Probably the best known landmark in Calgary, the Calgary tower is an iconic structure that draws many visitors. Even though it is not as tall as other towers around the world, it is still a member of the World Federation of Great Towers which puts it in a status on par with other taller and more modern towers in the world (e.g. Toronto's CN Tower, Shanghai's Pearl Oriental tower, or Seattle's Space Needle, among others).
The entry fee is somewhat pricey, however taking the elevator up to the observation deck is a fun experience thanks to the screens showing an animation of the ascend. Once upstairs, the views on a clear day can be impressive, though the side that faces the central business district offers mostly views of the downtown office towers. But on the other sides of the tower, you can see the Rocky mountains, the airport, prairies, and other landmarks in the city.
The glass floor is a fun feature, in line with what you normally see in other tall towers around the world. It is a very popular spot for pictures.
There is a video showing some information about the tower, but that's the extent of the "interactive" side of the tower. I really wish that more interactive and audiovisual displays were made available on the observation deck which would make a visit to the tower memorable, hence my 4 star review instead of 5. I really hope that the management takes note of this and exploits the tower's potential by bringing its displays to the 21st century!
Downstairs there is a small souvenir shop.
I haven't been at the rotating restaurant in the tower in several years, I look forward to trying it again. A few years ago it was one of the best romantic spots in the city to go for dinner, so I hope that hasn't changed too much!