CN Tower

Weekday mornings are the least crowded. For the best light, book a slot about an hour before sunset and stay to watch the city light up. Low cloud can hide everything; autumn and spring often bring the clearest air.

Buy timed General Admission tickets online for the time you want. Add The Top only on a clear day, and book EdgeWalk well in advance. Prices change, so check the official site before you go.

Queues for security and elevators peak from late morning to mid-afternoon, especially on summer weekends and holidays. Go at opening or in the evening. Dining at 360 has traditionally included observation-level access without the separate queue; confirm when you book.

Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada is at the tower’s base, and combination tickets for both attractions have been sold at a discount on the separate prices. Check the official site before you go for current bundles.

Children tend to love the Glass Floor and the elevator ride most. Strollers are fine inside, but the main levels can get crowded at peak times. Kids’ tickets are cheaper, and the youngest children have typically entered free; check the official site before you go.

360 Restaurant is the destination meal, with prices to match; book ahead. More casual options are at the tower’s base. Across Bremner Boulevard, Roundhouse Park has the Steam Whistle Brewery in a restored railway roundhouse.

Hotels in the Entertainment District and around Union Station are all within a short walk, and the hotel built into the Rogers Centre next door has rooms overlooking the stadium field.

Since 2007 the tower has been lit with LED lights inside the elevator shafts and up the mast, and it changes colour for holidays and causes. The best views of the tower itself are from the waterfront and the Toronto Islands.

The Glass Floor and the terrace are completely safe, but they can be intense for anyone with a fear of heights; the main level is fully enclosed. Outdoor areas and EdgeWalk close in high winds, lightning and bad weather.