Toronto Public Library cardholders hoping to enjoy panoramic city views from the CN Tower for free this summer will be disappointed — the iconic landmark is officially pulling out of the library’s free attraction pass program as of June 2025.
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The Toronto Public Library (TPL) recently confirmed that the CN Tower will no longer participate in its “tpl:map” program, which has provided free access to some of the city’s top cultural and recreational attractions since 2007. The update was quietly posted to the library’s website and attributes the withdrawal to “attraction capacity” concerns.
What is the tpl:map Program?
Short for “Museum + Arts Pass,” the tpl:map program allows TPL cardholders to reserve free passes to a wide range of attractions across Toronto. Each pass typically allows general admission for the cardholder and up to three guests.
Since its launch, the program has distributed over one million passes to popular locations such as:
- Toronto Zoo
- Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada
- Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO)
- Royal Ontario Museum (ROM)
- Hot Docs Cinema
- Aga Khan Museum
- Bata Shoe Museum
- Gardiner Museum
- Museum of Contemporary Art
- Toronto Railway Museum
- The Village at Black Creek
The CN Tower was added to the program only last year, and quickly became one of its most in-demand attractions. According to a TPL spokesperson, passes were usually claimed within minutes of becoming available due to overwhelming demand.
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Why is the CN Tower Pulling Out?
A spokesperson from the CN Tower shared in a statement that the decision was based on the need to manage attendance during the peak summer season:
“As we enter the busy tourist season when attendance is routinely at capacity and to ensure a positive guest experience, we have paused our participation in the program and will reevaluate at a future date.”
This decision highlights the growing challenge of balancing accessibility with operational limits at major tourist destinations, especially during high-volume travel periods.
How Much Does Admission Cost Now?
Without access to the free pass program, visitors to the CN Tower will now need to pay:
- $47 for general adult admission
- $34 for youth and seniors
This change may impact budget-conscious residents and families who previously relied on the library program to make the visit affordable.
What Can TPL Cardholders Still Access?
Despite the CN Tower’s withdrawal, TPL continues to offer free access to many beloved venues. Here’s what you can still enjoy with a library card:
- Hot Docs Cinema
- Aga Khan Museum
- Art Gallery of Ontario
- Bata Shoe Museum
- Gardiner Museum
- Royal Ontario Museum
- Toronto Railway Museum
- Museum of Contemporary Art
- The Village at Black Creek
- Toronto Symphony Orchestra (performance-based passes released weekly)
Passes are released online at 2:00 p.m. on the first Wednesday of each month, with some exceptions for performance venues.
Cardholders can reserve one pass per attraction per calendar year, and may only have one active reservation at a time.
Final Thoughts
The CN Tower’s exit from the tpl:map program marks a significant change to one of the most valued perks for Toronto Public Library users. While there’s hope the tower may return to the program in the future, library cardholders can still take advantage of a wide range of free cultural experiences across the city.
As Toronto enters another busy tourism season, TPL’s program remains a standout among North American libraries — even without the CN Tower.