Edgewalk / courtesy CN Tower

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 it houses the highest wine cellar in the world), and spectacular views from observation decks. On a clear day you may even be able to spot the spray from Niagara Falls. But, if you have the courage, now you are able to go further – right to the edge, on a ledge. Since August 1, 2011 adventurous visitors have been able to walk on a 5 ft (1.5 m) ledge that encircles the top of the tower 116 stories above the ground.

Edgewalk Guinness World Record © Lucy Izon

The Guinness World Record was awarded on the ledge, on a misty Nov. 8, 2011. Carey Low, the Guinness World Records Canadian Representative, presented the certificate to Jack Robinson, Chief Operating Officer of the CN Tower – and then gave leaning out over the edge a go himself. Did you know the Guinness World Records is Canadian owned? It’s part of the Jim Pattison Group, one of Canada’s largest privately owned companies – a conglomerate that includes advertising, broadcasting, grocery stores and automotive retailing.

Can you imagine hanging out – with nothing beneath you! More than 9,000 have been gutsy enough to give it a go, walking ‘hands-free’ in groups of six to eight while attached to an overhead safety rail via a trolley and harness system. The whole experience takes about 90 minutes, with 20 to 30 of those minutes spent on the ledge. Participants have ranged in age from 13 to 90, and it’s even been used as a venue for a marriage proposal. Edgewalk operates seasonally May through October, weather dependent. You can view participants live on the ledge from camera monitors inside (that’s how I took this photo.) More information is available online.

CN Tower Glass Floor

For the rest of us mere mortals, there is very cool view straight down straight down through a glass floor, 113 stories above the ground. The glass is 6 cm (2.5 inches) thick, and they say it’s strong enough to support at least a dozen hippos.

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.

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.

Wine Cellar photo courtesy CN Tower

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 spectacular view and it’s a favorite of visiting celebrities, your ride up the tower will be free if you order an entree. World’s highest wine cellar photo courtesy of CN Tower.

Have you tried Edgewalk? Please share your experience…