Maryland is a state with a rich history and culture. From the Chesapeake Bay to the Appalachian Mountains, Maryland has diverse geographies, people, traditions, and much more to discover. Riddles can be a fun way to learn more about the Old Line State. Below are 45 riddles about Maryland along with their answers.
Geography Riddles
Let’s start with some riddles about the geography and landmarks of Maryland.
Riddle 1
I’m a busy seaport found near Baltimore’s Inner Harbor. Many immigrants passed through me in the 1900s. What am I?
Answer: Locust Point
Riddle 2
I’m a small community located on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. My name comes from the Algonquian language meaning “land on the side of the ocean.” What am I?
Answer: Ocean City
Riddle 3
I’m a famous gorge located in western Maryland with many outdoor recreational activities. What am I?
Answer: Great Falls
Riddle 4
I’m a small community in central Maryland known for my waterfalls and covered bridges. What am I?
Answer: Ellicott City
Riddle 5
I’m a busy commercial waterway that connects the Chesapeake Bay with the Delaware Bay. What am I?
Answer: Chesapeake and Delaware Canal
History Riddles
Next up are some riddles about Maryland’s long and fascinating history.
Riddle 6
I was founded in 1634 as a colony for English Catholics. I was named after a European queen. What am I?
Answer: Maryland
Riddle 7
I’m a famous 1786 home in Annapolis that was a meeting place for the Continental Congress. What am I?
Answer: Mann House
Riddle 8
I’m an 1809 mansion in Baltimore designed by Benjamin Latrobe. I’m known for my beautiful oval rooms. What am I?
Answer: Homewood House
Riddle 9
I was an early abolitionist who led many enslaved people to freedom along the Underground Railroad in Maryland. What is my name?
Answer: Harriet Tubman
Riddle 10
I’m a famous 1814 battle during the War of 1812 where Francis Scott Key was inspired to write the poem that became the U.S. national anthem. What am I?
Answer: Battle of Fort McHenry
Culture Riddles
Let’s move on to some riddles about Maryland’s culture, food, and symbols.
Riddle 11
I’m a Chesapeake Bay crustacean often served steamed with Old Bay seasoning. What am I?
Answer: Blue crab
Riddle 12
I’m a salty, spreadable fish found in Maryland. I’m often used as a sandwich topping or accompaniment for crackers. What am I?
Answer: Crab dip
Riddle 13
I’m a sweet bakery treat invented by a German baker in Baltimore in the 1800s. What am I?
Answer: Berger cookie
Riddle 14
I’m a tart, bright red fruit that grows abundantly on the Eastern Shore. What am I?
Answer: Red Raspberry
Riddle 15
I’m the official state team sport of Maryland. What am I?
Answer: Lacrosse
Science Riddles
How about some science and technology riddles related to Maryland?
Riddle 16
I’m an innovative medical school founded in Baltimore in 1893 that pioneered modern medical education in the United States. What am I?
Answer: Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
Riddle 17
I’m a NASA space flight center located in southern Maryland. I serve as mission control for many robotic space missions. What am I?
Answer: Goddard Space Flight Center
Riddle 18
I’m an organization founded in 1937 that analyzes disease outbreaks and conducts medical research in Bethesda. What am I?
Answer: National Institutes of Health (NIH)
Riddle 19
I’m a famous African American scientist and inventor born in Maryland in the early 1900s. I invented important technologies like the gas mask and traffic signal. Who am I?
Answer: Garrett Morgan
Riddle 20
I’m an innovative new company that builds robotic arms and exoskeletons to augment human ability. My headquarters are in Baltimore. What company am I?
Answer: Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory (APL)
Government Riddles
Next up, some riddles about Maryland’s government and politics.
Riddle 21
I’m the capital city of Maryland where the state government meets. What city am I?
Answer: Annapolis
Riddle 22
I’m the current and 62nd governor of Maryland, elected in 2015. What is my name?
Answer: Larry Hogan
Riddle 23
I’m a famous Maryland senator born in 1942 who ran for Vice President in 2004. Who am I?
Answer: John Edwards
Riddle 24
I’m a former Maryland congressman who was the longest serving Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives. Who am I?
Answer: Thomas “Tip” O’Neill
Riddle 25
I’m the current senior U.S. senator from Maryland, serving since 1987. My daughter was once mayor of Baltimore. Who am I?
Answer: Ben Cardin
Sports Riddles
Let’s move on to some riddles about Maryland’s popular sports teams.
Riddle 26
I’m a professional Major League Baseball team based in Baltimore. My mascot is a cartoon bird and I play at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. What team am I?
Answer: Baltimore Orioles
Riddle 27
I’m a Major League Baseball team that played in Baltimore from 1901 to 1954 before moving to New York. What historic team am I?
Answer: Baltimore Orioles (of the past)
Riddle 28
I’m a National Football League team that plays in Baltimore. My name comes from a classic Edgar Allan Poe poem set in Baltimore. What team am I?
Answer: Baltimore Ravens
Riddle 29
I’m a National Hockey League team based in Washington D.C. that plays at Capital One Arena. My mascot is a large bald eagle named Slapshot. What team am I?
Answer: Washington Capitals
Riddle 30
I’m a major college lacrosse powerhouse located in Baltimore. My mascot is a greyhound. What university am I?
Answer: Loyola University Maryland
Literature Riddles
Let’s look at some riddles about the literature and writers connected to Maryland.
Riddle 31
I’m a world-famous writer born in Baltimore in 1809. I’m known for dark romanticism tales like “The Raven” and “The Tell-Tale Heart.” Who am I?
Answer: Edgar Allan Poe
Riddle 32
I’m an American novelist born in 1872 in Maryland. I won the Pulitzer Prize for my novel So Big in 1924. Who am I?
Answer: Edna Ferber
Riddle 33
I’m a novelist and poet born in Baltimore in 1903. My work focused on the early 20th century American South. I won a Pulitzer Prize for my novel A Fable in 1955. Who am I?
Answer: William Faulkner
Riddle 34
I’m a confessional poet born in 1926 in Maryland who won the Pulitzer Prize for Live or Die in 1966. Who am I?
Answer: Anne Sexton
Riddle 35
I’m a journalist and author born in Baltimore in 1961. I won the Pulitzer Prize for my memoir The Beautiful Struggle in 2008. Who am I?
Answer: Ta-Nehisi Coates
Pop Culture Riddles
Next up, some pop culture riddles related to Maryland.
Riddle 36
I’m a famous 1990s R&B group originally formed in Baltimore. My members included TLC and Chilli. What group am I?
Answer: TLC
Riddle 37
I’m an actor born in Baltimore in 1937 who starred in many films like Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. Who am I?
Answer: Paul Newman
Riddle 38
I’m a musical artist born in Baltimore in the 1940s known as the “Godfather of Go-Go.” I had a hit song called “Bustin’ Loose.” Who am I?
Answer: Chuck Brown
Riddle 39
I’m a famous fashion designer born in 1939 in Maryland. My brand features clean, modern designs. Who am I?
Answer: Calvin Klein
Riddle 40
I’m an actor born in Washington D.C. in the 1960s known for roles in Glory, Training Day, and the TV show Criminal Minds. What is my name?
Answer: Mandy Patinkin
Tricky Riddles
Here are some trickier riddles about Maryland that may require some deeper thought.
Riddle 41
Some try to avoid me, others embrace me. I’m a nickname for Maryland residents. What am I?
Answer: Old Line State
Riddle 42
I’m a flower named after a native Marylander who helped discover me in the 18th century. What flower am I?
Answer: Barton orchid
Riddle 43
Two pro sports teams, neither birds but both winged creatures, call me home. What Maryland city am I?
Answer: Baltimore
Riddle 44
View me from the Lincoln Memorial and I appear chopped in half. Sail upon me and you’ll see my whole. What Maryland landmark am I?
Answer: Chesapeake Bay Bridge
Riddle 45
My name translates to “honored war chief” in Piscataway. Look for me on Maryland’s welcome signs. What am I?
Answer: Chesapeake
Conclusion
How did you do with these Maryland riddles? Riddles can be a fun and challenging way to engage your mind and learn about new places and topics. Maryland has no shortage of fascinating facts and stories to uncover. Next time you visit the Old Line State, see what new riddles you can create about its many landmarks, history, and culture.
