Skylon Tower, Niagara Falls (must see)

Skylon Tower is a must-visit attraction in Niagara Falls, Ontario, offering breathtaking views of both American Falls in New York and the larger Horseshoe Falls in Ontario. Construction of Skylon Tower began in May 1964 and was completed on October 6, 1965. The tower stands at 160 meters (520 ft) from street level and 236 meters (775 ft) from the bottom of the falls, making it the second-tallest structure in the Niagara Falls area. It was built using the slip form method, which involves continuously pouring concrete into a form moving slowly up the tower.

Skylon Tower has three outside-mounted "Yellow Bug" elevators. These elevators can carry passengers to the top of the tower in just 52 seconds and operate with a guide rail on the backside only. Special equipment is employed to prevent the cables from becoming tangled in the wind or impeded by snow and ice in the winter.

At the top of the tower, there are two restaurants: the Revolving Dining Room and the Upper Summit Suite Buffet. The Revolving Dining Room offers a unique dining experience with a 360-degree view of the Falls and surrounding areas. It rotates once every hour, allowing diners to take in the full panoramic view while enjoying their meal. The Upper Summit Suite Buffet is a casual dining option that features a wide selection of dishes and stunning views of the falls.

Despite surrounding redevelopment, the Skylon Tower complex has retained much of its 1970s and 1980s look and feel. The property has recently been expanded to include a 3D/4D Theatre, a Starbucks franchise, other quick-service franchises, and a bridge connecting the complex with the newly completed Fallsview Casino. The roof of Skylon was restored to its original bright copper color in August and September 2008, and the lights that shine up the tower at night have also been updated in recent years to showcase a selection of colors that interchange, similar to the lights that shine on the falls themselves.