The Unexpected Hobbies That Helped U.S. Presidents Handle the Pressure of Politics

Presidents might have some of the most demanding jobs in the world, but they're still human, and humans need hobbies. Believe it or not, each and every commander-in-chief has found ways to unwind outside of the political spotlight. And, for many presidents, their hobbies defined their personalities just as much as their speeches or policies. In many ways, their hobbies are extensions of what they believe in and how they ran the country during their time in office.

U.S. presidents have long embraced a surprising range of personal interests. Some took their hobbies seriously while in office, while others dove deeper into them during retirement, too busy running the country to spend too much time on less important matters. At the end of the day, these pastimes offer a more intimate lens into the lives of some of our most beloved presidents.

To compile this list of presidents with unexpected and fascinating hobbies, 24/7 Tempo drew on multiple sources, including White House History, Britannica, JSTOR, and the official websites of presidential libraries and museums. Let's see what these historic men were up to when they weren't running our nation.

Washington was apparently an exceptional dancer, often attending social functions where he showcased his skills. He also had a deep interest in breeding mules, believing they were superior work animals and could highly benefit American agriculture. His fascination with mule breeding actually led him to import donkeys from Spain, improving future generations of American livestock.

Jefferson had a myriad of hobbies: he designed his own home at Monticello, collected fossils and Native American artifacts, and frequently experimented with recipes and gardening. Jefferson also spoke several languages and kept detailed notes on every single one of his hobbies. Lifelong learning was one of his ideals, both in politics and his personal life.

An odd hobby, Adams reportedly swam nude in the Potomac River nearly every morning. He believed the cold water helped clear his mind and maintain his health. In fact, a journalist once secured an interview with Adams by sitting on his clothes, refusing to let him dress until he agreed. This morning ritual is akin to modern-day cold plunges and likely helped Adams' circulation throughout his life.

Jackson had a fiery temper and was known to resolve conflicts through duels, something that was considered a hobby of sorts back in the day. He also bred racehorses and often wagered large sums on their races, ensuring gambling became another one of the hobbies to get him through his presidency.

Lincoln is actually in the Wrestling Hall of Fame and is said to have won over 300 matches during his youth. Indeed, his height and athletic prowess earned him widespread respect long before he entered politics. Lincoln’s competitive spirit carried over into his political career, lending him perseverance and the ability to grapple with conflict easily.

Johnson was trained as a tailor, which is why he continued to sew long after he entered public office. Even as president, he was known to make his own suits and mend clothes by hand, reflecting his lifelong dedication to craftsmanship, practicality, and becoming a self-made man.

Arthur loved to fish and managed to find the time to travel for it, especially in upstate New York and Florida. He took extended fishing trips during his presidency, sometimes for weeks at a time. His passion for fishing is why some historians credit him with helping raise awareness for preserving our national parks and wilderness areas.

Roosevelt boxed regularly, practiced judo, and went on hunting expeditions across the U.S. and even Africa. He was also a voracious reader, reportedly consuming a book a day in between all of his responsibilities as President. He believed that vigorous activity was essential to building character, so he continued his hobbies while he was in office.

Coolidge had a strange hobby regardless of era: he rode a mechanical exercise horse in the White House to stay fit. The machine was designed to mimic the motion of horseback riding, and it became one of the more curious personal preferences of his presidency.

FDR managed to collect over a million stamps, believing this hobby to be an educational tool for young people. He also amassed a large private library and swam for rehabilitation following his polio diagnosis, making him a man of many hobbies and interests.

Eisenhower took up painting later in life as a form of stress relief. He ultimately produced hundreds of landscapes and portraits, giving them away as gifts. Many of them ended up displayed in the White House, and it truly became a hobby that helped him unwind after years of military and political service.

LBJ actually owned an amphibious vehicle, which he used to prank unsuspecting guests. It became well-known that he would drive straight into lakes on his Texas ranch while pretending the brakes had failed. While it's unclear how often he drove this vehicle outside of pranks, it was a beloved hobby of his throughout his presidency and beyond.

Nixon was an avid poker player during his military service and actually won thousands of dollars, something that funded his early campaigns. And as president, he installed a bowling lane in the White House basement, bowling alone late at night to decompress. His bowling lane still exists in the White House to this day.

Ford preferred exercise as his hobby, staying physically active throughout his life. He often swam laps in the White House pool and played tennis regularly. When he wasn't exercising, he collected stamps and maintained the same collection since childhood.

Carter handcrafted furniture in his spare time as president, then took up winemaking later in life. He also donated many of his creations to charity auctions and friends, preferring to work with his hands to benefit others rather than solely himself.

Reagan frequently rode horses at his California ranch both before and during his presidency, whenever he managed to make it back home. He used the rides to relax and hold informal meetings with friends and other politicians; it was also a great way to maintain his physical health well into his 70s.

Bush marked all of his milestone birthdays with parachute jumps of all things, including a daring one at the age of 90. He also loved horseshoes and organized tournaments at Camp David so that everyone could participate in his beloved, team-building hobby.

Clinton often played the saxophone on national TV and during campaign events, making him one of the few presidents with a musical hobby. He also enjoyed doing difficult crossword puzzles as a mental exercise, opting for daily newspapers and puzzle books on occasion.

Bush was a regular jogger and completed several races before and during his time in office, including a marathon. He often ran with military personnel and has stated that exercise was a major part of his stress management routine while he was president.

Obama grew up loving comic books, buying them as a child from a blind man who ran a local newsstand. He is also a big basketball fan, and by all reports, a decent player. In fact, when he first got to the White House, he converted the tennis court to a basketball court, playing frequent games with members of his administration.