The CN Tower in Toronto Canada

Posted by Rachel in Toronto on 08 18th, 2010 | No comments yet - be the first one!

There are lots of great attractions in Toronto, Canada, but if you’re into architecture and amazing structures, then a visit to the CN Tower is essential. You can’t help but miss the sight of the CN Tower, as it stands high against the skyline in Toronto. In fact, it’s one of the tallest towers in the world, at over 1500 feet tall.

The CN Tower was completed in 1975 and was originally named after the railway company which built the tower, Canadian National. However, now that it is owned by the government and the name has been changed slight to stand for Canada’s National (Tower).

The tower serves a practical purpose of broadcasting over 30 Toronto TV and radio signals in the area, plus wireless and mobile phone signals, but it’s also a popular tourist destination.

If you’re not averse to heights, then the CN Tower is well worth including in your Toronto itinerary. The tower is open 364 days a year, although opening hours may vary depending on the time of year, and a lift is available to whoosh you to the top.

There are various different observation levels to explore, where you’re guaranteed a panoramic view of the city of Toronto, even on a gloomy day. To make the most of your visit, there are also several restaurants and coffee areas, where you can stop and relax and take in the breathtaking views, before heading back down to solid ground.

At 342m above the ground, there’s the chance to test your nerve and stand on the glass floor – which offers a vertical view down to the ground below. Not for the faint hearted, the floor is made from a super solid glass that could apparently withstand the weight of 14 hippos, so you can stand on it, jump on it or crawl over it, if you so desire.

Various ticket options are available for the CN Tower, many of which can be booked online in advance. If you want to go right to the top, to the Sky Pod, then a separate ticket is needed. The Sky Pod is reached by a special elevator, accessed from the main observation area, and takes you up to an incredible 447m. The 360 degree view offers visibility of over 100 miles. On a clear day, it’s possible to see as far as Niagara Falls.

The CN Tower

Visiting the Empire State Building in New York

Posted by Rachel in New York, New York City on 08 2nd, 2010 | No comments yet - be the first one!

A trip to New York isn’t complete without a visit to the Empire State Building. Located on Fifth Avenue, at 34th Street, the Empire State Building rises high above the street, and stands at 1,453 feet high.

If you’re intending to visit the Empire State Building, then it’s worth visiting early in the day or late in the evening and, where possible, buying a ticket online in advance. Estimates suggest that, in the height of the tourist season, between 10,000 and 20,000 people a day visit the building, which can cause considerable queues at busy times. A clear day is the ideal time to visit, as you get the opportunity to see for miles from the top of the building, but even on a grey or cloudy day you can still appreciate the great views.

Visiting during the day gives you the chance to see how the city below you looks during daylight and there are great opportunities to see other fantastic sights from above. It’s worth spending an extra few dollars to purchase the audio guide, which you listen to as you go up and around the building. In particular, there are prompts on the audio tour that tell you where to stand in the observatory to get to spot particular sights, such as Brooklyn Bridge, which you may otherwise miss if you’re not familiar with the geographical landscape.

But there’s something magical about visiting in the evening too, as many movies have famously depicted. New York City looks magical when it’s lit up night and, if you time your visit to coincide with sunset, you get to witness the changing city as it moves from daylight to darkness and the flickering lights gradually come on below. Amazingly, the building stays open late into the evening, with the last lift (elevator) heading up the building at 11.15pm.

Whatever time of day or night you visit, do allow plenty of time to soak up the sights and enjoy the experience of the Empire State Building. Most people spend an average of two hours here, but you can easily while away plenty more time. Even if it’s a hot day outside down at ground level, slip in an extra layer to put on when you reach the top, as it can be breezy and colder the further up the building you go.

Cameras and video cameras are widely accepted, but leave your tripod behind, as they’re not allowed in. Be aware too that you’re likely to have to undergo security checks on admittance and there are other objects, such as glass or bottles, that you can’t carry with you.

The Empire State Building is an amazing structure and a huge part of New York’s skyline, so do visit if you have the opportunity.