Toronto has many attractions, but nothing defines its skyline quite like the CN Tower. Rising proudly at 553 meters, it has long been one of the tallest freestanding structures in the world and is counted among the Seven Wonders of the Modern World.
Many people don’t realise that CN originally stood for Canadian National. The tower was built in 1976 by the Canadian National Railway Company, both as a communications hub and as a symbol of Canadian engineering strength. Over time, the initials became the tower’s name itself — today it is simply known and loved as the CN Tower.
And this time, I decided to do it — with a little courage and a lot of curiosity.
The Journey to CN Tower
The CN Tower is just about a 25-minute walk from my son’s apartment. On a good day, I would have happily walked down, taking in the city streets. But with my meniscus injury, my doctors have been clear: preserve your knees. So, we booked a cab.
What should have been a quick ride stretched into 20 minutes of office-hour traffic. I didn’t mind — the city has its own rhythm, and watching Toronto roll by through the cab window was a story in itself.
We chose our timing carefully, arriving when we could enjoy both daylight and nighttime views. For a photography lover, that’s the golden ticket — two moods of the city in a single visit.
🎥 Watch This in Motion! Curious to see Toronto from the CN Tower in real life? Check out my video on YouTube: Ghummakad Diaries Watch the skyline, the glass floor, and day-to-night city views come alive!
The Main Observation Deck
Once the elevator whisked us up in a matter of seconds, I stepped into the main observation deck, 346 meters above the ground.
Through the floor-to-ceiling windows, Toronto stretched out like a living map. Roads looked like threads, cars like beads, and Lake Ontario like a sheet of polished glass shimmering in the distance. The view was vast and humbling.
As the day shifted to twilight, the city softened into gold, and when night arrived, Toronto glittered like a jewel box. Watching the skyline change its colors was worth every minute of waiting.
The Famous Glass Floor
The biggest test of my nerves came next: the glass floor. It is only a few panels, but stepping onto them is like stepping into thin air. Beneath my feet, I could see the city far, far below.
For someone who has always feared heights, this was a moment of triumph. My knees may be weak, but my resolve wasn’t. Standing there, looking down, I felt fear loosen its hold — not entirely, but enough to let me smile.
Tourist Tips and Ticket Prices (2025)
- Main Observation Level + Glass Floor: $45 (online advance) / $47 (same-day)
- The Top + General Admission (adds SkyPod): $57
- Priority Ticket (skip-the-line): $75
- Sea the Sky Package (CN Tower + Ripley’s Aquarium): Adults $79, Kids & Seniors $54.25
- EdgeWalk: $199 (for the truly daring — not me!)
- Toronto CityPASS (multi-attraction pass incl. CN Tower): Adults $129.96
💡 Tip: Always book tickets online in advance. It saves time, sometimes money, and ensures you don’t miss a slot.
Practical Details
- Location: Downtown Toronto, close to Union Station, easy by transit, car, or cab.
- Best Time to Visit: Sunset — you get daylight views, golden-hour glow, and sparkling city lights, all in one visit.
- Accessibility: Elevators are fast and wheelchair-friendly.
🏙️ Did You Know?
- The CN Tower was once the tallest freestanding structure in the world (1976–2007).
- Its glass floor can hold the weight of 35 moose — in case you doubted its strength!
- The tower’s LED lighting system can create over 16.7 million color combinations, often lit up for causes and celebrations.
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Mother-son duo taking on Toronto… well, from a safe height! CN = Canadian National Railway, the original builders.
My Takeaway
Did I conquer my fear of heights completely? No. But I did step onto that glass floor. I did look out over Toronto from 346 meters high. And in the process, I realized courage isn’t always about going the farthest — sometimes it’s just about taking one step more than you thought you could.
The CN Tower reminded me that the world looks different when you rise above it, even if just a little. And for me, that was enough.
✨ Fear is funny that way: even when you don’t rise to the very top, it teaches you something just by standing a little higher than before.
Neerja Bhatnagar
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