TRAVELOGUE: Unforgettable visit to CN Tower in Toronto, Ontario
Tunde Rahman, who recently visited the CN Tower during a brief trip to Toronto, Ontario in Canada, narrates his breath-taking experience
Visiting the CN Tower in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere and one of the tallest free-standing structures in the world after the breath-taking Burj Khalifa in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, was not really in my thought as I left Nigeria on May 1, 2025. Though unplanned and a spontaneous change in schedule during the short visit to Toronto, the tour of CN Tower will remain indelible in my memory. The trip to Toronto itself came by happenstance. I had travelled to the United States to attend this year OTC (Offshore Technology Conference) in Houston, Texas when on the spur of the moment, I decided to briefly touch Canada. I had been toying with the idea of visiting that country for more than two years now after I procured the entry visa. In Houston Texas, I learnt I was just three hours away by air. Therefore, I decided to give it a shot on Monday, May 5. I’m glad I did.
Within just two days in Toronto, I have had an eye full, salvouring the rich splendour of the tourist points in the country. The tourist points and other places we visited are simply out of this world. Among the tourist spots I visited along with my hosts in the country were the Niagara Falls, Arts Gallery and CF Toronto Eaton Centre Mall. Niagara Falls, that group of three waterfalls located on the border between the US State of New York and the Canadian Province of Ontario, is a sight to behold. However, it was the CN Tower that really caught my interest because of its horrendous height and sheer magnificence. The CN Tower is 553.3 metres high, which is approximately 1,815.3 feet.
Parading 114 floors, the CN Tower is overlooking Lake Ontario. Originally built as a communications and observation tower, the CN Tower has since become a tourist attraction. This wondrous tower is a signature icon of Toronto’s skyline. It is said to attract more than two million international visitors annually. Completed in 1976, it is located in downtown Toronto. According to Wikipedia, its name “CN” referred to Canadian National, the railway company that built the tower on its lands. This tower, it was learnt, held the record for the world’s tallest free-standing structure for 32 years, from 1975 until 2007, when the Burj Khalifa surpassed it. It was also the world’s tallest tower until 2009 when the Canton Tower overtook it. It is currently the 10th-tallest free-standing structure in the world and remains the tallest free-standing structure on land in the Western Hemisphere. In 1995, the American Society of Civil Engineers listed CN Tower as one of the modern Seven Wonders of the World. It also belongs in the World Federation of Great Towers. There are still some offices and satellite equipment in this tower. Going round the topmost floor (Floor 114) of this imposing structure is breathtaking. If you have a phobia for heights, please don’t visit Floor 114. Floor 114, which is the main observation level, gives one the opportunity of having a full glimpse of the Toronto landscape. From here, one can view the Rogers Centre that houses the telecommunications network. The centre is where life concerts, sports and entertainment events and all sorts of activities take place. Not too far away is also the popular BMO Stadium.
It was at Floor 114 that this writer encountered Hannah, the lift operator and tour guide, who happens to be a Nigerian from Gbongan, a town in my Osun home-state. Conducting us round this awesome floor, middle-aged Hannah was a delight to listen to. Hannah told us she had been in Canada for like a year now and plans to return home when her two kids are fully settled in that country. She also regaled us with the history of the tower and the dreadful floors. According to her, from Floor 113, the entire place used to be all glass, but it was later changed to some glass covered parts and a few glass overview beginning from last summer. CN Tower parades 360 Restaurant, a revolving restaurant at some 350 metres (1,150 feet), and an entertainment complex. This restaurant is reputed for fine food and dining, and we had a taste of this delicious offering. We were told that from next month, June, during the full arrival of summer around June, July, there will be boat carnival and boat cruise on Lake Ontario during which the entire place will witness a beehive of activities with traffic and lots of people on the roads.
During the short trip, we also visited the Arts Gallery of Ontario. Here we read on the wall the story of Tim Whiten, born 1941 in Michigan, United States. Whiten has explored the parameters of the human condition through arts installation and performance. With the cultural objects he creates, he invites viewers to approach his work through their own experiences. The Eaton Centre Mall, also located in downtown Toronto, is reputed to be the most visited shopping mall in North America. By this time, night had fully crept in. This gave us ample opportunity to glimpse downtown Toronto at night which is awesome. It was at this Eaton Mall that we spent the better part of the night, returning to the hotel, Delta Hotel by Marriot, Toronto Markham, around midnight. Indeed, saying I had a swell time during my first trip to Toronto is an understatement. The entire two days were awash with impressive moments. That trip, no doubt, will remain one to remember for a long time to come.
Rahman is Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Special Duties.
