How to Visit the CN Tower Toronto: Best Hack to Skip the Lines

The CN Tower Toronto is one of the focal points of the city, both as an activity and in the skyline. But it can be quite the hassle to actual visit, with over priced tickets and insanely long lines. In fact, despite me visiting Toronto countless times, it took me 30 years to actually go inside the CN Tower.

This is how I ended up finally visiting the CN tower – without waiting in a single line! And spoiler alert, I really enjoyed my experience! So these are my few tricks to visit the CN Tower in Toronto!

Psst! This blog post contains affiliate links in it which sends me a bit of extra money if you use them… at no extra cost to you!

How to Visit The CN Tower Toronto and Skip the Lines

There are four ways to skip the lines and enjoy your visit to the CN Tower. I go into more detail about each experience below.

• Visit during low season
• Book a reservation at the 360 Overview Restaurant (what I did)
• Book the EdgeWalk
• Book a Premium Skip the Line Ticket

Visit During Low Season

My best advice for visiting any popular attraction is to travel during low season. Unless there’s a popular festival or event taking place, low season is usually in the spring and fall. Low season travel allows for the most flexibility and smaller crowds. And sometimes you’ll even get some discounts on attractions!

I traveled to Toronto at the end of June and was able to book my visit to the CN Tower the day before. When I was there, it also wasn’t fully booked despite there still being a long line for general admission (so I can only imagine how much worse it can get during peak high season!). Thankfully, I walked right by everyone – multiple times!

P.S. The line you see outside for the CN Tower isn’t the only line. The line continues inside to wait to board one of four elevators in the building.

Reserve A Table at 360 The Restaurant

If you can’t visit during low season, the best way to skip the lines is to book a reservation at the restaurant. The CN Tower has a revolving restaurant, 2 floors ABOVE the observation deck.

To skip the general admissions line, show your restaurant booking confirmation and walk right passed everyone. You can do this for each line except for security – but that’s not too bad of a wait.

The CN Tower Restaurant is Expensive but Worth it

The biggest negative about the CN Tower restaurant is that there’s a minimum spend of 75$ per person. This isn’t exactly cheap. BUT if you do some girl math, it’s basically be free, here’s how…

The ticket to the CN Tower is $45, which is included in your restaurant reservation. After your meal you’re allowed to go to both of the observation decks below. So now a meal at the restaurant is only $30. But you have to eat somewhere in Toronto, and it probably won’t be for much less than $30. On top of of that, you get a skip the line ticket which would be $99 for a Premium ticket. So now your meal at the CN Tower is actually free.

I was skeptical at first, but I was pleasantly surprised with the overall experience. Sitting in one spot watching the view is a much more enjoyable than the observation deck – which I visited after. For starters, it’s much busier, and you have to walk around to see all the main points of interest.

At the revolving restaurant, an entire tour takes 72 minutes. This is the perfect time to order, eat, and pay. But they also won’t kick you out if you want to enjoy the view for a bit longer either.

The Food at The Restaurant

It’s important to keep in mind you’re coming to the restaurant for the view, so don’t expect the perfect gastronomic experience. The food is decent but I wasn’t blown away by anything I tried. I ordered their vegetarian dishes, and it’s possible their meat and seafood meals are better.

The restaurant offers an à la carte menu but I recommend ordering off the table d’hôte which is exactly $75. The table d’hôte comes with a main and either an appetizer or dessert.

I always love enjoying a view with a drink or food, so this was perfect for me even if the food wasn’t.

Getting a Seat by the Window

Anytime I’m overpaying to eat at a restaurant with a view, I’m hesitant to book. I always want the best view because that’s what the experience is all about. Unfortunately, the CN Tower restaurant does not guarantee a window seat with your standard reservation. And of course not ever seat cab be by the window, yet every seat has the same cost.

The restaurant has two rows of seating on the lower level and one row on an upper level. When I went, at 1:30 P.M. for lunch in late June, I was happy to see that every visitor had a window table. This was probably a happy coincidence though.

On their website they say that the window seats are on a first come, first served basis unless you pay for an upgraded seat. The best chance at a free window seat then would be to book a reservation for when they first open (at 11:30 A.M.). You also want to be the last person on the elevator to be the first person off the elevator, that way, you’ll be seated first.

Otherwise, you might want to consider paying for one of their premium VIP packages, which guarantee a window seat. They offer a simple upgrade to a window seat, or the Love is in the Air package, or the Canadian Experience.

Best Time to Reserve at The CN Tower Restaurant

As I’ve mentioned, you need to reserve a timed entry ticket in advance for the restaurant at the CN Tower. The minimum $75 spend is the same for both lunch and dinner.

Choose the time that’s most convenient for you based on your priorities. So if you want a window seat, book one of the first reservations of the day. Another popular time is to visit for sunset. If you can time it, you might be able to catch the city in daylight, golden hour, and night time. But it would have to be a pretty late dinner for that because in the summer, the sun sets pretty late in Toronto.

If you don’t have a choice (I booked last minute), choose what time is available. I only had lunch time slot available and enjoyed my fully day time view where I was able to see everything!

Book The EdgeWalk Experience

The EdgeWalk is another option to skip the lines at the CN Tower. It’s even more expensive than eating at the restaurant, but it’s more of a thrill seeking adventure. And everyone is guaranteed the best view the whole time.

The EdgeWalk is almost double the price, but you get to walk on the edge of the CN Tower – OUTSIDE! It is the world’s highest full circle hands-free walk on a 5 ft (1.5 m) wide ledge. You walk around the top of the Tower’s main pod – 356m/1168ft (116 storeys) above the ground.

They also give you a certificate of completion, a video of your walk, and 2 printed photographs. Of course, you’ll also have access to the regular observation decks AND now you’ll also have access to The Top…

Other Attraction at the CN Tower: The Top

The Top is the last attraction at the CN Tower but it DOES NOT include skip the line access. Instead it gives you access to the highest indoor observation deck at the CN Tower. You go two stories above the restaurant.

But as I mentioned, you’ll have to wait in the regular line up with this ticket.

Planning Your Visit to the CN Tower Toronto

When to Visit the CN Tower

The best time to book a visit to the CN tower is at the end of your stay in Toronto. It’s fun to see where you’ve already been around the city. You’re able to recognize attractions and see how far, or close, everything is.

Otherwise, if you book the CN Tower at the start of your time in Toronto, you won’t really know what you’re looking at.

Where Should you go to Actually See the CN Tower

The best place to go to get a skyline view of the CN Tower in Toronto is the Toronto Islands. These are the group of Islands across Lake Ontario that you can easily access from the Toronto Harbour front. Plus the Islands make a great city escape from Toronto for the day as well!

Where To Stay in Toronto

I typically stay with family when I visit Toronto but I have stayed downtown once at the Radisson Blu Downtown Toronto. Located on Toronto’s harbour front, it was a very convenient location (plus you can upgrade your room for a view!). The highlight though of the hotel is by far the outdoor rooftop pool with an outstanding view of the CN Tower. See rates & availability on Booking.com.

I’ve also stayed at the historical Fairmont Royal York Hotel, which is in an unbeatable location – across the street from Union Station and a 10 minute walk to the CN Tower. I will say though, the hotel is not accessible, making it hard for wheelchairs or if you’re traveling with strollers. See rates & availability on Booking.com.

If you’re looking to stay in downtown Toronto, One King West Hotel might be the one for you! Located on King Street you’re a short walk to all the main attractions, there are several tram stops, and the subway is just over a 5 minute walk away. See rates & availability on Booking.com.

Staying in Toronto can be quite expensive, Home in Downtown is budget friendly option to visiting the city. Although it has shared bathrooms, you have a private kitchen to use. Plus this apartment style stay has glowing reviews! See rates & availability on Booking.com.

See more accommodation options in Toronto on Booking.com.

My Amazon Travel Favourites

My travel packing essentials, I always pack in my Travelpro Maxlite 5 Carryon (I prefer the 2-wheeled for more packing space!). To stay organized in my suitcase, I use MEC packing cubes. To save space on medication, I like using these pill organizers. And to make sure I don’t lose any loose belongings, I always have a Go Travel Cary Clip.

To take my best family photos, I use this Joby Gorillapod with remote shutter. This way, no one is left out from travel photos. And I always travel with a reusable water bottle to stay hydrated – I like my Thermoflask because it’s easy to carry and keeps my water cold!

The CN Tower Facts

The CN Tower has dominated the Toronto Skyline since it opened in June 1976. Today it’s the city’s most prominent feature rising 553.33 metres (1,815.5 feet) above the ground.

The CN Tower was the tallest tower in the world until 2009 when it was passed by Dubai’s Burj Khalifa.

The name comes from Canadian National, the railway company that built the tower. The purpose was to be taller than any other building to have uninterrupted radio waves.

Read More Related Posts

• 10 Top Things To Do In Toronto Besides The CN Tower!
• Toronto Island Guide: How To Visit & What To Do
• Toronto To Montreal Drive: 11 Fun Stops Along The Way

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