Attraction
CN Tower
Toronto's 553-metre communications tower on Bremner Boulevard, with a Glass Floor, an outdoor terrace, the higher Top level, a revolving restaurant and the seasonal EdgeWalk.
Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada
A large aquarium at the foot of the CN Tower with more than 20,000 animals, an underwater tunnel with a moving walkway, jellyfish galleries and a touch pool.
At a glance
- Type
- Aquarium
- Area
- Entertainment District, Toronto, Canada
- Official site
- ripleys.com
Good to know
- Underwater tunnel with moving walkway
- Touch pool
- Daily dive shows
Why we recommend it
Ripley's Aquarium of Canada opened in October 2013 beside the base of the CN Tower. It holds more than 20,000 animals from over 450 species in about 5.7 million litres of water, spread across ten galleries, which makes it one of the city's main family attractions.
The centrepiece is Dangerous Lagoon, the largest tank, where a moving walkway carries you slowly through an underwater tunnel with the tank's residents swimming around and above you. Rainbow Reef shows the colourful fish of the Indo-Pacific and has its own dive show, and Ray Bay focuses on three species of stingray, which divers sometimes feed during the daily presentations. Planet Jellies uses colour-changing displays to show off five species of jellyfish.
The Discovery Centre is the best area for younger children, with underwater viewing bubbles, a pop-up research submarine and a touch pool. Canadian Waters covers the animals of the oceans, lakes and rivers around Canada across 17 habitats, and the Shoreline Gallery completes the route.
Tickets are sold online through the official site. Opening hours change through the year, so check the day's times before you go; when this guide was prepared, the official page showed 9am to 9pm. Buying ahead is most useful at peak times and on holidays, when the ticket line is longest. Destination Ontario suggests allowing two to three hours, with time to catch a dive show.
The aquarium is spread over two floors, and its tunnel is described by Destination Ontario as the longest underwater viewing tunnel in North America; the largest tank alone holds about 2.84 million litres. On the second Friday of every month a live jazz band plays in the evening, aquarists give weekly talks about how the animals are cared for, and a separate stingray experience of about two hours includes a behind-the-scenes tour. There is no on-site parking, so arrive on foot or by transit.
The aquarium suits families, couples on a rainy day and anyone who wants an indoor attraction near the waterfront. It combines naturally with the CN Tower next door and the Rogers Centre, so a whole day can be spent in this corner of the Entertainment District. Union Station is a short walk away along the covered SkyWalk.
Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada FAQs
How many animals are there?
More than 20,000 animals from over 450 species.
What is Dangerous Lagoon?
The largest tank, with an underwater tunnel and a moving walkway that carries you through it.
Is it good for small children?
Yes. The Discovery Centre has viewing bubbles, a pop-up submarine and a touch pool.
Are there dive shows?
Yes. Divers present shows in galleries such as Rainbow Reef and Ray Bay, and sometimes feed the rays.
Where is it?
At 288 Bremner Boulevard, at the foot of the CN Tower.
How long should you allow?
Two to three hours.
When did it open?
In October 2013.
How do you get there?
Walk from Union Station along the covered SkyWalk.