Washington is a state filled with natural beauty and rich history. It’s home to stunning landscapes like Mount Rainier and the San Juan Islands. The culture is influenced by Native American tribes and early pioneers. Let’s explore this fascinating place through 45 riddles!
Geography Riddles
What is the tallest mountain in Washington?
Mount Rainier at 14,411 feet
What national park located in Washington contains hundreds of ancient petroglyphs?
North Cascades National Park
What is the name of the volcano that erupted in 1980, causing major destruction in Washington?
Mount St. Helens
What inland sea located in Washington contains over 400 islands?
The San Juan Islands in the Puget Sound
What desert covers part of south central Washington?
The Columbia Basin
History Riddles
What city served as the end point for the Oregon Trail?
Vancouver
What was the name of the treaty that established the 49th parallel as the US-Canada border in Washington?
The Oregon Treaty
Which president authorized the Whitman Mission in Walla Walla in 1836?
President Andrew Jackson
What was the name of the 1855-56 war fought between the United States government and members of the Yakama, Umatilla, Walla Walla and Cayuse tribes?
The Yakima War
What was the name of the early 1800s maritime fur trading district along the Pacific Northwest coast?
The Columbia District
Seattle Riddles
What is the name of Seattle’s iconic Space Needle?
The Alan E. Fennell Space Needle
Which tech giant is headquartered in Seattle?
Amazon
What is the name of Seattle’s historic Pike Place Market?
Pike Place Market
What is the name of the first Starbucks store opened in Seattle in 1971?
Starbucks Pike Place
What was Boeing’s first plane model produced in 1916?
The Boeing Model 1
Native American Riddles
What was the primary language spoken by tribes like the Spokane and Yakama?
Sahaptin
Coast Salish tribes like the Duwamish primarily lived off of which natural resource?
Salmon
What was the name of the treaty signed in 1855 by Governor Isaac Stevens and tribes in Washington Territory?
Treaty of Point Elliott
Chinookan tribes like the Clatsop were known for their expertise in what type of craft?
Canoe building
Buffalo featured prominently in the culture of which Plateau tribe?
Nez Perce
Famous Washingtonians Riddles
Which famous guitarist and frontman for Nirvana was born in Aberdeen?
Kurt Cobain
What actor who starred in Sleepless in Seattle and You’ve Got Mail was born in Tacoma?
Meg Ryan
Which martial artist and action movie star was born in Seattle?
Bruce Lee
What celebrity chef known for his shows on the Food Network lived in Bellingham?
Guy Fieri
Which billionaire Microsoft founder was born in Seattle?
Bill Gates
Miscellaneous Riddles
What is Washington’s state flower?
Western Rhododendron
What is Washington’s official state gemstone?
Petrified wood
With a wingspan up to 7 feet, what is Washington’s largest flying bird?
California Condor
At over 1,500 pounds, what is the largest animal to live in Washington today?
Roosevelt Elk
Which cascading waterfall requires hiking 10 miles round trip to reach?
Spray Falls
Food Riddles
Grown in Washington’s volcanic soil, what are the state’s most exported agricultural products?
Apples
What type of berries were harvested by Native Americans and settlers, leading to Washington producing the most in the U.S.?
Strawberries
Walla Walla is known for its sweet type of what round vegetable?
Onions
From the Yakama tribe, what is a traditional baked good made from berries and cornstarch?
Pias
What type of shellfish is farmed extensively in Washington’s waters?
Oysters
Conclusion
Exploring the fascinating riddles of Washington has uncovered this state’s diverse landscapes, cultures, history and wildlife. From the windswept shores of the Puget Sound to the volcanic peaks of the Cascades, Washington is filled with natural beauty. Its rich human history spans Native American heritage, early pioneers, maritime trade and the modern technology hub of Seattle. The people, ideas and innovations that emerged from this distinctive place shaped Washington into the dynamic state it is today. Hopefully these riddles have brought some of Washington’s unique charm to light!
