Kentucky is a state rich in history, culture, and natural wonders. From the rolling bluegrass pastures to the caves of Mammoth Cave National Park, there is so much that makes Kentucky unique. Let’s explore some of the curiosities of this state through 47 riddles!
Riddles about Kentucky Cities and Towns
Here are some riddles about the cities and towns of Kentucky:
Riddle 1
I’m the largest city in Kentucky, located on the Ohio River. My airport is one of the busiest cargo airports in the world. I host the Kentucky Derby each year. What city am I?
Answer: Louisville
Riddle 2
I’m known as the “Gateway to the Bluegrass.” I’m home to the Kentucky Horse Park. Daniel Boone is buried in my city cemetery. What historic city am I?
Answer: Lexington
Riddle 3
I’m located where the Licking River and Ohio River meet. I was an important shipping port in the 1800s. Today I’m known for my antique shops and art galleries. What northern Kentucky town am I?
Answer: Covington
Riddle 4
I’m the 3rd largest city in Kentucky. The National Corvette Museum and the Kentucky Museum of Art and Craft are located here. What south-central city am I?
Answer: Bowling Green
Riddle 5
I’m home to Kentucky Wesleyan College. Abraham Lincoln’s birthplace is located in my county at Hodgenville. What small Kentucky city am I?
Answer: Owensboro
Riddles about Kentucky Geography
Let’s explore the diverse geography of Kentucky with these riddles:
Riddle 6
I’m a long underground cave system located in Edmonson County. With over 400 miles mapped, I’m one of the longest caves in the world. What famous cave am I?
Answer: Mammoth Cave
Riddle 7
I’m a plateau region covering eastern Kentucky. My rocky forests inspired Daniel Boone to call me the “promised land.” What region am I?
Answer: The Cumberland Plateau
Riddle 8
I’m a limestone gorge located near Cumberland Falls. My steep cliffs, rock shelters, and natural bridges make me an impressive natural attraction. What Kentucky gorge am I?
Answer: Cumberland Gap
Riddle 9
I’m a western Kentucky river that flows for 259 miles. My name comes from the Native American word meaning “smoky water.” What major Kentucky river am I?
Answer: The Kentucky River
Riddle 10
I’m a spectacular waterfall found within Cumberland Falls State Resort Park. I’m one of the few places you can see a moonbow. What waterfall am I?
Answer: Cumberland Falls
Riddles about Kentucky History
Let’s learn about Kentucky’s storied past through these riddles:
Riddle 11
I’m a pioneer, soldier, and politician who helped found Lexington. I’m buried in Frankfort and have a college named after me. Who am I?
Answer: James Wilkinson
Riddle 12
I’m a 19th century statesman known as the Great Compromiser. My namesake university is located in Lexington. Who am I?
Answer: Henry Clay
Riddle 13
I’m a doctor who performed the first successful abdominal surgery using ether as anesthesia. My Kentucky hometown has a museum about my life. Who am I?
Answer: Ephraim McDowell
Riddle 14
I’m a politician elected Vice President under Abraham Lincoln. I was later elected Governor of Kentucky. Who am I?
Answer: John C. Breckinridge
Riddle 15
I’m an Apache warrior who escaped imprisonment and attacked settlers in Kentucky. My raids terrorized settlers in the late 1790s. Who am I?
Answer: The Apache Kid
Riddles about Kentucky Culture
Learn about Kentucky’s cultures and traditions through these riddles:
Riddle 16
I’m a fast-paced horse race held each May at Churchill Downs. Millions tune in to see me, the most famous horse race in the world. What race am I?
Answer: The Kentucky Derby
Riddle 17
I’m a casual get-together where Kentucky friends share homemade foods and play Appalachian music. What social event am I?
Answer: A Kentucky house party
Riddle 18
I’m a folk art tradition that began with Appalachian settlers. My brightly painted figures often depict local people, occupations, or animals. What colorful Kentucky art form am I?
Answer: Kentucky folk art
Riddle 19
I’m a musical style that blends bluegrass, honky-tonk, and blues. Bill Monroe, born in Kentucky, is considered one of my founders. What genre of music am I?
Answer: Bluegrass music
Riddle 20
We’re a duo of spiced sausage patties traditionally served at Kentucky breakfasts. What tasty meat dish are we?
Answer: Goetta
Riddles about Kentucky Symbols
Do you know the special state symbols of Kentucky? Try these riddles:
Riddle 21
I’m the official state horse of Kentucky. My breed originated in the Bluegrass region, known for speed and agility. What horse breed am I?
Answer: Thoroughbred
Riddle 22
I’m the state bird of Kentucky. My bright red plumage makes me easy to spot among forest trees. What bird am I?
Answer: Northern cardinal
Riddle 23
I’m the state tree of Kentucky. Daniel Boone is said to have carved my name on trees to mark his trail. What hardwood tree am I?
Answer: Tulip poplar
Riddle 24
I’m the state bluegrass music festival held annually in Owensboro. I’m one of the top bluegrass festivals in the country. What festival am I?
Answer: ROMP (River of Music Party)
Riddle 25
I’m a historic locomotive displayed in Louisville as the state steam locomotive of Kentucky. What locomotive am I?
Answer: The Old Louisville
Riddles about Famous Kentucky People
Can you identify these famous figures from Kentucky’s history?
Riddle 26
I’m a famous frontiersman known for my exploration of Kentucky. I helped blaze the Wilderness Road through the Cumberland Gap. Who am I?
Answer: Daniel Boone
Riddle 27
I’m a pioneer and state founder who established the first permanent white settlement in Kentucky. My namesake fort still stands today. Who am I?
Answer: James Harrod
Riddle 28
I’m a politician nicknamed “Old Hickory” who served as U.S. President and helped found the Democratic Party. I was born in the Waxhaws border region between North and South Carolina in 1767. Who am I?
Answer: Andrew Jackson
Riddle 29
I’m a famous frontierswoman who guided settlers through the Cumberland Gap into Kentucky. My name was the inspiration for a wilderness road. Who am I?
Answer: Daniel Boone’s wife Rebecca Bryan Boone
Riddle 30
I’m a 15th century explorer who some believe reached Kentucky over 200 years before European settlement. Who am I?
Answer: Prince Madoc of Wales
Riddles about Kentucky Sports
Cheer for Kentucky’s sports teams with these riddles:
Riddle 31
I’m a men’s college basketball team that has won 8 NCAA championships. Our home court is Rupp Arena in Lexington. What team are we?
Answer: The Kentucky Wildcats
Riddle 32
I’m a thoroughbred racehorse who won the Triple Crown in 1978. A statue of me stands at the Kentucky Derby Museum in Louisville. Who am I?
Answer: Affirmed
Riddle 33
I’m a Hall of Fame second baseman who played for the Cincinnati Reds. I helped the Reds win back-to-back World Series in 1975 and 1976. What baseball great am I?
Answer: Joe Morgan
Riddle 34
I’m a 6-time NFL Most Valuable Player who played quarterback for the Green Bay Packers. I was born in Owensboro, Kentucky in 1939. Who am I?
Answer: Paul Hornung
Riddle 35
I’m a professional boxer born in Louisville in 1961. I’m considered one of the greatest defensive boxers ever. I was nicknamed “The Greatest.” Who am I?
Answer: Muhammad Ali
Riddles about Kentucky Food and Drink
Can you guess these iconic Kentucky foods and beverages?
Riddle 36
I’m a bourbon ball – a truffle-like candy with a bourbon filling and chocolate coating. I was invented in Kentucky during Prohibition. What am I?
Answer: Bourbon ball
Riddle 37
I’m a cold salad made from cubed cucumbers and onions mixed with sour cream or vinegar dressing. I’m a Kentucky Derby tradition. What dish am I?
Answer: Kentucky beer cheese
Riddle 38
We’re a Romeo and Juliet-inspired soda duo bottled in Kentucky. Our sweet flavors contrast with each other. What two sodas are we?
Answer: Ale-8-One and Ski
Riddle 39
I’m a type of whiskey that makes up over 95% of all bourbon. I must be produced in Kentucky to be called bourbon. What type of whiskey am I?
Answer: Corn whiskey
Riddle 40
I’m a specialty burgoo stew filled with meats and vegetables. I’m traditionally served at political rallies in Kentucky. What dish am I?
Answer: Kentucky burgoo
Riddles about Kentucky Fun Facts
How much do you know about Kentucky’s quirky facts and firsts? Try these riddles:
Riddle 41
I’m a tiny town in Kentucky along the Red River. I’m said to be the only place in the world with this wacky name. What town am I?
Answer: Monkey’s Eyebrow, Kentucky
Riddle 42
I’m a fast food fried chicken restaurant that opened its first location in Salt Lake City in 1952. I opened my first Kentucky location a year later. What restaurant chain am I?
Answer: KFC (Kentucky Fried Chicken)
Riddle 43
I’m an annual festival held in Benton, Kentucky where people compete to make the world’s best homemade fried catfish. What quirky festival am I?
Answer: The Tater Day Festival
Riddle 44
I’m a town in central Kentucky that became the first city in the U.S. to be powered by atomic energy in 1962. What historic town am I?
Answer: Oak Ridge, Kentucky
Riddle 45
I’m a floating theater on a Kentucky Lake that shows plays and musicals. I’m the last operating showboat in the U.S. What unique theater am I?
Answer: The Bell of Louisville Showboat
Riddles about Kentucky Literature
Here are some riddles about famous Kentucky authors and their works:
Riddle 46
I’m a Pulitzer Prize winning novel by Kentucky author Robert Penn Warren. I chronicle the rise and fall of a corrupt Southern politician. What novel am I?
Answer: All the King’s Men
Riddle 47
I’m a beloved children’s author who created the Little Critter series. I was born in Louisville, Kentucky in 1943. Who am I?
Answer: Mercer Mayer
Conclusion
I hope you enjoyed these 47 riddles about the great state of Kentucky! From its history and geography to cultural traditions, famous figures, literature and more – Kentucky has so much to discover. Let these riddles be an introduction to the endlessly fascinating Bluegrass State!
