Sight guide · Toronto · Canada
Visiting CN Tower
At 553 metres, the CN Tower was the world's tallest free-standing structure for more than 30 years after it opened in 1976.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Dillan Payne, CC BY-SA 4.0
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Quick answer
CN Tower is a landmark in Entertainment District, Toronto. Allow 1.5–2 hours; it is mid-priced. Timed tickets bought online avoid the longest queues; EdgeWalk must be booked well ahead.
Key facts
- Type
- Landmark
- Area
- Entertainment District
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Book ahead
- Recommended
- Good for
- views, kids, after dark and photo spot
- Best months
- April–May and November
About CN Tower
At 553 metres, the CN Tower was the world's tallest free-standing structure for more than 30 years after it opened in 1976. Lifts reach the LookOut level, with its glass floor, in about a minute, and the SkyPod higher up looks across Lake Ontario. Thrill-seekers can book EdgeWalk, a harnessed walk around the outside ledge at 356 metres.
Tip: Go about an hour before sunset to see the city by day and lit up, and skip it on hazy or low-cloud days.
Plan your visit
- Time needed: 1.5–2 hours.
- Cost: Mid-priced.
- Book ahead: Timed tickets bought online avoid the longest queues; EdgeWalk must be booked well ahead.
- Where: Entertainment District, CN Tower, theatres and Union Station in the downtown core.
Best time to visit CN Tower
To avoid the biggest crowds, aim for the quietest of the good months:
- November: 8°C (46°F) highs, about 11 rainy days, quiet crowds.
- April: 12°C (54°F) highs, about 11 rainy days, moderate crowds.
- May: 18°C (64°F) highs, about 11 rainy days, moderate crowds.
For the view at golden hour: in mid-November the sun sets at about 16:53 local time (calculated for Toronto).
When to visit Toronto has the full month-by-month picture.
Fit it into your trip
Our 3-day Toronto itinerary visits CN Tower on day 1, together with Ripley's Aquarium of Canada, Royal Ontario Museum and Nathan Phillips Square.
- No. 1 of the 19 sights in our Toronto things-to-do list.
- Day 1 of the 1-day plan.
- Day 1 of the 2-day plan.
- Day 1 of the 4-day plan.
- Day 1 of the 5-day plan.
- Day 1 of the 7-day plan.
- A family favourite in Toronto with kids.
Near CN Tower
Also in Entertainment District, so you can walk between them:
- Ripley's Aquarium of Canada — 2–3 hours, mid-priced
If you like CN Tower
- Toronto Islands — Toronto Harbour, Half a day to a full day
- Nathan Phillips Square — Downtown, 30 minutes
- Scarborough Bluffs — Scarborough, 2–3 hours
Staying near CN Tower
Stay in Entertainment District ($$$) to walk here: CN Tower, theatres and Union Station in the downtown core. All areas to stay in Toronto.
Questions travellers ask
+How long do you need at CN Tower?
Plan 1.5–2 hours. With Ripley's Aquarium of Canada nearby, it fits a half-day in Entertainment District.
+Is CN Tower free?
No, it is mid-priced. Booking ahead is advised.
+When is the best time to visit CN Tower?
April–May and November, the quietest of the good months. Go about an hour before sunset to see the city by day and lit up, and skip it on hazy or low-cloud days.
+Do I need to book CN Tower in advance?
Timed tickets bought online avoid the longest queues; EdgeWalk must be booked well ahead.
+Is CN Tower good for kids?
Yes, it is one of our family picks in Toronto. Toronto is easy with children: the aquarium, the ROM's dinosaurs, the island ferries and Centreville amusement park, free animals in High Park and big parks make it simple to mix sights and play.