12 Fairytale Buildings From New York To California Shaped Like Shoes, Shells, And Animals

Across America, architects have unleashed their wildest imaginations to create buildings that look nothing like traditional structures.

From giant ducks to enormous shoes, these whimsical constructions transform ordinary landscapes into storybook scenes.

Join me on a coast-to-coast journey to discover architectural oddities that will make you feel like you’ve stepped into a fairytale world.

1. The Big Duck – Flanders, New York

Originally built in 1931 by duck farmer Martin Maurer, this 20-foot-tall concrete duck once served as a shop selling ducks and eggs. Local residents rallied to save the beloved landmark when it faced demolition in the 1980s.

Now listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the quirky structure stands as a visitor center and gift shop, delighting travelers with its charming duck-shaped glory.

2. Longaberger Basket Building – Newark, Ohio

Imagine working inside a giant picnic basket! Until 2016, employees of the Longaberger Company did exactly that in their seven-story headquarters shaped like the company’s bestselling product.

Complete with giant handles that weigh 75 tons each, this 180,000-square-foot architectural marvel took two years to build and cost $32 million. Despite the company’s closure, the basket remains an iconic roadside attraction.

3. Lucy the Elephant – Margate, New Jersey

Standing six stories tall since 1881, Lucy ranks as America’s oldest surviving roadside attraction. Built by real estate developer James Lafferty to attract property buyers, this pachyderm-shaped building has served as a tavern, cottage, and tourist office throughout its storied history.

Visitors can climb stairs inside Lucy’s leg to reach observation decks offering spectacular Atlantic Ocean views.

4. Big Chicken – Marietta, Georgia

Hungry travelers can’t miss this KFC location featuring a 56-foot-tall steel chicken with moving eyes and beak. Built in 1963 for Johnny Reb’s Chick-Chuck-‘N’-Shake restaurant, the towering fowl nearly faced demolition after storm damage in 1993.

Public outcry saved this beloved landmark, now serving as both a functioning fast-food restaurant and a popular navigational reference point for locals giving directions around Marietta.

5. Haines Shoe House – York, Pennsylvania

Shoe salesman Mahlon Haines built this whimsical five-story high-top work boot in 1948 as an advertising gimmick. Newlyweds lucky enough to receive an invitation from Haines enjoyed free stays inside the unusual guesthouse during its early years.

Guided tours reveal charming interior spaces including an ice cream parlor in the instep. Overnight stays are now available for visitors seeking truly unique accommodations.

6. Brown Derby – Los Angeles, California

Hollywood history lives in this iconic restaurant shaped like a giant man’s derby hat. Opened in 1926 across from the Ambassador Hotel, the original Brown Derby became a celebrity hotspot where the Cobb salad was invented.

While the famous hat-shaped building was demolished in 1980, a smaller version sits atop a shopping plaza, preserving a piece of classic Hollywood architecture that appeared in countless films and television shows.

7. The Whale House – Santa Barbara, California

Architect Michael Carmichael created this extraordinary home resembling a beached whale in 1978. Curved walls, porthole windows, and a distinctive fluke-shaped roof make this private residence a beloved local landmark admired from nearby public areas.

Sustainable materials and natural lighting showcase environmentally conscious design principles. Architecture students frequently visit to study its innovative organic form that harmonizes with the coastal landscape.

8. Dog Bark Park Inn – Cottonwood, Idaho

Married artists Dennis Sullivan and Frances Conklin welcome guests to sleep inside the world’s biggest beagle. Nicknamed “Sweet Willy,” this 30-foot-tall canine-shaped bed and breakfast contains a second-floor bedroom accessed by stairs in the dog’s rear leg.

Handcrafted dog carvings decorate the interior spaces, reflecting the owners’ woodworking talents. Guests rave about both the novelty of the accommodations and the warm hospitality of the artistic couple.

9. The Clam Shell – Margate City, New Jersey

Just down the beach from Lucy the Elephant stands another maritime-inspired structure resembling a massive open clamshell. Built in the 1950s as a unique retail space, the building’s scalloped edges and pearl-white exterior create a striking seaside landmark.

Housing various businesses throughout its history, including an ice cream shop and souvenir store, the shell-shaped building captures the playful spirit of New Jersey’s coastal architecture tradition.

10. Big Fish Building – Bena, Minnesota

Anglers flock to photograph this fish-shaped tackle shop and restaurant along Highway 2. Originally constructed in 1958, the 65-foot-long muskie features a gaping mouth entrance and scales fashioned from tin siding.

Featured in National Geographic and countless road trip guides, this fishing-themed roadside attraction perfectly captures Minnesota’s lake culture. Visitors can purchase bait, grab a quick meal, and snap memorable photos all in one quirky stop.

11. Giant Artichoke – Castroville, California

Celebrating Castroville’s title as “Artichoke Capital of the World,” this 20-foot concrete vegetable has greeted hungry travelers since 1963. Attached to a restaurant specializing in artichoke-focused cuisine, the oversized green sculpture makes an unmistakable roadside statement.

Visitors learn about local agricultural history while sampling fried artichoke hearts and artichoke soup. Marilyn Monroe was once crowned Castroville’s Artichoke Queen, adding Hollywood glamour to this quirky vegetable’s legacy.

12. The Big Apple – Colborne, New York

Motorists traveling along Highway 401 can’t miss the 35-foot-tall bright red apple housing a bakery and gift shop. Built in 1987 to attract customers to a local orchard, this fruity structure sells award-winning apple pies and cider.

Visitors climb interior stairs to reach observation windows offering countryside views. Fall weekends bring crowds of leaf-peepers and families seeking seasonal treats from this deliciously distinctive landmark.