from our offline Travel Guide for Canada
example page 3 from our offline Travel Guide for Canada
example page 4 from our offline Travel Guide for Canada
example page 5 from our offline Travel Guide for Canada
example page 6 from our offline Travel Guide for Canada
example page 7 from our offline Travel Guide for Canada
The digital guide (385 pages) contains:
✅ 125 highlights, ranked by travel appeal
✅ Optimized 14, 21 & 30-day travel routes
✅ Cities, national parks, landmarks, beaches
✅ How to get around
✅ Offline-friendly for travel without Wi-Fi
👉 Click to see all 30+ guide features

📅 Plan smarter in minutes, not weeks
✅ Month by month travel advice
✅ Festivals & national holidays
✅ Budget expectations

🗺️ Go to the right places, skip the overrated ones
✅ Honest pros & cons of destinations
✅ Top hikes, parks & viewpoints
✅ Lesser-known places most travelers miss
✅ Clear “worth it vs skip it” guidance

🛏️ Travel smoothly without rookie mistakes
✅ Best areas to stay
✅ Transport systems explained simply
✅ Common scams & safety advice
✅ SIM cards, money & practical tips

🌍 Understand the country, not just visit it
✅ Culture & traditions
✅ Local customs
✅ Festivals worth planning around
✅ Traveler-friendly historical context
✅ Insights that make places more meaningful

📱 Built for real travel conditions
✅ Fully downloadable PDF
✅ Works completely offline
✅ Optimized for phone use
✅ Useful in remote areas & buses
✅ Everything in one place
Stop searching, start planning
Get instant access to your full guide. 30‑day money-back guarantee.
+ Add another guide for just

By proceeding you agree to our terms.
Sent to your inbox immediately after payment • 100% Secure Checkout
Best Backpacking Travel Advisor 2025 tourism awardBest Backpacking
Travel Advisor
2025
What others say about Take Your Backpack Guides:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Fantastic, amazing amount of information!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
My goodness this is amazing, it's what I've been looking for hats off too you!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I think this is absolutely BRILLIANT
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Very complete and informative. It's still missing places, but I gotta to commend you
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is truly amazing, thank you, can't wait to explore it with my kids!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Awesome resource, thank you!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is amazing! Can't wait to explore the ones I haven't seen
⭐⭐⭐⭐
I love this! Well done, great idea.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Thanks for taking the time to make this gem!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This might be the best website I've ever seen.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Congratulations, and thank you so much for your work; it's incredibly valuable.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
In all seriousness I think you did a great job pointing out the important spots
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
10/10 very good
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
As someone who's only just starting to visit regularly this is awesome, thank you.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Thank you very much! I'm going to visit my dad, it's going to be very useful!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is really cool! We'll be travelling for the first time and this definitely come in handy.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
You are now our minister of culture, congratulations 👨‍💼
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Just wanted to tell you that this is a pearl! Going to follow your recommendations.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is so cool. I'll definitely be using the resource for my travels soon.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is very impressive! Good work.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is an amazing and informative site. Very well done!

🛏️ Where to stay?How to pick the right area

Stay in the Entertainment District or King West if you want to walk to CN Tower in under 10 minutes. Both areas put you beside Union Station, which matters because the airport train and regional buses all land there, and a late arrival means a short, well-lit walk. Weekend nights get loud on King and Queen West with clubs and bar crowds, so pick a dorm away from the main strip if you sleep lightly.

Downtown East, around the St. Lawrence Market and Yonge-Dundas Square, is another solid base. It is a 15 to 20 minute walk or a short streetcar ride to the tower, and it has the densest cluster of … read more 👉
Stay in the Entertainment District or King West if you want to walk to CN Tower in under 10 minutes. Both areas put you beside Union Station, which matters because the airport train and regional buses all land there, and a late arrival means a short, well-lit walk. Weekend nights get loud on King and Queen West with clubs and bar crowds, so pick a dorm away from the main strip if you sleep lightly.

Downtown East, around the St. Lawrence Market and Yonge-Dundas Square, is another solid base. It is a 15 to 20 minute walk or a short streetcar ride to the tower, and it has the densest cluster of cheap eats and hostel-style beds in the center. Dundas Square is busy and safe at most hours, though side streets east of Yonge feel rougher after dark.

Kensington Market and Chinatown, a 20 minute walk or a quick streetcar west, suit travelers who want cafes, vintage shops, and a social, younger crowd. Dorms here are often in converted houses and attract long-stay backpackers. The Annex, near the university, is calmer and good for solo travelers who want quiet streets and subway access. Book early for summer, since dorm beds near the waterfront fill up weeks ahead.
Best hostels in Canada


Best quality hotels in Canada

👛 Costs (as of 22 October 2026)Typical daily expenses

Expect to spend about US$138 to 193 a day around CN Tower, with the main ticket the biggest single item.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
General admissionUS$30 to 45Covers the main indoor and outdoor observation levels. Online booking is usually cheaper than the door and lets you pick a time slot.
Add-onsUS$0 to 25The Glass Floor is included. The SkyPod level costs extra, and the EdgeWalk, a hands-free walk around the roof, costs about US$140 or more, so most backpackers skip it.
Dorm bed (high season)US$40 to 65Downtown hostel dorms jump in July and August. Winter rates drop to roughly US$30 to 45.
FoodUS$20 to 35Food courts and Chinatown counters cost US$8 to 14 a meal. The tower restaurant is pricey and aimed at special occasions.
Local transportUS$3 to 8A single TTC ride is about US$2.30.
… read more 👉
Expect to spend about US$138 to 193 a day around CN Tower, with the main ticket the biggest single item.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
General admissionUS$30 to 45Covers the main indoor and outdoor observation levels. Online booking is usually cheaper than the door and lets you pick a time slot.
Add-onsUS$0 to 25The Glass Floor is included. The SkyPod level costs extra, and the EdgeWalk, a hands-free walk around the roof, costs about US$140 or more, so most backpackers skip it.
Dorm bed (high season)US$40 to 65Downtown hostel dorms jump in July and August. Winter rates drop to roughly US$30 to 45.
FoodUS$20 to 35Food courts and Chinatown counters cost US$8 to 14 a meal. The tower restaurant is pricey and aimed at special occasions.
Local transportUS$3 to 8A single TTC ride is about US$2.30. The tower is a short walk from Union Station, and daily fare capping applies.
ExtrasUS$5 to 15Coffee, snacks, or a ferry to the Toronto Islands for a skyline view. Tipping of 15 to 20 percent is standard in sit-down restaurants.
Total Daily BudgetUS$138 to 193Based on one ticket, a dorm bed, food, and transport in high season.
⚠️ Prices can change and everyone travels differently, so take this as a rough guide. Hope it helps you plan your adventure!

FAQTraveler FAQ

Plan on 1.5 to 2 hours at CN Tower, including security, the elevator ride of about 58 seconds, and time on the Glass Floor and outdoor deck. Add another 30 to 60 minutes if you visit at midday in summer, when queues build. Pair it with Ripley’s Aquarium and Rogers Centre next door for a half-day plan.
For most first-time visitors, CN Tower is worth the roughly US$30 to 45 ticket, mainly for the 346 meter (1,136 foot) observation level and the Glass Floor. Clear days give views across Lake Ontario and the Toronto Islands, while foggy or rainy days are poor value. Check the weather and book online for a discount, or look at the free skyline views from the Toronto Islands ferry if the budget is tight.
Take the subway to Union Station, then follow the elevated SkyWalk, about a 10 minute walk, to the base of CN Tower. From Pearson Airport, the UP Express train reaches Union in around 25 minutes for about US$9 to 10, or you can use the 192 bus and subway for roughly US$2.30. Streetcars along King and Spadina also stop within a few blocks.
⚠️ Things can change over time, so always validate details locally before you go.

Other Canadian attractions near CN Tower

Explore more nearby:


💡 Not sure where to go next?
Create a personalized itinerary for Canada including CN Tower and the places that fit your trip.

Generate my itinerary

👉 Discover all attractions

Or checkout all Canada has to offer (think cities, towns, villages, national parks, hikes, beaches, festivals)
Explore Canada
Country photo of Canada
© Google Images

We 💚 feedbackSumming up the experience

CN Tower is best on a clear weekday morning right at opening, when the line is short and the low sun lights the lake from the east. I would book a timed ticket online, skip the revolving dinner unless someone else is paying, and save the EdgeWalk for a calm, dry day.

✈️ When did I visit Canada?
As part of my 1.5 year travel around the world trip, I visited Canada in 2016.

✍️ Help improve this page!
The information on this page is based on my own backpacking experience in Canada, supplemented with up-to-date research and feedback from other travelers. Travel details can change, so if you notice anything outdated or incomplete, feel free to let me know.



🙋‍♂️ Give feedback

👋 Meet the founderWho’s Behind Take Your Backpack?

Johan, backpacker and founder of TakeYourBackpackHi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past 3 decades, I’ve backpacked through 90+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.

This site is built on a combination of firsthand travel experience and carefully curated insights from other backpackers. Many guides are based on places I’ve personally visited, while others bring together tips, observations, and practical advice shared by trusted travelers I’ve met along the way.

The goal is to provide realistic, experience-driven guidance — not generic itineraries — so you can explore destinations with better context, clearer expectations, and more confidence.

Read the full story