The CN Tower has a bit of a reputation. Locals will often tell you it is too expensive, too crowded, and not worth the hype. In some ways they are right. Admission is not cheap, lineups can stretch on for what feels like forever, and if you happen to go on a cloudy day, the famous view can disappear into nothing but grey.
Still, if you are visiting Toronto, it is almost impossible to leave without going up. The CN Tower is not just another attraction, it is the landmark that defines the skyline. For kids, the experience is pure excitement. The high speed elevators shoot up to the observation deck in under a minute, the glass floor dares them to look straight down, and the view makes it easy to spot all the places they explored in the city. For parents, it is one of those bucket list activities that might sting the wallet but creates the kind of memory everyone will talk about for years.
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The good news is that a little planning makes the visit smoother, cheaper, and a lot more fun. There are smart ways to save on tickets and parking, the best times to avoid long waits, and even dining options that double as your admission. If you time it right, you might even catch one of the best sunsets you will ever see over the Toronto skyline.
In this guide we share our top tips for visiting the CN Tower with kids. From money saving passes to family survival hacks, here is how to make the most of Toronto’s most famous tower.
1. Park Smarter: How SpotHero Saves Money and Stress
One of the biggest sources of stress when visiting the CN Tower is parking. The area around the tower is always busy with tourists, office workers, and events at the Rogers Centre. Driving in circles hunting for a spot is no fun, especially if you have kids in the back seat who are already excited to get going.
A simple way to avoid this is by using SpotHero, a parking app that lets you book a spot in advance. You can choose a lot nearby, know the exact cost, and head straight there without the anxiety of wondering if you will find parking. It is usually cheaper than paying on the spot, which adds up quickly if you are in the city for a full day.
For families, this is a game changer. Instead of starting your visit with frustration, you roll up knowing where you are going and how much it will cost. More money saved on parking means more room in the budget for a BeaverTail or ice cream on the waterfront afterward.
2. Unlock Hidden Discounts with CAA and PRESTO Perks
CN Tower tickets are not cheap, but there are a couple of easy ways to save if you know where to look. If you are a CAA member, you can get 20 percent off admission simply by booking through their website or showing your membership card when you buy tickets. It is a straightforward discount that can make a big difference for families buying multiple tickets.
If you use public transit, your PRESTO card also comes with a perk. PRESTO Perks give cardholders 15 percent off CN Tower tickets. You can check all the details on the official PRESTO Perks page.
Both of these discounts work for adult and child tickets, so the savings add up quickly. It is worth checking which option works best for your family before you book. Even knocking ten or fifteen dollars off per ticket can mean a big chunk of change saved for a family of four.
3. Bundle Up: Sea the Sky and Toronto CityPASS Deals
If you plan on visiting more than one attraction in Toronto, bundle tickets are one of the easiest ways to save money. The CN Tower offers a Sea the Sky package, which combines admission to the CN Tower and Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada, located right next door. Buying the two together costs less than paying separately and makes for a full day of fun without moving your car.
For example, as of this year, adult tickets to the CN Tower are about $45 each and Ripley’s Aquarium tickets are about $44 each. For a family of four with two adults and two kids, buying both attractions separately comes to roughly $178. With the Sea the Sky bundle, the same family pays about $150, saving close to $30. That is basically the cost of lunch or a treat at the end of the day.
Another option is the Toronto CityPASS, which includes the CN Tower along with other top attractions like Casa Loma, the Toronto Zoo, and the Ontario Science Centre. If your family is planning to visit at least three of the included spots, the pass pays for itself and then some. It also means fewer lineups for tickets, which is a big win with kids.
4. Catch Toronto at Its Best: Go Before Sunset
The CN Tower is impressive any time of day, but if you can, plan your visit to line up with sunset. Watching the sun dip behind the skyline and the lake slowly light up with the glow of the city is one of the best views in Toronto. Kids love seeing the city transform from day to night, and parents will appreciate the chance to grab unforgettable photos.
The trick is to arrive at least 45 minutes to an hour before sunset. This gives you time to get through security, ride the elevators, and find a good spot before the show begins. It also means you get the best of both worlds: daytime views that stretch all the way to Niagara Falls on a clear day, plus the magical moment when the city lights flicker on below.
If you are visiting in summer, this may mean keeping little ones up a bit later, but the memory of watching the city from above as the sky turns pink and orange is well worth it.
5. Dine with a View: Why 360 Restaurant Might Be Worth It
One of the most memorable ways to experience the CN Tower is by booking a meal at 360 The Restaurant. The dining room sits above the main observation level and slowly rotates, giving you a full panoramic view of Toronto while you eat. If you are celebrating a special occasion, or simply want to combine a meal with the view, this is a great option.
Credit: CN Tower
What many people do not realize is that eating at 360 also includes access to the CN Tower’s main observation deck. As long as each adult spends a minimum of $75 on food (and $40 for kids aged 4 to 12), your ticket to the tower is included. That means you get dinner and admission without paying for both separately. For families, this can be a smart way to combine two expenses into one.
When booking, always request a window seat. The slow rotation means you will eventually see every angle of the city, but kids will enjoy the excitement of being right next to the glass. The menu focuses on Canadian ingredients, with dishes that feel elevated but still approachable.
If you were planning to eat out anyway, 360 lets you turn a regular dinner into an unforgettable Toronto experience.
6. Feeling Brave? Try the EdgeWalk
For families with teens or adventurous adults, the EdgeWalk is the ultimate CN Tower experience. It takes place on a platform that circles the outside of the tower’s main pod, 116 storeys above the ground. Participants are clipped into safety harnesses and walk hands free along the edge, leaning out over the city with nothing but air beneath their feet.
Credit: Medium.com
This activity is not for kids. The minimum age is 13, and there are also height and weight requirements, so most families with younger children will skip it. For older teens and parents though, it is a bucket list thrill you will never forget. Tickets for the EdgeWalk include admission to the observation levels, so you can still enjoy the regular CN Tower experience afterward.
Even if you do not join in, watching people out on the platform from the observation deck is entertaining. Kids are often fascinated to see brave walkers dangling high above, and it makes for a fun “would you do it?” family conversation.
7. Crowds Are Real – Here’s How to Beat Them
The CN Tower is one of the busiest attractions in Toronto, which means lineups are part of the experience. Elevators can only move so many people at a time, and on weekends, holidays, or summer afternoons, the wait can feel long. Add kids into the mix and it can get stressful fast.
The easiest way to avoid this is to arrive early in the day. Doors usually open mid morning, and if you are there within the first hour, you will often find shorter lines and more space to move around at the top. Another good option is to visit later in the evening after dinner, when daytime crowds have thinned out.
If you are planning to catch the sunset, arriving a bit earlier is important anyway so you have time to get through security and find a good spot before the show begins. Either way, a little timing strategy makes the visit smoother and much more enjoyable for the whole family.
8. Don’t Waste Your Ticket: Check the Weather First
One of the biggest mistakes people make with the CN Tower is going up when the weather is bad. Rain, fog, or heavy clouds can completely block the view, and there is nothing more disappointing than paying full price only to stare out at a wall of grey.
Before you buy your tickets, check the forecast and even look at the CN Tower’s live webcam if it is available. On a clear day, you can see as far as 160 kilometres, which means spotting Niagara Falls and even parts of New York State. On a foggy day, you might not see past the glass.
If the weather looks questionable, it might be worth adjusting your plans and swapping days with another activity. Since the tower is open year round, there is usually some flexibility. For families visiting Toronto on a short trip, this simple step can make the difference between a forgettable experience and a highlight of the trip.
9. Make the CN Tower Your Grand Finale in Toronto
If your family is visiting Toronto for more than a day, consider saving the CN Tower for the end of your trip. After exploring the city’s neighborhoods, museums, and attractions, heading up to the top gives everyone a chance to point out all the places they have been. Kids love spotting landmarks they recognize, from the stadium to the aquarium to the islands across the water.
Making it the last stop also gives the visit a sense of closure. It is like a final overview of your family adventure, with the city spread out below. For parents, it can be a satisfying way to wrap up a trip, and for kids, it turns into a fun game of “I spy” from hundreds of metres above the ground.
Even if you only have a weekend in the city, putting the CN Tower at the end of your itinerary makes it feel like a true highlight rather than just another attraction squeezed into the middle of the day.
10. Family Hacks: Snacks, Glass Floor Fun, and Managing Expectations
Visiting the CN Tower with kids is exciting, but a little preparation makes it much easier. Food and drinks are available at the top, but they are expensive and not always what picky eaters want. Packing a small snack for the kids helps tide them over without blowing the budget. Just keep it simple and easy to carry through security.
The Glass Floor is a must-try for first timers, especially with kids. It can hold the weight of dozens of people at once, but that does not stop some kids (and parents) from hesitating before stepping onto it. Encourage your little ones to try it out, most end up loving it, and it makes for some of the best photos of the visit.
Finally, set expectations before you go. The CN Tower is an incredible experience, but it does involve lines, security checks, and crowds. Talking to kids about what to expect ahead of time helps avoid meltdowns in the moment. Remind them that the reward is an elevator ride like no other and a view that stretches farther than they can imagine.
Is the CN Tower Worth It for Families?
The CN Tower is not cheap and it is not without its challenges. Parking can be stressful, food is pricey, and crowds are very real. But for families visiting Toronto, it is still absolutely worth doing. The combination of thrilling elevators, the glass floor, and the unbeatable views makes it a memory kids will hold onto long after the trip is over.
What makes the difference is planning. If you use the discounts, pick the right time of day, and pack a few snacks, the experience feels a lot less overwhelming and much more fun. Add in extras like the sunset views or a meal at the 360 Restaurant, and suddenly the visit goes from a tourist checklist item to one of the highlights of your trip.
So yes, the CN Tower may be over rated and over priced, but it is also iconic. With the right tips, it is an experience your family will look back on with smiles, and one you would regret skipping.
Beaver Adventurous
Every journey is an adventure waiting to happen, so I dive in with a smile and an open mind. From spontaneous road trips to carefully planned escapes, I’m here for the memories, the mishaps, and everything in between!
