Skip to Main Content

Leaning Tower of Niles.

Leaning Tower of Niles

Field review by the editors.

Niles, Illinois

The Leaning Tower is a perennial stop for travelers in the Chicago area, only 15 minutes northeast of O'Hare International Airport. The Leaning Tower of Niles is, naturally, a replica of Italy's Leaning Tower of Pisa. It is roughly half-sized, 94 feet vs. the authentic's 177 feet, and leans about 7'4" off plum (vs. Pisa's 13 foot tilt). But that hardly matters when you're standing across the street taking a picture. And the savings in overseas airfare is worth considering.

America's Leaning Tower was built in 1934 (600 years after the original) by businessman Bob Ilg, who anchored it in concrete so that its lean would stay consistent. Originally it was a utility tower, made from steel, concrete, and precast stone, designed to hide water filtration tanks for Ilg's employee swimming pool. A plaque at its base says it was built to honor the outstanding scientist Galileo Galilei, who dropped various objects from the top of the Pisa tower to prove his theory of gravity.

The plaza around the tower was renovated in the late 1990s, adding a fountain, reflecting pool, and other touches, just in time for a visit from Niles' sister-city -- Pisa, of couse.

Also see: Other World Attractions

Leaning Tower of Niles

Leaning Tower YMCA

Address:
6300 Touhy Ave., Niles, IL
Directions:
Leaning Tower YMCA. I-94 exit 39A. Drive west on Touhy Ave. for about two miles. The Tower will be on the right.
Phone:
847-647-8222
RA Rates:
Major Fun
Save to My Sights

Nearby Offbeat Places

Sit with Lincoln on a CouchSit with Lincoln on a Couch, Niles, IL - < 1 mi.
Superdawg Drive-InSuperdawg Drive-In, Chicago, IL - 1 mi.
Booby's SignBooby's Sign, Niles, IL - 2 mi.
In the region:
Busy Beaver Button Museum, Chicago, IL - 8 mi.

More Quirky Attractions in Illinois

Stories, reports and tips on tourist attractions and odd sights in Illinois.

Explore Thousands of Unique Roadside Landmarks!

Strange and amusing destinations in the US and Canada are our specialty. Start here.
Use RoadsideAmerica.com's Attraction Maps to plan your next road trip.

My Sights

My Sights on Roadside America

Save Cool Vacation Destinations! ...Try My Sights

Mobile Apps

Roadside America app: iPhone, iPad Roadside America app for iPhone, iPad. On-route maps, 1,000s of photos, special research targets! ...More

Roadside Presidents app: iPhone, iPad Roadside Presidents app for iPhone, iPad. POTUS landmarks, oddities. ...More

Illinois Latest Tips and Stories

Latest Visitor Tips

Sight of the Week

Sight of the Week

JFK's World Famous Twine Ball, Highland, Wisconsin (Mar 18-24, 2024)

SotW Archive

USA and Canada Tips and Stories

More Sightings