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Race To the White House
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Politics

What U.S. Presidents do for fun

Updated 1:33 PM EST, Fri February 5, 2016
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In addition to regularly playing golf, President Barack Obama also enjoys a game of basketball. Here's a look at the hobbies of other U.S. Presidents:
In addition to regularly playing golf, President Barack Obama also enjoys a game of basketball. Here's a look at the hobbies of other U.S. Presidents:
MANDEL NGAN/AFP/Getty Images
After choosing not to run for a third term, George Washington retired to his Virginia estate and led a life of farming.
After choosing not to run for a third term, George Washington retired to his Virginia estate and led a life of farming.
Library of congress
Thomas Jefferson was a renaissance man before the White House and continued to be one afterward. He kept up extensive letter writing, read Plato's "Republic" in its original Greek and dived head first into his hallmark project -- founding the University of Virginia. Jefferson designed the university's grounds and curriculum.
Thomas Jefferson was a renaissance man before the White House and continued to be one afterward. He kept up extensive letter writing, read Plato's "Republic" in its original Greek and dived head first into his hallmark project -- founding the University of Virginia. Jefferson designed the university's grounds and curriculum.
Popperfoto/Getty Images
Theodore Roosevelt, possibly the most famous sportsman to occupy the White House, continued to hunt after leaving office. In 1909, with the backing of the Smithsonian Institution, Roosevelt went on <a href="http://www.theodoreroosevelt.org/site/c.elKSIdOWIiJ8H/b.8344379/k.2B69/The_HUNTER.htm" target="_blank" target="_blank">a yearlong safari</a> that killed or trapped more than 11,000 animals.
Theodore Roosevelt, possibly the most famous sportsman to occupy the White House, continued to hunt after leaving office. In 1909, with the backing of the Smithsonian Institution, Roosevelt went on a yearlong safari that killed or trapped more than 11,000 animals.
Library of congress
Warren G. Harding was an avid golfer. Golf courses in <a href="http://www.golf.lacity.org/cdp_harding.htm" target="_blank" target="_blank">Los Angeles</a> and <a href="http://www.tpc.com/tpc-harding-park" target="_blank" target="_blank">San Francisco</a> were named after him.
Warren G. Harding was an avid golfer. Golf courses in Los Angeles and San Francisco were named after him.
Library of congress
Franklin D. Roosevelt, the only President elected four times, collected stamps throughout his life.
Franklin D. Roosevelt, the only President elected four times, collected stamps throughout his life.
Library of congress
Harry S. Truman always loved to play the piano. His mother <a href="http://www.trumanlibrary.org/kids/piano.htm" target="_blank" target="_blank">was his first piano teacher.</a>
Harry S. Truman always loved to play the piano. His mother was his first piano teacher.
CBS Photo Archive/Getty Images
After leaving the White House, Dwight D. Eisenhower headed to a 189-acre farm near Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, where he raised and bred award-winning Angus cattle. In 2009, 40 years after his death, the American Angus Association recognized the 34th president for making "significant contributions to the Angus breed."
After leaving the White House, Dwight D. Eisenhower headed to a 189-acre farm near Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, where he raised and bred award-winning Angus cattle. In 2009, 40 years after his death, the American Angus Association recognized the 34th president for making "significant contributions to the Angus breed."
Ed Clark//Time Life Pictures/Getty Images
Like many members of the Kennedy family, John F. Kennedy loved sailing and was frequently photographed at sea with his wife, young children and other relatives.
Like many members of the Kennedy family, John F. Kennedy loved sailing and was frequently photographed at sea with his wife, young children and other relatives.
everett collection
Lyndon B. Johnson kept a collection of vehicles at his ranch in Texas. Among them was the <a href="http://www.nps.gov/lyjo/planyourvisit/presidentialvehicles.htm" target="_blank" target="_blank">Amphicar</a>, a civilian amphibious passenger car produced in the 1960s.
Lyndon B. Johnson kept a collection of vehicles at his ranch in Texas. Among them was the Amphicar, a civilian amphibious passenger car produced in the 1960s.
LBJ Library photo by Yoichi Okamoto
Richard Nixon and first lady Pat Nixon both liked to bowl. The Nixons were responsible for moving <a href="http://www.whitehousemuseum.org/floor0/bowling-alley.htm" target="_blank" target="_blank">the White House bowling alley back into the Executive Mansion</a> after it had been relocated years earlier to a nearby building.
Richard Nixon and first lady Pat Nixon both liked to bowl. The Nixons were responsible for moving the White House bowling alley back into the Executive Mansion after it had been relocated years earlier to a nearby building.
EVerett collection
Jimmy Carter and his wife, Rosalynn, began <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/1991/05/04/sports/outdoors-in-fly-fishing-carter-s-record-can-t-be-assailed.html" target="_blank" target="_blank">fly fishing</a> in Georgia in the early 1970s. Here, the 39th President fishes in Wyoming in 1978.
Jimmy Carter and his wife, Rosalynn, began fly fishing in Georgia in the early 1970s. Here, the 39th President fishes in Wyoming in 1978.
AP/File
Ronald Reagan enjoyed riding horses at his ranch near Santa Barbara, California.
Ronald Reagan enjoyed riding horses at his ranch near Santa Barbara, California.
Express/Getty Images
Crossword puzzles are one of Bill Clinton's hobbies. In 2007, Clinton <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/ref/crosswords/clintonpuz.html" target="_blank" target="_blank">wrote the clues</a> for a puzzle in The New York Times.
Crossword puzzles are one of Bill Clinton's hobbies. In 2007, Clinton wrote the clues for a puzzle in The New York Times.
Steve Liss//Time Life Pictures/Getty Images/File
George W. Bush has surprised many by taking up painting in his post-White House years. "I am a painter," the 43rd President told Jay Leno on "The Tonight Show." "You may not think I'm a painter; I think I'm a painter."
George W. Bush has surprised many by taking up painting in his post-White House years. "I am a painter," the 43rd President told Jay Leno on "The Tonight Show." "You may not think I'm a painter; I think I'm a painter."
Stacie McChesney/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank/getty images
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