Washington DC is the capital of the United States and is filled with famous monuments, museums, and landmarks. It has a rich history and culture that lends itself well to riddles. Here are 89 riddles about Washington DC along with their answers.
Riddles about Famous Washington DC Landmarks
The Washington Monument
Q: I’m the tallest structure in Washington DC, a famous obelisk honoring the first US president. What am I?
A: The Washington Monument
The Lincoln Memorial
Q: I’m a memorial built to honor the 16th president. You can find me at the west end of the National Mall. Who am I?
A: The Lincoln Memorial
The White House
Q: I’m the official residence and workplace of the president of the United States. You can take a tour inside me if you schedule it in advance. What historic place am I?
A: The White House
The US Capitol
Q: I’m where the legislative branch of government meets. My famous rotunda and dome are iconic sights. What building am I?
A: The US Capitol
The Washington National Cathedral
Q: I’m a cathedral in Washington DC that took over 80 years to build. I’ve hosted state funerals and presidential prayer services. What grand church am I?
A: The Washington National Cathedral
The Jefferson Memorial
Q: I’m a memorial dedicated to the nation’s third president, located near the Tidal Basin. What am I called?
A: The Jefferson Memorial
The Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial
Q: I’m the newest memorial on the National Mall, opened in 2011 to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. What am I?
A: The Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial
The Vietnam Veterans Memorial
Q: Maya Lin designed me as a memorial to those who served in the Vietnam War. I’m made up of two black granite walls in a V shape. What am I?
A: The Vietnam Veterans Memorial
The Washington Monument
Q: I’m an obelisk comprised of marble, granite, and bluestone gneiss found south of DC. I’m the tallest structure in the city and named after the first US president. What iconic monument am I?
A: The Washington Monument
Riddles about Famous People from Washington DC
Duke Ellington
Q: I was a famous jazz composer and pianist born in Washington DC in 1899. I composed thousands of songs, including “It Don’t Mean a Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing)”. Who am I?
A: Duke Ellington
Marvin Gaye
Q: I recorded hit Motown songs like “I Heard It Through the Grapevine” and “Let’s Get It On.” I grew up in Washington DC and got my start singing in local groups as a teen. Who am I?
A: Marvin Gaye
Walter Johnson
Q: I was a baseball Hall of Fame pitcher who played 21 seasons for the Washington Senators. I still hold several major league records as a pitcher. Who am I?
A: Walter Johnson
Chuck Brown
Q: I’m known as the Godfather of Go-Go music, developing this funk style in the 70s. Go-Go became the official music of DC, where I lived. What’s my name?
A: Chuck Brown
Frederick Douglass
Q: I was an escaped slave who became a prominent activist and public speaker. I lived in Washington DC for many years in the 19th century. Who am I?
A: Frederick Douglass
John Philip Sousa
Q: I’m known as The March King. I composed over 100 marches, including “The Stars and Stripes Forever.” I led the US Marine Band in Washington DC in the late 1800s. Who am I?
A: John Philip Sousa
Riddles about Washington DC Culture & History
Cherry Blossom Festival
Q: I’m an annual spring celebration in DC that commemorates the 1912 gift of cherry trees from Tokyo. Petals explode on the trees around the Tidal Basin during my weeks-long festivities. What festival am I?
A: The Cherry Blossom Festival
Ben’s Chili Bowl
Q: I’m a landmark DC restaurant on U Street that opened in 1958. I’m known for my chili cheese fries and half-smokes. What iconic eatery am I?
A: Ben’s Chili Bowl
Smithsonian Museums
Q: I’m not just one but a group of museums, mostly lining the National Mall. I house everything from art to space artifacts. Collectively what museum group am I?
A: The Smithsonian Museums
Ford’s Theatre
Q: I’m the historic theater where President Abraham Lincoln was assassinated in 1865 while watching a play. What theatre am I?
A: Ford’s Theatre
Watergate Scandal
Q: I’m the political scandal in the 1970s that started with a break-in at the Watergate complex and eventually led to President Nixon’s resignation. What am I?
A: The Watergate Scandal
The Metro
Q: I’m the rapid transit system serving the Washington DC area. My 91 stations are recognizable by their arches and vaulted ceilings. What transportation system am I?
A: The Metro
National Mall
Q: I’m the famous public park in downtown DC stretching from the Lincoln Memorial to the US Capitol building. You can find many famous monuments and museums along me. What am I?
A: The National Mall
Georgetown
Q: I’m the historic DC neighborhood along the Potomac known for shopping, nightlife, and Georgetown University. What neighborhood am I?
A: Georgetown
George Washington
Q: I’m the first president of the United States and commander of the Continental Army. The nation’s capital city is named partially after me. Who am I?
A: George Washington
The Pentagon
Q: I’m the headquarters of the United States Department of Defense located in Arlington, Virginia, across the Potomac from DC. I’m notable for my unique five-sided shape. What landmark am I?
A: The Pentagon
DC’s Height Limit
Q: I’m a law that restricts building heights in Washington DC to 130 feet or less. I preserve the visual aesthetic of DC’s architecture. What am I?
A: The Height of Buildings Act / DC’s Height Limit
Riddles about Washington DC’s Architecture
Washington National Cathedral
Q: I have a central tower that reaches up 676 feet. Designed in a Neo-Gothic style, I’m the 6th largest cathedral in the world. What awe-inspiring house of worship am I?
A: Washington National Cathedral
Architecture styles
Q: We reflect the history of DC in our neoclassical and European-inspired designs like Federal, Georgian, Greek Revival, Romanesque Revival, Gothic Revival, and Second Empire. What are we?
A: Architecture styles
Union Station
Q: I’m the historic train station opened in 1907. My Beaux-Arts design by Daniel Burnham makes me one of DC’s architectural gems. What station am I?
A: Union Station
The Octagon House
Q: I’m a historic house museum designed in the Federal style. My unique octagonal shape was groundbreaking when I was built from 1799-1801. What historic home am I?
A: The Octagon House
Healy Hall
Q: I’m Georgetown University’s flagship building with my tall Romanesque Revival tower. I house the university’s main administrative and admissions offices. What building am I?
A: Healy Hall
Old Post Office Pavilion
Q: I’m a historic building that combines Romanesque Revival and Queen Anne styles. I now house a Trump luxury hotel after originally serving as DC’s post office. What iconic building am I?
A: Old Post Office Pavilion
Folger Shakespeare Library
Q: I’m home to the largest collection of Shakespeare works in the world. Designed in the Art Deco style, I’m located across from the Capitol. What research library am I?
A: The Folger Shakespeare Library
DAR Constitution Hall
Q: I’m the concert hall owned and operated by the Daughters of the American Revolution. Located near the White House, I’ve hosted acts from Harry Houdini to the Rolling Stones. What venue am I?
A: DAR Constitution Hall
National Building Museum
Q: I occupy a grand historic building with soaring 75-foot tall Corinthian columns. I’m dedicated to architecture and design, with ever-changing exhibits. What museum am I?
A: The National Building Museum
Supreme Court Building
Q: I’m the home of the US Supreme Court. Designed by Cass Gilbert, I’m built in a classical Corinthian style using Vermont marble. What building am I?
A: The Supreme Court Building
More Challenging Washington DC Riddles
I’m square, I’m hip
Q: I’m square, I’m hip. Plenty of power trips happen inside me, but I predate the politicians by over a century. I’ve got angles, but I’m curvy too. What am I?
A: The Oval Office in the White House
Hope diamond
Q: I’m a world famous blue diamond housed in the National Gem Collection. I’m known for my rare color and supposedly cursed history. What precious gem am I?
A: The Hope Diamond
Declaration of Independence, Constitution, Bill of Rights
Q: We’re the three founding documents on display at the National Archives. Without us, the United States would not exist as we know it today. What are we?
A: The Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights
Here lie visitors
Q: Thousands walk over me each day as I rest below the Capitol Crypt. But don’t worry, I’m not actually a burial spot, despite the words above me that say “Here lie visitors.” What am I?
A: The Capitol Crypt
I spy
Q: I’m perched on the Old Post Office Pavilion, keeping an eye on the city. I’m no ordinary lookout though – I have electronic surveillance equipment hidden inside me. What DC landmark am I?
A: The security camera globe atop the Old Post Office Pavilion
Blooming walls
Q: My marble walls bloom pink and white each spring, framing views of the Jefferson Memorial and Washington Monument. Where am I?
A: The Tidal Basin, surrounded by cherry blossoms
Artistic alley
Q: Look down at your feet when you walk through me, the alley lined with colorful murals. I’m located in the U Street neighborhood and populate Instagram feeds. What alley am I?
A: Blagden Alley
Don’t stop me now
Q: I circle the Capitol dome, never stopping my march. I symbolize time and keep going even when Congress is at a standstill. Who am I?
A: The Statue of Freedom atop the Capitol dome
Baked and wired
Q: Find me on Church Street for delicious cupcakes and coffee. I’m a popular Georgetown bakery with a punny name. What cafe am I?
A: Baked & Wired
Conclusion
How did you do with these Washington DC riddles? Exploring the history, culture, landmarks, and people of a city through riddles is a fun way to engage with local knowledge. From famous monuments like the Washington Monument to historical figures like Duke Ellington, Washington DC provides plenty of material for clever riddles. Next time you visit the nation’s capital, keep your eyes peeled for architectural marvels, iconic restaurants, and hidden gems that could inspire another fantastic DC riddle!
