The Leaning Tower of Niles in Niles, Illinois

The Leaning Tower of Niles is about a half-size replica of its sister structure: the Leaning Tower of Pisa in Pisa, Italy. It combines roadside attraction with historic Italia…and that, my silly American friends, is worth a drive from anywhere (maybe even Rome, Illinois or Florence, Illinois…).

This Leaning Tower of Pisa replica was constructed in 1934 by industrialist Robert Ilg as part of a recreation park for employees of the Ilg Hot Air Electric Ventilating Company of Chicago. Some say it was to commemorate the 600th anniversary of the Pisa version, others say it held water for swimming pools.

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Through the years, the Niles Leaning Tower has been renovated and it now boasts four fountains and a 20-foot pool. It’s a great stop for your next road trip if you want to get a piece of Italy in suburban Chicago, want to take a goofy tourist photo of yourself holding it up, or want to take in an open-air summer music concert underneath the tower.

(Want another taste of Italy in America? Check out the Venetian Gondola Rides in Las Vegas.)

Photos of the Leaning Tower of Niles in 2007:

I first saw the replica leaning tower of Pisa in Chicago on November 25, 2007 on a Chicagoland road trip. The Illinois roadside attraction was decked out for Christmas with red and green garlands and bows.

Leaning Tower of Niles in Niles, Illinois - Leaning Tour of Pisa Replica

Photos of the Leaning Tower of Niles in 2008:

I visited the Chicago leaning tower again on November 29, 2008 on my way back from Woodstock, Illinois: the town where the movie Groundhog Day was filmed.

Leaning Tower of Niles - a roadside attraction in Niles, Illinois

Photos of the Leaning Tower of Niles in 2010:

I again stopped by the Leaning Tower of Pisa Niles roadside attraction on April 11, 2010, on a mini road trip that also included stops at the Gemini Giant muffler man and the agricultural crash monument.

Leaning Tower of Niles in Niles, Illinois

So, if you can’t make it to Italy any time soon, swing by Niles, Illinois, for a taste of Italia. Or at least a replica.

The Leaning Tower of Niles

Where in the United States is the Leaning Tower of Niles?
6300 W. Touhy Avenue, Niles, IL
Cost: Free to see.
Hours: Always visible.

Pin this Illinois roadside attraction:

Photos of the Leaning Tower of Niles in Illinois. This Illinois roadside attraction is a half-sized replica of Italy's Leaning Tower of Pisa in the United States. Add this weird roadside attraction to your Illinois road trip itinerary and travel bucket lists when visiting the Chicago suburbs.
#IllinoisRoadsideAttractions #IllinoisRoadsideAttraction #RoadsideAttractions #RoadsideAttraction #RoadTrip #IllinoisRoadTrip #WeirdRoadsideAttractions #RoadTripStops — Photos of the Leaning Tower of Niles in Illinois. This Illinois roadside attraction is a half-sized replica of Italy’s Leaning Tower of Pisa in the United States. Add this weird roadside attraction to your Illinois road trip itinerary and travel bucket lists when visiting the Chicago suburbs.

Valerie Bromann

Founder & ROad Trip Expert

Valerie Bromann is a a website manager, content creator, and writer from Chicago, Illinois (currently living in Dallas, Texas). As an avid road tripper who has visited hundreds of roadside attractions, Val always pull over for a world’s largest thing. Founder of Silly America and author of The Road Trip Journal & Activity Book, she visits, photographs, and writes about all the weird tourist destinations she visits and offers road trip planning advice and inspiration based on her own travels so you can hit the road for yourself.