South Carolina is a beautiful state with a rich history and culture. From its coastal beaches to its rolling piedmont, there is so much to explore. Let’s dive into this magical place with 47 riddles about South Carolina. See how many you can get right!
Riddles about South Carolina’s History
#1
Riddle: I’m the first European settlement in South Carolina, founded in 1562 near present-day Georgetown. What am I?
Answer: Spanish San Miguel de Gualdape
#2
Riddle: I’m an English settlement established in 1670, the first permanent European settlement in South Carolina. Many of the state’s oldest surviving plantations were built along the west bank of my river. What settlement am I?
Answer: Charles Towne (modern-day Charleston)
#3
Riddle: We were a group of English Royalists who fled England after Oliver Cromwell’s revolution. King Charles II rewarded us with land grants in Carolina in 1663. Who are we?
Answer: The Lords Proprietors
#4
Riddle: I was an early 18th century fort built by the English to defend Charles Towne against Spanish and French forces. I was named after the monarch of England at the time. What fort am I?
Answer: Fort King George
#5
Riddle: I was the first major battle of the American Revolutionary War fought in South Carolina in 1776. The Patriots defeated the British in this important southern campaign. What battle was I?
Answer: Battle of Sullivan’s Island
Riddles about South Carolina Geography
#6
Riddle: I’m a long, sandy, windswept barrier island along the Atlantic coast of South Carolina. Popular for beach vacations, I’m home to the historic city of Georgetown. What island am I?
Answer: Pawleys Island
#7
Riddle: I’m a famous swamp located in coastal South Carolina, known for my cypress trees draped in Spanish moss. Tours of me feature close encounters with alligators! What swamp am I?
Answer: Congaree Swamp
#8
Riddle: I’m a famous scenic waterfall located in the mountainous Upstate region of South Carolina, dropping nearly 200 feet over rocky ledges. What waterfall am I?
Answer: Raven Cliff Falls
#9
Riddle: I’m the highest point in South Carolina at over 3,500 feet. Hikers climb my granite summit to enjoy panoramic views. What mountain am I?
Answer: Sassafras Mountain
#10
Riddle: I’m a famous marshy estuary located near Beaufort where the Cooper, Ashley, and Edisto Rivers converge before flowing into the Atlantic Ocean. What am I?
Answer: Ace Basin
Riddles about South Carolina Cities & Towns
#11
Riddle: I’m a charming southern city known for my historic antebellum mansions and cobblestone streets. I’m home to Fort Sumter where the first shots of the Civil War were fired. What city am I?
Answer: Charleston
#12
Riddle: I’m the state capital of South Carolina, located along the Congaree River. I’m home to the South Carolina State House and University of South Carolina. What city am I?
Answer: Columbia
#13
Riddle: I’m a popular coastal resort town located along South Carolina’s Grand Strand. I’m known for my beaches, amusement parks, and the Family Kingdom water park. What town am I?
Answer: Myrtle Beach
#14
Riddle: I’m a historic city located along the Savannah River across from my sister city of Augusta, Georgia. I hosted the golf Masters Tournament for over 40 years. What city am I?
Answer: North Augusta
#15
Riddle: I’m a small college town located in the Upstate region of South Carolina. I’m home to Clemson University and Lake Hartwell. What town am I?
Answer: Clemson
Riddles about South Carolina Culture
#16
Riddle: I’m a famous historic home built in the late 1700s near Charleston. I have ornate ironwork balconies and lush gardens with oak trees draped in Spanish moss. What home am I?
Answer: The Calhoun Mansion
#17
Riddle: I’m an extravagant antebellum plantation house located near Georgetown along the Waccamaw River. My gardens feature impressive oak allees and romantic arched gateways. What plantation am I?
Answer: Hopsewee Plantation
#18
Riddle: I’m a famous writer born in Charleston who wrote about life in the post-Civil War South. My novels include The Awakening and The House of Mirth. Who am I?
Answer: Edith Wharton
#19
Riddle: I’m a classic Southern stew made with chicken or shrimp, sausage, vegetables and rice. I’m a staple Lowcountry cuisine in South Carolina. What dish am I?
Answer: Gumbo
#20
Riddle: I’m a sweet iced tea flavored with lemon that’s the official state beverage of South Carolina. No Southern meal is complete without me! What drink am I?
Answer: Sweet tea
Riddles about South Carolina Symbols
#21
Riddle: I’m the majestic state tree of South Carolina. Spanish moss often drapes from my leafy branches in coastal areas. What tree am I?
Answer: Palmetto tree
#22
Riddle: I’m the state flower of South Carolina. My showy white blooms with golden centers brighten gardens in spring. What flower am I?
Answer: Yellow jessamine
#23
Riddle: I’m the state bird of South Carolina. My black hood and red body make me easy to spot among marsh grasses where I feed on insects and seeds. What bird am I?
Answer: Carolina wren
#24
Riddle: I’m the official state dance of South Carolina. My moves were influenced by the Gullah culture of the Lowcountry. What dance am I?
Answer: The Shag
#25
Riddle: I’m the state reptile of South Carolina. I’m the only venomous lizard native to the United States. What reptile am I?
Answer: Carolina diamondback terrapin
Riddles about South Carolina Universities
#26
Riddle: I’m a public research university founded in 1801 in Columbia. My famous alumni include James Clyburn, Darius Rucker and Alex English. What university am I?
Answer: University of South Carolina
#27
Riddle: I’m a historic liberal arts women’s college located in Columbia. I was founded in 1854 and am the only women’s college in the world to award bachelor’s and graduate degrees in robotics engineering. What college am I?
Answer: Columbia College
#28
Riddle: I’m a public university located in Clemson. I play Division I football in the ACC and am home to the Clemson Tigers. What university am I?
Answer: Clemson University
#29
Riddle: I’m a private Baptist university located in Greenville. I was founded in 1859 and am well known for my law, education and pharmacy schools. What university am I?
Answer: Furman University
#30
Riddle: I’m a liberal arts college located in Spartanburg. I was the first college in South Carolina to become co-ed and accept African American students in the late 1800s. What college am I?
Answer: Wofford College
Riddles about South Carolina Sports & Entertainment
#31
Riddle: I’m a professional basketball team based in Charleston. I play in the NBA G League and am affiliated with the Miami Heat. What team am I?
Answer: Charleston RiverDogs
#32
Riddle: I’m a minor league baseball team based in Charleston. I play in the South Atlantic League as a Class A affiliate of the New York Yankees. What team am I?
Answer: Charleston RiverDogs
#33
Riddle: I’m an annual outdoor music festival held in Charleston every April-May. I feature over 100 bands on six stages over four days. What festival am I?
Answer: Charleston Wine & Food Festival
#34
Riddle: I’m an actress born in Charleston who won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for Gone With the Wind in 1939. Who am I?
Answer: Hattie McDaniel
#35
Riddle: I’m a famous R&B singer born in Charleston who had hits like “Holding Back the Years” and “Smooth Operator.” Who am I?
Answer: Simply Red
Riddles about South Carolina Nature & Wildlife
#36
Riddle: I’m a small primate native to South Carolina and other Southeastern states. I’m known for my big eyes and loud calls in the forest canopy. What animal am I?
Answer: Owl monkey
#37
Riddle: I’m the official state shell of South Carolina. My patterned brown and white shell can be found along sandy and marshy shores. What shell am I?
Answer: Lettered olive
#38
Riddle: I’m a venomous pit viper found in the swamps and forests of South Carolina. My diamond-patterned scales give me my name. What snake am I?
Answer: Carolina pygmy rattlesnake
#39
Riddle: I’m a large wading bird with a long neck and legs that nests in coastal marshes of South Carolina. My feathers were highly prized in the millinery trade in the late 1800s. What bird am I?
Answer: Great egret
#40
Riddle: I’m a rare wildflower native to the Carolinas that blooms in late summer. My showy pink-purple flowers grow in rocky or sandy woodlands. What flower am I?
Answer: Oconee bell
Riddles about South Carolina Industry & Business
#41
Riddle: I’m a German automaker with a major manufacturing plant located in Greer, South Carolina that makes popular SUV models. What company am I?
Answer: BMW
#42
Riddle: I’m an American airplane manufacturer with a major facility located in North Charleston. Models like the 787 Dreamliner are assembled at my South Carolina plant. What company am I?
Answer: Boeing
#43
Riddle: I’m an imported luxury vehicle manufactured exclusively at a factory in Greenville County, South Carolina. My logo features a propeller framed by wings. What brand am I?
Answer: BMW
#44
Riddle: I’m a Japanese tire manufacturer with a major production facility located in Aiken County, South Carolina. I’m one of the state’s largest employers with over 1,000 workers at my plant. What company am I?
Answer: Bridgestone
#45
Riddle: I’m an American multinational technology company headquartered in Charleston. I provide cybersecurity, missile defense, and IT services to government and commercial clients worldwide. What company am I?
Answer: Blackbaud
Riddles about South Carolina Politics
#46
Riddle: I’m a Republican Senator from South Carolina who has served since 2005. I ran for President in 2016 before dropping out to support Donald Trump’s campaign. Who am I?
Answer: Lindsey Graham
#47
Riddle: I’m a Democratic Congressman from South Carolina who served as House Majority Whip from 2019-2021. I’m known for wearing distinctive bow ties. Who am I?
Answer: James Clyburn
Conclusion
How did you do with these riddles about the Palmetto State? South Carolina has such a unique culture and landscape to explore. From bustling Charleston to scenic Upstate vistas, this state offers endless intrigue. Learning more about its cities, nature, history and people helps unlock its charm. Next time you visit, keep these riddles in mind and see how many answers you can spot!
