At Toronto's CN Tower - the World's Tallest Tower - you can walk on a glass floor 113 stories above the ground
Toronto, Ontario- Spend 58 seconds soaring up in a glass-walled elevator at Toronto's CN Tower and you find the highest mailbox in the world, an elegant restaurant called 360 that and does a complete revolution every 72 minutes, and spectacular views from observation decks. On a clear day you may even be able to spot the spray from Niagara Falls. But, the really cool view is the one straight down when you step out on to a 6 cm (2.5 inches) thick glass floor, 113 stories above ground. Don’t worry, it’s strong enough to support at least a dozen hippos. For more than 30 years the CN Tower was recognized as the World's Tallest Building. On Sept. 21, 2009 Guinness World Records confirmed that it is the World's Tallest Tower. A structure is a tower when less that 50% of its constructions is useable floor space. The CN Tower has also been designated a Wonder of the Modern World. Photo courtesy of CN Tower
Where: You'll find the CN Tower on Front St. beside Toronto's domed stadium, in the heart of the entertainment district. If you are taking the TTC go to Union Station and walk west for five to ten minutes. The neighbourhood immediately to the north is known for its restaurants and nightclubs, Roy Thomson Hall (home of the Toronto Symphony ) and the Princess of Wales and Royal Alexandra Theatres. Quick Tip: Consider making a reservation to dine in the Tower's 360 Restaurant. Not only does it have a spectaular view and it's a favorite of visiting celebrities, your ride up the tower will be free.
In the News: In April 2008 the tower also added North America's first, and the world's highest, glass-floor-paneled elevator. The elevator has two glass panels, each 2 1/2 inches thick, which cover a total of six square feet of floor space.
Lucy Izon
Canada Cool is produced by award-winning Canadian travel writer & speaker Lucy Izon. Her travel stories & reports have appeared in numerous leading North American publications including the Los Angeles Times, Chicago Tribune, Toronto Star, Globe and Mail, and Chicken Soup for the Traveler's Soul. Bio page
Canada’s Coolest:
Welcome to a new feature on Canada Cool. I'll be presenting different 'Coolest' lists with my favorites and I encourage you to nominate suggestions from your own experiences. You can Twitter @CanadaCool or email Lucy@CanadaCool.com. Let me know what makes your suggestion exceptionally cool. Remember, by contributing your comments you are giving Canada Cool permission to quote you. Only a selection of submissions will be included, but all comments and submissions are greatly appreciated!
The first feature is: Canada's Coolest Single Day Scenic Drives
Here are some of my favorites...
The Icefields Parkway, Jasper National Park, Alberta - This 229 km (142 mi) Rocky Mountain route from Banff/Lake Louise to Jasper passes 100 frozen rivers and nudges the base of the Athabasca Glacier - the most accessible glacier in the world. You can stop and explore it. It spills down from the Columbia Icefield, an area of ice so massive that you could fit the entire population of North America on it with each person getting at least a square metre of space.
The Corridor, Algonquin Park, Ontario – this 56-km stretch of Hwy 60 cuts through the southwest section of Algonquin Park. Less than three hours north of Toronto the park is a nature-lover's paradise with 7,725 km of lakes, rivers, forest, trails, camping, comfortable lodges and 2000 km of canoe routes. Offers hiking trails to stop and enjoy, but what makes it really cool is that it’s one of the best places in North America to spot moose (especially in May and June). And, on Thursday nights in August up to 600 cars will gather to listen to wolves howl.
The Cabot Trail, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia – Driving this 303 km (187 mile) route is like riding a roller-coaster: the road snakes around hairpin turns, rises to heights over 365 metres (1200 ft), weaves around headlands revealing spectacular coastal scenery, and plunges down to sea level taking you into the heart of small fishing communities. The most dramatic scenery is between the Cape Breton Highlands National Park entrance near Cheticamp and Pleasant Bay, so go slow. And, plan some flexibility into your schedule, so you can drive it on a clear day.
And here are some of your nominations for 'Canada's Coolest Single Day Scenic Drives'...
More from Canada’s Coolest
'Canada's Coolest' topics we'll be publishing in the future:
- Golf Course Features
- Haunted Hotels
- Hotel Special Services
Send your suggestions to lucy@CanadaCool.com
Recent 'Canada's Coolest' topics: