Grand staircases, state-shaped pools, and bowling alleys: Photos show every state governor's mansion

After a long day serving constituents, governors return home to sprawling, historic buildings.

They're welcomed by 20-foot entranceways; their heels ring out on marble floors. If it's been a particularly grim day, they can wash it away with a swim in their state-shaped pool.

These official houses, found in 45 out of the 50 states, are meant to evoke the pride of their area. Arizona, Idaho, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Vermont are the only states without a designated mansion.

Life in a governor's mansion is more public than a normal home. Often, visitors can take tours, and security can be heavy. Careful household budgeting is necessary to avoid criticism from the media or constituents. Some governors have chastised reporters for calling it a mansion, telling them to call it a "residence" instead.

With the midterms coming up in November, governors' mansions across the US could welcome new residents if incumbents are unseated in the 2026 elections.

Here's what the governors' mansions look like in every state that has one.

Alabama's 117-year-old state mansion, with a grand staircase and four Corinthian columns, has been the residence of the governor since 1951, according to the Office of the Alabama Governor. The mansion spans two floors and 8,500 square feet.

In the 1970s, a state-shaped swimming pool, a guest house, and a water feature were added.

The mansion was built for $40,000 in 1912. To deal with the cold, the 12,900-square-foot house has eight fireplaces for its 26 rooms.

Above a winding staircase hangs a large painting of Russian emperor Peter the Great, who was responsible for Russia's exploration of Alaska. The painting has BB-gun bullets near Peter's eyes, and there has been a decadeslong controversy over who pulled the trigger, local news channel KTUU reported.

Since 1913, the mansion has opened to the public once a year for a tour at Christmas, according to Alaska's Office of the Governor.

Arizona does not currently have a governor's mansion, but it did once. A 150-year-old log cabin on the Sharlot Hall Museum campus used to be the governor's mansion in Prescott. It was only used for about two years before the capital left Prescott, KJZZ Phoenix reported.