leaning tower of niles

midwest4

I grew up near this area and have fond memories of driving past the "Leaning Tower." When I was a kid I really thought it was the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Silly I know. It has been there forever. I believe it was constructed in the 1930's. Anyway, only worth a drive by if you are in the area. It is not an attraction. Just an oddity in the Niles area and well worth seeing if you are nearby.

ut_jd

If you are nearby, it is worth driving past to take a look at this tower. It is a small version of the actual Leaning Tower of Pisa in Italy. It is kind of in the middle of a shopping area and not what you would expect there. However, it pretty much ends there. Not much more to it than just seeing this miniature version of the actual tower.

nyredhawk

Pulled out of yet another suburban Chicagoland mall and looked to the right and encountered this monstrosity. I cannot for the life of me fathom how anyone can look at this hulking homage of concrete and steel and do anything but derisively laugh at the garish absurdity. The real tower is elegant and commanding. This one looks like it was lifted from a Vegas amusement park that went belly-up and someone decided to buy it as a lark.

tko1boxing

I have driven past this site many times. This past November I actually stopped and took a picture of it. This replica (and it is half the size of the 'real' leaning tower) always manages to catch my eye. You can see why in the photo. It makes a great picture that you can share with your friends.

MargeS769

It's really unimpressive, just sits there in the outlot of a YMCA. Don't even know if it's ever open, but I can't imagine it being more exciting on the inside.

suemc1102

Climbng the Leaning Tower without going to Italy. I did, however, go to Pisa many years later! The Niles tower is a very authentic-looking replica.

AntonyAVFC

Kitsch, unique, and as a previous reviewer termed it; a great piece of Americana. Not worth a trip in itself specifically to go there but if you are heading vaguely in that direction or from the north to the city of Chicago then make a little detour. You can park right there and the detail of the building is terrific; although I have not been to the original. Yet. Have to see these unique things before they disappear; because they are and I'm sure this piece of Americana will too in the not too distant future.

TexasRaf

Worth seeing if in Skokie-Lincolnwood. The replica is simply astounding

krueg

The building has nothing specific to do-except when the Community hosts small concerts in the late summer. Otherwise, no attraction, just stop to view.

wintercat

Kind of wierd. Just sits there near a Target! Not much to see.

Banff22

It's been here a long time. Originally a club it has been a YMCA for years. Wouldn't say it is worth a trip. I used to climb around in there when I was a kid and it was an abandoned site.

SethM462

I find you Yanks fascinating and so when I was in charge of picking sightseeing spots and places of interest I had to plan a way to get here!Yes it's bizarre, yes it's not the cleanest of areas, yes there is a lot of people coming in and out of the YMCA that the tower is situated beside but this is worth a look.It's fantastically tacky, there was no real reason to do this. But just embrace it!

RUDY WOLF

a nice replica of the real thing, it makes you look at it twice.

Donquixotte

..and I'm from Italy. This just sucks! Go see the original and don't even think about this tacky copy.

fififarley

Eh, grew up with it down the road from me. It's no big deal.