Towers were invented primarily for defense, allowing short monarchs to loom over invading giants who retreated to the fetal position if anyone taller stood next to them. Take a turn defending the city with today’s Groupon: for $14, you get admission for two (up to a $28 value, depending on age) to the Calgary Tower. Officially opened on June 30, 1968, the Calgary Tower is one of Calgary’s most famous and identifiable physical landmarks, offering sweeping views of the miniaturized city. Visitors can defy Newton and his overrated law of universal gravitation by stepping out “into space” on the 525-foot-high glass floor of the observation deck and peering down on the microcosm below. The photogenic glass windows are paparazzi friendly with specially designed tinted double-plate glass for clear shots. During the 1988 Winter Olympic Games, the official flame burned atop the towering cylinder, making it both the world’s largest Olympic torch and biggest birthday candle.

Reviews

TripAdvisors rank Calgary Tower #8 out of 54 attractions in Calgary and give it an average of 3.5 owl eyes. Yelpers give it a 3.5-star average.

• It was a good introduction to our time in Canada and was good fun. We could see all the way to the Rockies even on a cloudy day. – MWest11, TripAdvisor
• My favourite thing to do on an ordinary visit to the tower is to go stand out on the glass floor and look down. – Wendy P., Yelp