9 homes fit for a fairy tale
Many children dream of stepping into fairy tales. When they become adults, those dreams inspire some of them to build their own fairy tale homes in the real world.
And not all fairy tales take place in castles. In York, Pennsylvania, a shoe salesman built a boot-shaped abode that looks like it could be the home of the legendary Woman Who Lived in a Shoe. In Isla Mujeres, Mexico, sits a conch shell-shaped home that could easily suit the Little Mermaid.
Some of the otherworldly properties on this list are even on the market: Want a home fit for Sleeping Beauty in Brooklyn, New York? It'll cost you $11 million. How about living like Cinderella in Prince Charming's castle? That's going for $45 million.
Whether you dreamed of your own fairy tale cottage in the woods or a Lost Boys-style tree hideaway, click through to see nine homes that might make you believe in happily-ever-after.
The Woman Who Lived in a Shoe
This unusual abode -- known as the Haines Shoe House -- was built along the Lincoln Highway in York, Pennsylvania, by shoe salesman Mahlon Haines in 1948 as an ad for his business. The five-story, two-bedroom home was originally rented out to couples (yes, people actually lived in the shoe), but now it's a tourist attraction.
It even has a shoe-shaped doghouse on-site.
Between the first day of spring and mid-November each year, visitors can take guided tours of the shoe for $5 or grab a frozen treat in the ice cream parlor located in the heel.
Sleeping Beauty
This home in Brooklyn, New York, looks like the perfect place for three good fairies to hide a cursed princess, doesn't it?
The six-bedroom, six-bathroom estate has views of Manhattan and the Verrazano Bridge and is often called "The Gingerbread House," according to the listing. Built in 1899, it includes stained-glass windows, intricate woodcarvings, hand-painted ceilings and several fireplaces.
The home is currently for sale with an asking price of almost $11 million.
Cinderella
Who knew Prince Charming lived in Connecticut?
This 22,377-square-foot, four-story castle in Woodstock, Connecticut, is surrounded by a man-made moat.
It has plenty of space -- with eight bedrooms and 8.5 bathrooms -- for Cinderella to bring all of her helpful mice with her when she moves in to join her prince in their happily-ever-after.
Sitting on over 75 acres of land, this palace is for sale. The owner is asking $45 million, and it's been on the market since September 2014.
Hansel and Gretel
The Spadena House, also known as "The Witch House of Beverly Hills," was built in 1920 and used as a set for several films, including a silent version of "Hansel and Gretel." A movie producer later bought the building, moved it to a lot he owned in Beverly Hills and turned it into a functioning home.
The current owner, who bought it in the late 1990s, restored the home and added custom cabinets, woodwork and mosaics, maintaining its whimsical fairy tale theme.
Peter Pan and the Lost Boys
The tree-like Hằng Nga Guesthouse in Da Lat, Vietnam, also known as the "Crazy House," was built in 1990 to resemble a giant tree, just like the one where Peter Pan and his friends built their hideout.
The five-story building was constructed without blueprints. Instead, local craftsmen worked from the designer's paintings.
Because designing and building the house was so expensive, architect Dang Viet Nga decided to open it as a 10-room guesthouse where visitors can stay in themed rooms. The furniture was hand built to match the rooms' individual themes -- from the Eagle Room to the Ant Room.
The Snow Queen
Hans Christian Andersen's "The Snow Queen" was the inspiration for Disney's hit film "Frozen," and this snow-white mansion would fit right in to either story.
Nearly every part of this Newburgh, Indiana, home -- inside and out -- is white as snow. Decorative trim on the exterior mimics icicles, giving it a chilly appearance even in summer.
The four-bedroom, five-bathroom home is on the market now for about $1.4 million.
The Little Mermaid
Ariel left the sea to live on land with Prince Eric, but that doesn't mean she would have to leave it completely behind her.
The Shell House in Isla Mujeres, Mexico, could be the perfect place for a homesick mermaid -- or a vacationer hoping to rent a unique place to stay. The house is shaped like a giant white conch shell, and the shell theme is repeated throughout the interior -- from furniture to light fixtures to faucets.
There's also a pool for days when the Little Mermaid is especially missing the ocean.
The two-bedroom house is available for rent at $249 per night.
Little Red Riding Hood
This quaint little cottage nestled in the New Hampshire woods is worthy of Little Red Riding Hood -- but it's probably safe to assume no hungry wolves are prowling outside.
The building was the gatekeeper's cottage on the Castle in the Clouds estate in Moultonborough, New Hampshire. The mansion and accompanying outbuildings were built in 1914 by Thomas Gustave Plant, who had made millions manufacturing shoes. He lost his fortune to some bad investments in the early 1940s, and the mountaintop property was auctioned off to settle his debts.
The estate is now a museum and a popular venue for weddings and other events.
Rapunzel
The Father Mathew Tower, located just outside Cork, Ireland, has a tower worthy of Rapunzel. It was completed in 1846 in honor of Father Theobold Mathew, who mounted a national temperance campaign in Ireland. It fell into disrepair but was restored in the 1990s by a carpenter named Eamonn O'Rourke.
The 6,500-square-foot home was listed for sale for €950,000 (just over $1 million) last year and has since been taken off the market.
One of the home's five bedrooms is located on the second floor of the three-story tower, fit for a long-haired princess.