TORONTO CN TOWER

When the CN Tower was built in 1975 at a cost of $333 million 2025 dollars, to a height of 1815 feet, it was the tallest free-standing structure for 32 years. when in  2007, the Dubai Burj Khalifa was completed.  CN T remained as the world's tallest tower until 2009 until it was surpassed by the Canton Tower, and is now #10.  To the right. the Burj Khalifa, CN Tower and Willis Tower (Chicago).  CN T is the signature icon of Toronto's skyline, and draws 2 million international visitors/year.

• The CN stands for Canadian National, the railway that built the structure;
• When opened in 1976, there were three observation points:  The Top at 1,467 feet, the Main Observation Level at 1,135 feet, and the Terrace, the one with the glass floor, at 1,122 feet.
• One floor above the Observation Level is 360 The Restaurant at the CNTower, which completes a complete rotation every 72 minutes.
• In 1995 was named by the American Society of Civil Engineers as one of the modern Seven Wonders of the World.
• Was closed during much of the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Some interesting facts about the CN Tower.

• We go on a Niagara Falls tour today, and will provide a review tomorrow.
• View of CN Tower from the falls above.
• On a clear day, you can see the plume from Niagara Falls from the CN Tower's SkyPod.  A distance of almost 43 miles.
• Want to walk up the tower?  Takes 1776 steps.
• Want to lean over the edge?  The EdgeWalk allows this.

So on to our CN Tower walk.  Usually around 15 minutes, but took us longer because we were trying to find a bank to exchange American to Canadian money.  Saw some nice flower arrangements.

Blue-bar Pigeon and friend greet us outside our hotel.

Finally got close.

We were greeted by a black squirrel.

Elevator up.

Transparent glass floor.

I had no problems walking across.  Many did.

I wouldn't want to do the EdgeWalk for two reasons:  too fearful and $199.

Caught the elevator down.

Never did find a way to exchange money,  Banks don't do it unless you're a member, and we couldn't find the money exchange stand.  Our hotel came through.  Interestingly enough, there was no extra charge for this service.  The money exchanger would have deducted something.

Got back to the Fairmont Royal York, and listened to some soothing piano music.

Dinner snacks at the Gold Lounge, with a Macallan single malt on rocks.  Lamb was featured.

To get you in the mood for Niagara Falls, here is that 1941 film.  The whole film.  But the one you're familiar with is the 1953 version, Niagara, starring Marilyn Monroe. Rotten Tomatoes rating only of 78/69.

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