TRAVEL GUIDE: A HOLIDAY JAUNT IN TORONTO: PART 2 (THE CN TOWER)

A couple of weeks ago, we got a chance to head up north to Toronto, Canada to visit relatives. Fortunately, although it was cold, it hadn’t yet begun to snow, and didn’t snow for the next five days we were there.

We hadn’t planned on much sightseeing while we were in Toronto since we didn’t want to drag the kids around in the chilly weather, but we did make it to The CN Tower.

We arrived around 3:30 pm when a break in the cloudy weather revealed beautiful blue skies. The CN Tower, or La Tour CN in French, loomed large over us.

Once inside the packed lobby, we waited in line for several minutes for tickets to go up into the tower. We were then directed through a hallway and into a large corridor overlooking the gift shop and showcasing various statues.

We continued on and were eventually ushered into a large elevator with other tourists. Once the doors closed, the elevator shot straight up over 1000 feet. The walls of the elevator were made of glass, which made for an interesting perspective as we continued to ascend.

We reached the observation deck and were treated to breathtaking views of downtown Toronto.

After taking lots of photos, we made our way to the Glass Floor, which is exactly what it sounds like. It’s a section of floor made of thick, reinforced glass that visitors can stand or lay down on, while having a view straight down of the buildings below.

I have to admit, I was a bit nervous at first to venture out onto the glass, while others around us were fearlessly walking around or laying down on it. My family members took turns sliding out onto the Glass Floor, and I eventually had the courage to stand on it myself (although I felt much better after seeing a sign saying the floor could support the weight of three killer whales).

After this, we spent time reading some random facts about the tower, which covered an entire wall. Until 2010, The CN Tower was the world’s tallest free-standing tower until the completion of the Burj Khalifa in Dubai. It is still the tallest free-standing structure in the Western Hemisphere.

We then made our way to an outdoor observation area surrounded by a metal mesh screen. Because it was so windy out there this high up, we didn’t spend much time out there, and taking pictures was also difficult because of the screen.

After we were finished taking photos in the tower, we decided to head out and take in the beautiful night views outside it.

Seriously, Canadians LOVE their Christmas trees! I must have seen at least four while we were in the tower, and the one above outside. It really lent a warm holiday atmosphere to the surroundings.

Visiting Toronto during the holidays was a unique way to spend time going somewhere for the first time, all while enjoying the contagious Christmas spirit.