Pennsylvania is a state rich in history, culture, and natural wonders. From Philadelphia and Pittsburgh to Amish Country, the Keystone State has plenty to discover. Let’s explore some of the mysteries and secrets of the state through these 55 riddles about Pennsylvania.
Geography Riddles
Riddle 1
What is Pennsylvania’s largest city?
Answer: Philadelphia
Riddle 2
True or false: Pennsylvania borders Lake Erie.
Answer: True. Pennsylvania borders Lake Erie to the north and west.
Riddle 3
Which major river forms part of Pennsylvania’s western border?
Answer: The Ohio River
Riddle 4
What mountain range runs through the middle of the state?
Answer: The Appalachian Mountains
Riddle 5
Pennsylvania contains a total of how many counties?
Answer: 67 counties
History Riddles
Riddle 6
Pennsylvania played a major role in which war?
Answer: The Civil War. Major battles like Gettysburg took place here.
Riddle 7
Which Founding Father and author of the Declaration of Independence was born in Pennsylvania?
Answer: Thomas Jefferson
Riddle 8
Which city served as the capital of the United States from 1790 to 1800?
Answer: Philadelphia
Riddle 9
What was Pennsylvania’s original name when founded as a colony in 1681?
Answer: Pennsylvania was originally called Pennsylvania Colony.
Riddle 10
Which Pennsylvania city was the site of the Constitutional Convention in 1787?
Answer: Philadelphia
Culture Riddles
Riddle 11
What type of German religious group can be found living in Pennsylvania?
Answer: The Amish
Riddle 12
Which city is home to the Liberty Bell?
Answer: Philadelphia
Riddle 13
Which tasty sandwich was invented in Pennsylvania?
Answer: The Philly cheesesteak
Riddle 14
What is Pennsylvania’s official state dog breed?
Answer: The Great Dane
Riddle 15
Which Pennsylvania city houses the Andy Warhol Museum?
Answer: Pittsburgh
Sports Riddles
Riddle 16
Which NFL team plays in Pennsylvania?
Answer: The Philadelphia Eagles
Riddle 17
Which MLB team, nicknamed the Phillies, is based in Pennsylvania?
Answer: The Philadelphia Phillies
Riddle 18
True or false: Pennsylvania does not have any NHL teams.
Answer: False. The Philadelphia Flyers and Pittsburgh Penguins are NHL teams in Pennsylvania.
Riddle 19
Which famous boxing movie is set in Pennsylvania?
Answer: Rocky
Riddle 20
Which college football team plays in Beaver Stadium?
Answer: Penn State
Nature Riddles
Riddle 21
What is Pennsylvania’s state bird?
Answer: The ruffed grouse
Riddle 22
About how many state parks can be found in Pennsylvania?
Answer: Around 120 state parks
Riddle 23
Which mountain is the highest point in Pennsylvania?
Answer: Mount Davis at 3,213 feet
Riddle 24
True or false: There are no national parks in Pennsylvania.
Answer: False. Gettysburg National Military Park is located in Pennsylvania.
Riddle 25
Which type of tree is Pennsylvania’s state tree?
Answer: The Eastern hemlock
Food Riddles
Riddle 26
Hershey’s chocolate comes from which Pennsylvania town?
Answer: Hershey
Riddle 27
Which city is famous for its soft pretzels?
Answer: Philadelphia
Riddle 28
What is Pennsylvania’s official state beverage?
Answer: Milk
Riddle 29
Which type of mushroom was discovered in Pennsylvania?
Answer: The morel mushroom
Riddle 30
Which Pennsylvania city is known for its Primanti Brothers sandwiches?
Answer: Pittsburgh
Fun Facts Riddles
Riddle 31
Why is Pennsylvania nicknamed the Keystone State?
Answer: Because its central location was seen as vital, like a keystone in an arch.
Riddle 32
What was the first capital of Pennsylvania?
Answer: Philadelphia
Riddle 33
About how many covered bridges still exist in Pennsylvania today?
Answer: Around 200 covered bridges
Riddle 34
True or false: Pennsylvania has the most golf courses of any state in the U.S.
Answer: True
Riddle 35
Which Pennsylvania town hosts one of the largest Amish populations in the world?
Answer: Lancaster County
Tricky Riddles
Riddle 36
I am where yesterday follows today, and tomorrow is in the middle. What am I?
Answer: A dictionary or encyclopedia
Riddle 37
The more you take, the more you leave behind. What am I?
Answer: Footsteps
Riddle 38
What occurs once in a minute, twice in a moment, but never in one thousand years?
Answer: The letter “M”
Riddle 39
What belongs to you but is used more by others?
Answer: Your name
Riddle 40
I am weightless but you can see me. Hold me and I will quickly leave you. What am I?
Answer: Breath or your breath
“What am I?” Riddles
Riddle 41
What has cities but no houses, forests but no trees, and water but no fish?
Answer: A map
Riddle 42
What has a head and a tail but no body?
Answer: A coin
Riddle 43
What has hands but can’t clap?
Answer: A clock
Riddle 44
What has a neck but no head?
Answer: A bottle
Riddle 45
What is broken every time it’s spoken?
Answer: Silence
“Why is it?” Riddles
Riddle 46
Why is it against the law for a man in Pennsylvania to scowl at a child?
Answer: There is no such law. This is just a silly made up “fact” about Pennsylvania.
Riddle 47
Why is the Liberty Bell cracked?
Answer: It cracked from overuse and damage over time.
Riddle 48
Why is the Philly cheesesteak famous?
Answer: It combines thin slices of steak, melted cheese, and sautéed onions and peppers into a delicious sandwich.
Riddle 49
Why are there so many covered bridges in Pennsylvania?
Answer: They were an inexpensive and practical way for early settlers to build bridges that could withstand weather conditions.
Riddle 50
Why is Pennsylvania called the Keystone State?
Answer: Its central location was seen as vital, like a keystone in an arch.
Funny Pennsylvania Jokes
Riddle 51
How did the Philly cheesesteak propose to the Reuben sandwich?
Answer: Will you meat me at the altar?
Riddle 52
What do you call cheese that’s not yours?
Answer: Nacho cheese!
Riddle 53
Why don’t eggs tell jokes?
Answer: They’d crack each other up!
Riddle 54
What did Tennessee?
Answer: The same thing Arkansas!
Riddle 55
What musical instrument is found in the bathroom?
Answer: A tuba toothpaste!
Conclusion
Did you get stumped on any of these Pennsylvania riddles? The Keystone State has plenty of mysteries waiting to be solved. Exploring the history, culture, sports, and nature of Pennsylvania through these riddles is a fun way to learn more about this important state. Whether you’re a lifelong resident or have never visited, hopefully these riddles shed some new light on the wonders of Pennsylvania.
