100 Hobbies For Men: A Gentleman's Guide To Leisure Time (2024)

Find Your New Favorite Hobby Today!

Having a hobby is a great way to pursue an interest outside of work, home, and family. In this article, we’re going to cover over 100 hobbies that we think are particularly well-suited for Classic Gentlemen. We have carefully selected these hobbies to ensure that they are suitable for men with all types of interests and of all ages and abilities, talents, and skill sets.

If you are looking to try out a new hobby, this article is for you. The list below is grouped by types of activities, with the hobbies within each subgroup appearing in alphabetical order. Our overarching groupings are:

• Athletics & Games
• Collecting
• Exploration
• Skills
• Social

This list will cover options for men who enjoy active outdoor hobbies as well as relaxing indoor ones. Likewise, these hobbies cover a range of budgets and time limits. We draw from several of the most popular hobbies for men but have also included a few that may not have occurred to you! Whether you are interested in adventure, self-improvement, or are just looking for a fun hobby, we are sure that you’ll find your perfect hobby in this list!

Athletics & Games

Archery

Billiards

Now a televised sport, snooker, pool, and other billiard games take skill, strategy, and a competitive nature. Something that can be done casually or competitively, it is a great way to meet new people and pursue perfection in a challenging game. Just watch out for pool sharks!

Board and Role Playing Games

A great way to spend time with friends and family, there are many game clubs that meet regularly. Conversely, a weekly game with friends or family can be a wonderful way to spend a day. One of Raphael’s favorite board games is Settlers of Catan: add the Cities & Knights Expansion for up to 4 people. For more, get the extensionand also for the base game. Raphael loves this game because it is different every time, and you can adjust the balance between skill and luck to your heart’s content.

Bowling

Bowling used to be one of the most popular pastimes. Today, the trend remains strong in some circles. There are bowling leagues and teams for all skill levels, and you don’t need to invest a lot of money or time in many of them. In fact, some bowling alleys offer classes, and a few even give you a free ball for signing up.

Camping

Getting back to the outdoors is something many men crave, and camping is considered one of the truly manly hobbies. From building shelter and sleeping on the ground to cooking over an open fire, there is nothing more relaxing and masculine than roughing it for a weekend outdoors. It is also a great way to bond with your family and friends while escaping technology, work, and the pressures of daily life.

Canoeing & Kayaking

Car Racing

You don’t have to own a sponsored Ferrari to race cars. Many cities have boxcar, stock car, and other inexpensive races. Some even have race nights where amateurs can race their personal cars. For those who enjoy the thrill of racing, this can be a very worthwhile hobby worth investing in: there are even racing schools at which you can take lessons.

Chess

It takes a sharp mind to play chess, but it also takes a willingness to practice and learn. Skill, intellect, and strategy all play a role. For the intellectual or those who love strategy, chess can be a brilliant way to spend time.

Coaching

Whether it’s for your kid’s soccer team or mentoring someone, being a coach is fun, worthwhile and makes a difference in someone else’s life. You’ll also build your leadership and relationship-building skills.

Darts

Practice makes perfect, and darts are one sport where the pursuit of perfection is of utmost importance. It’s a wonderful hobby, and many find it relaxing as well as competitive.

Dog Training

Drone Flying

From aerial photography to mid-air tricks, drone flying is incredibly popular and fun. There are many types of drones at all price points, and it can be fun to build one yourself—but in terms of picture quality, features and bang for the buck, the Phantom 4 is where it’s at.

Fencing

Historic, elegant, and daring, taking up fencing is challenging, fun, and great exercise. It also never hurts to understand the rudiments of self-defense with a foil!

Fishing

Flying

Pilots say it’s the best feeling in the world. If you’re interested in aircraft and flying, consider taking lessons. Many people argue that the cost is too high, but you can often find small planes for the price of a car or rent a plane for personal use. It can also turn into a great career, and many commercial pilots started out doing it as a hobby.

Golf

The most frustrating and relaxing sport in the world, you either love or hate golf. If you love it or like it, consider doing it more often.

Hiking

A casual hike through the woods or an adrenaline-pumping climb through the wilderness, hiking can be very relaxing and thought-provoking, as well as a great source of exercise.

Horseback Riding

Challenging, fun, and also relaxing, some people even consider it therapy. There is a very special bond developed between a man and his horse. But you’ll have to try it to understand it.

Hunting and Shooting

Whether you enjoy hunting large game, small prey, or plinking varmints, or just shooting at a target, hunting and shooting can be a very enjoyable hobby that requires patience, perseverance, problem-solving, and skill development.

Marathon Running

You can’t just wake up one morning and run 10 miles. Marathon runners train regularly. Running can quickly go from a chore done to exercise to a passion that fuels you and relaxes you. Many claim the pavement is the world’s greatest therapy.

Martial Arts and Boxing

Skill, strategy, and passion. Learning martial arts or boxing is less about learning how to fight and more about learning life skills. It takes discipline, perseverance, and years of practice to gain any level of proficiency. It’s a skill many consider a passion. When necessary, the skills that you have learned can also be used for self-defense.

Mountain Biking and Cycling

The breeze in your face and the rush of the ground moving beneath your feet — riding a bike is a great form of exercise and something many cyclists enjoy.

Mountaineering

Climbing mountains aren’t for everyone, but for the true adrenaline junkie, there isn’t anything quite like it.

Pinball and Arcade Games

Classic pinball and arcade games have made a comeback, and there are many who enjoy these games and play them competitively. There’s a reason Nintendo is bringing back the original console. People still love classic arcade games.

Poker

A great way to regularly enjoy the company of friends, a poker game can be a source of fellowship and competition. More than just a card game, it is something of a right of passage for many men who have derived so much pleasure from the joy of the game and meeting new friends across the table.

Racquetball

Competitive, fast-paced, and challenging, it’s a gentlemanly sport that will make you sweat. We love this Gearbox Racquet because it provides great power, feeling, and the ability to outlast other brands.

Rock Climbing

Whether it’s bouldering side-to-side or climbing and rappelling down, rock climbing is a fun and challenging hobby enjoyed by many. For some, it’s done on a rock climbing wall at the gym, while others get so immersed they put a rock wall on the side of their house. Others still venture to cliffs outdoors.

Sailing

Fun, competitive, and also relaxing, you can learn to sail to race or just to cruise and relax.

Scuba Diving and Snorkelling

Experiencing life underwater like a fish is quite incredible. Whether you want a terrifying encounter with sharks or a relaxing exploration of rocks and tropical fish, learning to scuba dive or snorkel can be challenging and fun.

Skiing

The cold air hitting your face, carving the snow with your skis; whether you ski downhill or cross-country, there is a feeling of bliss and excitement when you battle the cold and glide through the snow.

Surfing

Survival & Prepping

Some enjoy hitting the wild with nothing but their skills. Others spend countless hours prepping safe rooms for the apocalypse. Either way, it never hurts to be prepared.

Swimming

In addition to being a great way to keep in shape, swimming is a life skill everyone should learn to do, and it’s also fun, refreshing, and relaxing for many.

Tennis

A quintessential sport for the gentleman, tennis is a great way to get in some exercise while enjoying time with others. Consider joining a local tennis club if you are new to the sport!

Weightlifting

Yoga

It’s an excellent way to combine stay in shape with meditation and stretching. It provides a sense of enlightenment for many, and it’s relaxing.

Collecting

Antiquing

From flea markets to antique stores, auction houses to pawn shops, one person’s trash is another man’s treasure. Quite often, rare collectibles and artifacts can be found and acquired for pennies on the dollar in comparison to their original retail price. If you have an exceptional taste but a small budget, focusing on quality heirloom and vintage pieces can net you the best deals. The process of searching out the perfect item and haggling for the best price are the two keys to enjoying this hobby.

Car Collecting

The actual act of buying a Hyundai or Toyota isn’t a hobby, but for those passionate about cars, the thrill of finding them, caring for them, and driving them is absolutely a hobby that takes considerable time, investment, and effort. Whether you collect supercars, classic cars, or muscle cars, there are car clubs and shows that prove why car collecting is such a popular hobby for many men.

Cigar Collecting and Savoring

Obviously, excessive smoking is associated with negative health affects, and you should take this into consideration when deciding on whether to adopt this hobby. In moderation, however, we believe that there is a great deal to enjoy when it comes to collecting and savoring cigars. A big part of the hobby is collecting, caring for, aging, cutting, and lighting your unique finds.

Fountain Pens

Versatile and useful tools that can also be objects of beauty, fountain pens are an excellent option for all kinds of collectors. In fact, in addition to collecting cufflinks, Raphael was also once an avid collector of fountain pens. Available at all price points, fountain pens are an accessible way to get into collecting, and it doesn’t hurt that you get to use them as writing tools, as well!

Interior Design

Decorating your home for pleasure, interior design is one hobby many elegant gentlemen enjoy. Half of the fun is realizing it can be a lifelong process and not just a one-time activity. This hobby pairs well with antiquing.

Model Crafting and Collecting

From model trains and cars to wooden sailboats and ships in a bottle, many men enjoy the act of constructing a model and building a world around it.

Philately (Stamp Collecting)

Thrifting

Hitting up thrift shops, flea markets, and vintage stores is like Disneyland for dandies. It’s a great way to save money and hunt for vintage pieces. Whether it be clothing, furniture or accessories, it can be very addictive.

Vinyl Record Collecting

Those who do it argue nothing sounds the same as vinyl. It’s made a comeback and collecting records is something many people enjoy both for the hunt of finding rare and vintage records as well as for actually listening to them.

Watch Collecting

Those who collect watches will tell you it’s more than just buying a watch. A timepiece is a work of art, and many men spend countless hours researching, admiring, and caring for their watch collections.

Wine Collecting and Tasting

Enjoying fine wine and collecting rare wines is something many men enjoy. For quite a few, the act of collecting doesn’t always mean drinking it but finding rare wine to complete a part of their collection.

Exploration

Astronomy

You may not have fulfilled your childhood dream of becoming an astronaut, but looking at the stars is something everyone can do. Whether a serious pastime of charting starsor a casual peek through the telescope, this is an outdoor activity that can be serene and captivating.

Bird Watching

Spotting beautiful birds is one part of this hobby, but there are many ways to enjoy it. Many bird watchers can spend countless hours learning about various species and types of birds, watching their migratory habits and even photographing or drawing the birds in their natural environment. If you’re looking for a way to reconnect with nature, bird watching is a beautiful way to spend a day.

Film History

From learning about films of the past and present to watching the most iconic films ever produced, this is a wonderful way to spend a few hours as little or as often as you like. We also appreciate that classic cinema offers countless examples of impeccable style that you can emulate.

Fish Keeping

It takes great care, attention to detail, and effort to keep fish, but having an aquarium can be breathtakingly beautiful. A hobby for many men, this isn’t as simple as buying a goldfish and putting it in a tank. It can often mean a substantial investment of time and money. Anyone who does it will argue it’s always worth it.

Journaling

Blogging is a great way to share your thoughts with the world, but journaling is a way to keep those thoughts or memories private. It’s expressive and can be a great stress reliever, and journals will allow you to relive what you were doing, thinking, and experiencing years later.

Knife Making

From designing and carving the handle to shaping and sharpening the blade, if you enjoy the beauty of a knife, creating your own will result in an unbelievable feeling of pride.

Learning a Language

It may be learning a second language for daily use at work or a foreign one for travels to another part of the world. Learning a language can be fun, open you up to new experiences, and it’s challenging. To start, get Duolingo downloaded. It’s free, and you can progress quickly at your own pace.

Leather Working

Whether it’s belts, handbags, or just scraps of leather, learning to work with leather can be an artistic and relaxing way to spend many hours.

Listening to Music

We get it; everyone listens to music. However, many people do it as a hobby. They immerse themselves in a genre or artist and pay close attention to the nuances others may miss. From music history to the feeling behind the song, listening to music can be an incredible way to enjoy your free time.

Meditation

If you need to relax, there isn’t anything quite like learning to meditate.

Men’s Clothing

For many of our readers and all of our editorial staff, collecting and caring for men’s clothing is something we absolutely consider a hobby. For us, owning fiveblazers isn’t a necessity. It’s a pastime, and in addition to the acquisition of apparel, it’s also about the creativity of crafting the perfect outfit and then doing it again the next day.

Metal Working

Welding isn’t simply reserved for building bridges and pipefitting. It can also be an art and a beautiful one at that.

Motorcycling

Anyone with a motorcycle will tell you it’s a passion. People aren’t buying them because it’s a necessity. It’s about the journey, not the destination.

Pipe Smoking

Like cigars, this is a passion. There is a certain feeling one gets when smoking a pipe. An enjoyment that can’t be understood by those who haven’t tried it. There is truly nothing more relaxing for many men than smoking a pipe. Be aware, however, of the health impact inherent to all tobacco use.

Poetry

Whether it be writing or reading poetry, an appreciation for the lyrical world will be sure to enrich every aspect of your life.

Reading

For those who enjoy reading, there is no greater hobby. A good book will immerse you in a fantasy world you’ll never want to leave, and book clubs can bring together reading enthusiasts to discuss the meaning behind their mutual hobby.

Renovating

Whether it be flipping houses for profit or upgrading your own home, many men keep a renovating job on the go at all times. It may be simple or complex, but it’s a sense of pride to complete a project.

Robotics

You can buy kits or develop them from scratch, but robots are becoming increasingly popular. Building your own is just as much fun as using it after.

Sculpting

Creating sculptures is like painting in 3D. It’s an art that requires significant time and personal investment, but can also be very gratifying.

Travel

A passion and hobby for many, travel can be as simple as a day trip to a town you’ve never visited or a vacation on the other side of the world in the tradition of the grand tour.

Whisky Tasting

There is a process. This isn’t pouring Jim Beam into a glass of cola and pounding it back. It’s a passion for fine whiskey. Developing your taste for enjoying whisky and similar fine spirits will ornament your life and make every sip a memorable experience.

Skills

Barbecuing, Grilling, and Smoking

Barbecuing low and slow requires patience, skill, and creativity. Whether you choose to compete or just enjoy smoking some ribs for your family, barbecuing can be a leisurely hobby with delicious results. And what is more fun than lighting up the grill, preparing the perfect meal, and then enjoying the fruits of your labor?

Boat Making, Shipwriting, or Nautical Restoration

Some of the most treasured boats on the water are the ones made or restored by their owners. There is nothing quite like the feeling a man gets when he has crafted something he loves by hand. If you enjoy boating and building, you will likely love crafting your own boat.

Bonsai Tree Sculpting

Patience, effort, and artistry are three traits those who prune bonsai trees need. It takes time and commitment to do it right, and it can be a very rewarding, relaxing, and unexpectedly creative hobby for many.

Car Restoration

Being a mechanic is a job, but restoring your own car from the ground up is a passion. Taking a beat-up pile of metal and turning it into a shining, powerful restoration car is something you can be proud of, and classic car restoration is one of the most popular hobbies for men today. Sure, there is an investment, and you may not be able to do everything by yourself, but it can be a hobby you’ll enjoy for years before a single car is fully restored … provided that the work doesn’t grind your gears!

Cartooning and Animation

Ceramics and Pottery

Requiring care, patience, and a soft hand, not to mention creativity and a willingness to learn, pottery is an ancient practical skill that has become a stimulating and fun hobby. In fact, crafting pottery can even be compared to poetry. Pottery is a great way to relax and get creative.

Coffee Roasting

It takes a lot of work to make the perfect cup of joe! Dedication and skill are involved, and like cooking, roasting coffee can be a thoroughly enjoyable way to pass the time.

Cooking

From the art of crafting a sandwich to creating beautiful dishes worthy of a Michelin star, cooking is a passion that helps feed your day-to-day needs as well as your personal interests.

Dancing

Stay fit and have fun by signing up for a dance class. Be it with your spouse or on your own to meet other people, there is something very fulfilling about learning to dance and embracing your inner connection to the Greek muse Terpsichore. Whether you like ballroom dancing or break dancing, the important thing is to keep moving and have fun!

Distilling

Aging spirits or crafting your own whiskey and spirits has never been more popular. Consider an inexpensive kit to get you started, and move on from there once you’ve decided it’s a hobby you enjoy.

Furniture Making and Restoration

It takes time, artistry, and skill to craft furniture, but it will last for generations if well-made and cared for.

Gardening and Backyard Farming

Caring for a garden is much like caring for animals. It takes effort, but it’s worth it. For those who enjoy it, it is very much a passion and is rather inexpensive to take up. Backyard farming is the latest trend in gardening to take off, and it can be a great physical hobby that also pays dividends in homegrown fruits and vegetables.

Glass Blowing

Like pottery and other art, glass blowing is not something you can pick up overnight. It is an ongoing experience of learning, but it is very relaxing and great fun to see the results. Because a glass kiln can represent a very hefty initial investment, consider first trying out glass blowing at a local studio.

Home Brewing

You may have tried a homemade beer that tasted like swill, but rest assured, not all home brews are bad. Some of the best craft beers started as a home brew. It’s all about how much effort you put into it, and these days home brewing stores for beer brewing are popping up everywhere.

Hot-Sauce Making

Investing

You don’t need millions of dollars to invest in the stock market. There are penny stocks and forex that can be traded for small amounts of money. In fact, you can even open practice accounts that don’t require any investment. But it can be addictive and very risky, so use caution and never bet more than you’re willing to lose.

Painting

Beautiful self-expression, relaxation, and attention to detail,painting is a hobby you don’t need to be good at to enjoy.

Photography

Whether it’s on your smart phone or through the lens of a professional camera, photography is a passion and hobby many creatives enjoy. It has the potential to be a lifelong pursuit, and there are many ways to enjoy it. Landscape, fashion, and family photography are just a few of the directions you can take this hobby. Learning about lenses, cameras, aperture, ISO, shutter speed, composition, editing, and lighting is sure to keep an aspiring photographer busy. We love the detail of the Nikon D810.

Pipe Making

For the beginner, you can buy kits to learn the basics of pipe making. As you get more involved, you may learn to craft a pipe from scratch. For the pipe smoker, this is an elevated way to enjoy a relaxing hobby.

Playing an Instrument

Whether it be the guitar, harmonica, piano, or violin; learning to play an instrument takes practice and devotion but can be very rewarding.

Urban Farming

It could be beekeeping, botany, or growing your own food — urban farming has proven you don’t need a field to have a farm. All you need is an interest and willingness to learn. Today, people do it on rooftops in Manhattan, indoor gardens when no outdoor space is available, or in their backyards in the suburbs.

Videography

Capturing moving memories. It may be creating amateur films, documentaries, or just your kid’s milestones and events. Videography and editing are something many people enjoy, and it doesn’t have to be expensive as it once was.

Whittling

You may not actually be carving something specific. It may be mindless whittling of a random stick with your pocket knife or a detailed handheld carving. However, many men find it very relaxing to whittle.

Wine Making

Like brewing beer, wine-making is an art, and you get what you put into it. If you spend a great deal of time perfecting your wine, you can end up with something rather glorious and very gratifying.

Wood Working

Social

Animal Rescue

Whether it’s opening your home to foster animals or helping to feed and find homes for strays, this hobby is a great way to channel your love for animals into a productive activity. There is even a contingent of people who rescue exotic animals like big cats, deadly snakes, or unusual insects.

Blogging

Some do it professionally, but others do it for fun. Not only can blogging be a great way to diarize your thoughts and feelings, but it can serve as a wonderful connection point to an audience similar to yourself in the wider world of social media. It can be a way to explore further a hobby or a way to seek out a supportive community for those who are ill, dealing with tragedy, or simply need to vent. It doesn’t have to be open for the world to read, but it can be a way to show the world who you are. The Gentleman’s Gazette started off as a blog to share Sven Raphael Schneider’spassion for Classic Menswear with others. You can start for free at wordpress.com, but it’s better if you get your own domain and install wordpress.org. Who knows? Your blog could someday become a YouTube channel, too!

Community Activism and Involvement

Giving back to the community is something many of us enjoy. If you don’t stand up for your community, who will?

Culinary Experiences

Food trips, competitive eating, and trying new exotic cuisines are hobbies many men enjoy and one that can take you out of your comfort zone and introduce you to the world.

Dandyism

It’s not just about the clothes. It’s the pursuit of an elegant lifestyle. And it really is that: a lifestyle. What begins as a hobby — collecting, grooming, and decorating — can quickly turn into a passion and then into a lifestyle. Dandies don’t generally consider it a hobby. It becomes who they are, and it’s exhibited in all aspects.

Entertaining and Event Hosting

From throwing formal dinner parties to casual co*cktail parties, developing a theme and planning an event is as much fun as attending one. If you enjoy hosting events, consider making it a regular part of your socialroutine. If you have a talent, like singing or being able to play a musical instrument, consider putting a concerto for the fun and amusem*nt of your friend!

Have You Heard Preston Sing Yet? Check It Out!

Fellowship

Joining a social club, private member club, or fraternity can be a great way to meet like-minded men and share in the fellowship and camaraderie of others. Popular men’s groups include The Elks, The Freemasons, The Lions Club, and The Knights of Columbus.

Genealogy

Live Theater

Live plays, Broadway musicals, and the opera or ballet; taking in a show is a culturally rich way to spend an evening.

Volunteering and Mentoring

Making a difference in the world can be one of the most worthwhile and meaningful hobbies any man can have. It’s very rewarding and can be sitting on the board of a community organization or mentoring youth through programs like Big Brothers.

Conclusion