Indiana is known as the Hoosier State and has a rich history and culture to explore. Riddles can be a fun way to learn more about different aspects of the state, from geography and famous residents to sports teams and traditions. In this article, we have collected 45 riddles about Indiana along with their answers. Some are easy to solve while others require deeper knowledge of the state. How many can you get right? Keep reading to test your Indiana knowledge!
Geography Riddles
Riddle 1
I’m a city in the northwest part of Indiana right on Lake Michigan. I’m home to Indiana Dunes National Park and was once known for its steel mills. What city am I?
Answer
Gary
Riddle 2
I’m a river that forms part of the border between Indiana and Illinois. My name comes from the French phrase meaning “river of the portage.” What river am I?
Answer
Wabash River
Riddle 3
I’m the capital and second largest city in Indiana. I’m home to the Indianapolis 500 car race. What city am I?
Answer
Indianapolis
Riddle 4
I’m a state park in southern Indiana known for its sandstone canyons, forests, and waterfalls. What park am I?
Answer
Hoosier National Forest
Riddle 5
I’m a city in northern Indiana along the St. Joseph River. I’m known as the “Orthopedic Capital of the World.” What city am I?
Answer
Warsaw
Riddle 6
I’m the largest and most populous city in northwest Indiana. I’m located at the southern tip of Lake Michigan. What city am I?
Answer
Hammond
Riddle 7
I’m a river that flows through southern Indiana and is known for its scenic limestone valley. Parts of me are protected as a National Wild and Scenic River. What river am I?
Answer
Blue River
Riddle 8
I’m a city in east central Indiana that’s home to Ball State University. I host one of the largest free festivals in the Midwest each summer. What city am I?
Answer
Muncie
History & Government Riddles
Riddle 9
I’m a Native American tribe that originally inhabited Indiana. My name means “original people” in my language. What tribe am I?
Answer
Miami tribe
Riddle 10
I was the first capital of the Indiana Territory established in 1800. I’m located along the Ohio River across from Louisville, Kentucky. What city am I?
Answer
Vincennes
Riddle 11
I’m a frontier heroine who helped defend Fort Harrison from a native attack during the War of 1812. I’m known as the “Heroine of Fort Harrison.” Who am I?
Answer
Anna Trotter
Riddle 12
I was an escaped slave who became a conductor on the Underground Railroad in Indiana before the Civil War. I helped hundreds gain their freedom. Who am I?
Answer
Levi Coffin
Riddle 13
I’m the tallest building in Indianapolis and an iconic part of the city’s skyline. I was built in the early 1900s and stand 535 feet tall. What building am I?
Answer
Soldiers and Sailors Monument
Riddle 14
I’m an early 20th century African American poet from Indiana who was known for writing about rural life. My most famous poem is called “The Creation.” Who am I?
Answer
James Weldon Johnson
Riddle 15
I’m the first and longest serving Chief Justice on the Supreme Court of Indiana. I helped write Indiana’s first state constitution. Who am I?
Answer
Isaac Blackford
Famous Residents Riddles
Riddle 16
I’m an astronaut born in Mitchell, Indiana who was the last man to walk on the moon during the Apollo 17 mission in 1972. Who am I?
Answer
Eugene Cernan
Riddle 17
I’m an actor born in Indianapolis who starred in films like “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” and “The Magnificent Seven.” Who am I?
Answer
Steve McQueen
Riddle 18
I’m a TV talk show host born in Kokomo, Indiana. My long-running nationally syndicated show ended in 2011 after 25 seasons. Who am I?
Answer
David Letterman
Riddle 19
I’m an actress born in Gary, Indiana who won an Oscar for my leading role in the 2004 film “Monster.” Who am I?
Answer
Charlize Theron
Riddle 20
I’m an Academy Award winning actor born in Indianapolis. I’m best known for films like “Pulp Fiction,” “Fargo” and “No Country for Old Men.” Who am I?
Answer
John C. Reilly
Riddle 21
I’m a pop singer and actress born in McCordsville, Indiana. I starred in TV shows like “Hannah Montana” and “Sonny with a Chance.” Who am I?
Answer
Demi Lovato
Riddle 22
I’m an actress born in Fort Wayne, Indiana. I’m best known for playing Elle Woods in the “Legally Blonde” movies. Who am I?
Answer
Reese Witherspoon
Riddle 23
I’m a race car driver born in Columbus, Indiana who won the Indianapolis 500 four times. My nicknames were “The Gas Man” and “Rapid Rick.” Who am I?
Answer
Rick Mears
Sports Team Riddles
Riddle 24
I’m a professional basketball team based in Indianapolis. Our players wear blue and gold uniforms. Who are we?
Answer
Indiana Pacers
Riddle 25
I’m a professional football team based in Indianapolis. Our quarterback led us to a Super Bowl victory in 2007. Who are we?
Answer
Indianapolis Colts
Riddle 26
I’m a Minor League baseball team based in Indianapolis. We’re the Triple-A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox. Who are we?
Answer
Indianapolis Indians
Riddle 27
I’m a college sports team that represents Indiana University. Our colors are crimson and cream and our mascot is the Hoosier. Who are we?
Answer
Indiana Hoosiers
Riddle 28
I’m a college football team representing Purdue University. Our identifying color is old gold and black. Who are we?
Answer
Purdue Boilermakers
Riddle 29
I’m a high school basketball team from tiny Milan, Indiana that won the state championship in 1954 inspiring the film “Hoosiers.” What team am I?
Answer
Milan Indians
State Symbols Riddles
Riddle 30
I’m the state tree of Indiana and known for my distinctive corky bark. Scientists call me Acer saccharum. What kind of tree am I?
Answer
Sugar maple
Riddle 31
I’m the state stone of Indiana, formed from fossilized coral. I come in a buff to grayish-blue color. What kind of rock am I?
Answer
Salem limestone
Riddle 32
I’m the state flower of Indiana. I’m a spring-blooming plant with showy pink and white flowers on a long stalk. What flower am I?
Answer
Peony
Riddle 33
I’m the state bird of Indiana, known for my bright red head and black wings. Scientists call me Cardinalis cardinalis. What bird am I?
Answer
Northern cardinal
Riddle 34
I’m the state insect of Indiana. I’m a large, noisy beetle named for the loud alarm I sound when threatened. What insect am I?
Answer
Say’s Firefly
Riddle 35
I’m the state river of Indiana, flowing southwest for almost 500 miles to the Ohio River. What major river am I?
Answer
Wabash River
Culture & Traditions Riddles
Riddle 36
I’m a nickname for a resident of Indiana. I’m derived from an early Indiana settler who was very tall and strong. What do you call me?
Answer
Hoosier
Riddle 37
I’m a type of racing car driven at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the iconic Indy 500 race. We have open wheels and can reach speeds over 230 mph. What are we?
Answer
IndyCars
Riddle 38
I’m a fried pork tenderloin sandwich that is popular fast food in Indiana. I’m made by breading and frying a flattened, tenderized pork cutlet. What am I called?
Answer
Indiana Tenderloin
Riddle 39
I’m a annual hot air balloon race held each summer in Anderson, Indiana. I’m said to be the largest such race in the Midwest. What event am I?
Answer
Midwest Balloon Fest
Riddle 40
I’m an annual county fair held in Indianapolis each August leading up to the Labor Day weekend. I’m one of the largest such fairs in the country. What fair am I?
Answer
Indiana State Fair
Riddle 41
I’m a festival held each April in Nashville, Indiana celebrating this flower as it blooms in the hills. What festival am I named for?
Answer
Nashville Daisy Days Festival
Riddle 42
I’m a festival held each September in Jasper, Indiana celebrating this food which the region is known for. What food festival am I?
Answer
Jasper Strassenfest
Indiana Fun Facts Riddles
Riddle 43
I’m the nickname of the city of Indianapolis dating back to its early days. I refer to the interurban rail system that used to connect the city. What do you call me?
Answer
India-no-place or Indynoplace
Riddle 44
I’m the nickname of the Indiana University men’s sports teams. I refer to the limestone mined in south central Indiana used to build the original campus. What do you call me?
Answer
Hoosiers or Limestone U
Riddle 45
I’m the number of US presidents who originally came from Indiana. Abraham Lincoln spent his boyhood years in southern Indiana. What number am I?
Answer
Six presidents (William Henry Harrison, Benjamin Harrison, Abraham Lincoln, Ulysses S. Grant, Grover Cleveland, and Benjamin Harrison)
Conclusion
How did you do with these Indiana riddles? The state has a rich history and culture just waiting to be explored. From famous figures like Abraham Lincoln and David Letterman to traditions like the Indy 500, there’s a fun fact or story around every corner. Learning more through riddles and puzzles can help bring the Hoosier State’s unique charm to life. Whether you’re an Indiana native or just visiting, testing your knowledge with these riddles is a great way to unlock the intrigue of America’s Crossroads!
