No need to travel to Italy to see a leaning tower because there's one in Illinois.

I am not sure what or why it is. I do not have an idea even how it started. For some strange reason, I have a healthy fascination with roadside attractions. I am a naturally curious person. If there is an adventure, you can count me in. Photos or selfies at roadside attractions definitely make great posts for social media.

I have visited unique tourist spots all over the country. One of my favorites is the World's Tallest Thermometer in Baker, California. It is located between Las Vegas and Los Angeles off the highway in the middle of the desert.

There are some good ones right here in Illinois. For example, there is the giant catsup bottle water tower in Collinsville. Closer to home, you can visit Harmilda the Cow in Havard.

Recently, I was reminded of one I visited as a child. My family was visiting my mom's cousin in Niles, Illinois. While we were there, she took us around town. One of the places we stopped was the Leaning Tower of Niles. Think of the Leaning Tower of Pisa, only smaller and closer. I thought it was really cool back then.


I have never seen the real one but this one seems like a realistic copy. Kind of like the Eiffel Tower at the Paris Casino in Las Vegas.

According to onlyinyourstate.com,

"The structure sits in Ilgair Park, a 22-acre area built by local businessman, Robert Ilg in the 1920s. The park features two large outdoor pools which are supplied by water using a massive water tank. Though some nostalgic people like to believe the tower was built to commemorate the 600th anniversary of the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the Leaning Tower of Niles is mostly believed to have been built to cover the park's water tank."

It is a lot smaller than the original. The structure is 94 feet tall, the diameter is 28 feet, and the lean measures a little more than 7 feet. To the average person, it is considered a pretty good knock off.

I think it could be a fun little road trip for the family. Especially, when we are all looking for outside activities to keep us busy.

If visiting Italy to see the Leaning Tower of Pisa is on your bucket list, this might be a good substitute until traveling to Europe is safe and allowed again.

For more info, HERE.


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