Minnesota Trivia: 40+ Questions & Answers About the Land of 10,000 Lakes

Minnesota isn’t just known for its 10,000 lakes—it’s a state full of history, quirky traditions, and famous faces. From icy winters and hotdishes to legendary musicians and beloved state fairs, there’s something fascinating around every corner of the North Star State.
Whether you’re a Minnesotan by birth or just love fun facts, these trivia questions are sure to test your knowledge.

Answers are provided below. Let’s dive in!

Table of Contents

Round 1 – Multiple Choice Minnesota Questions

What is the state bird of Minnesota?
- a) Northern cardinal
- b) Common loon
- c) American robin
- d) Bald eagle
Which river forms part of the border between Minnesota and Wisconsin?
- a) Mississippi River
- b) St. Croix River
- c) Minnesota River
- d) Red River
What is the nickname of Minnesota?
- a) The Empire State
- b) The Land of Enchantment
- c) The North Star State
- d) The Golden State
Which city is known as the “Twin Cities” in Minnesota?
- a) Duluth
- b) Minneapolis and St. Paul
- c) Rochester
- d) Bloomington
What is the state flower of Minnesota?
- a) Bluebell
- b) Lady’s slipper
- c) Sunflower
- d) Lily
Which large lake forms part of Minnesota’s border with Canada?
- a) Lake Superior
- b) Lake of the Woods
- c) Lake Minnetonka
- d) Leech Lake
What is the official state sport of Minnesota?
- a) Ice hockey
- b) American football
- c) Baseball
- d) Basketball
What is the Minnesota state motto?
- a) Land of 10,000 Lakes
- b) L’Etoile du Nord (The Star of the North)
- c) North to the Future
- d) Sic Semper Tyrannis (Thus Always to Tyrants)
Which famous folk musician was born in Duluth, Minnesota?
- a) Woody Guthrie
- b) Pete Seeger
- c) Bob Dylan
- d) Joan Baez
Which national park in Minnesota is known for its interconnected waterways?
- a) Voyageurs National Park
- b) Yellowstone National Park
- c) Acadia National Park
- d) Glacier National Park
What is the state fish of Minnesota?
- a) Northern pike
- b) Walleye
- c) Bluegill
- d) Largemouth bass
Which company, known for its office products, was founded in Minnesota?
- a) Apple Inc.
- b) Microsoft Corporation
- c) 3M
- d) Google LLC
Which famous architect designed the Minneapolis Central Library?
- a) Frank Gehry
- b) I. M. Pei
- c) Rem Koolhaas
- d) César Pelli
In which year did Minnesota become the 32nd state to join the United States?
- a) 1818
- b) 1848
- c) 1858
- d) 1876
Which major river runs through the city of Minneapolis?
- a) Missouri River
- b) Ohio River
- c) Mississippi River
- d) Red River

Round 1 – Answers

What is the state bird of Minnesota?
- Answer: b) Common loon
Which river forms part of the border between Minnesota and Wisconsin?
- Answer: b) St. Croix River
What is the nickname of Minnesota?
- Answer: c) The North Star State
Which city is known as the “Twin Cities” in Minnesota?
- Answer: b) Minneapolis and St. Paul
What is the state flower of Minnesota?
- Answer: b) Lady’s slipper
Which large lake forms part of Minnesota’s border with Canada?
- Answer: b) Lake of the Woods
What is the official state sport of Minnesota?
- Answer: a) Ice hockey
What is the Minnesota state motto?
- Answer: b) L’Etoile du Nord (The Star of the North)
Which famous folk musician was born in Duluth, Minnesota?
- Answer: c) Bob Dylan
Which national park in Minnesota is known for its interconnected waterways?
- Answer: a) Voyageurs National Park
What is the state fish of Minnesota?
- Answer: b) Walleye
Which company, known for its office products, was founded in Minnesota?
- Answer: c) 3M
Which famous architect designed the Minneapolis Central Library?
- Answer: b) I. M. Pei
In which year did Minnesota become the 32nd state to join the United States?
- Answer: c) 1858
Which major river runs through the city of Minneapolis?
- Answer: c) Mississippi River

Round 2 – Multiple Choice Minnesota Questions

Which Minnesota-born author wrote the children’s book “Little House on the Prairie”?
- a) Laura Ingalls Wilder
- b) Louisa May Alcott
- c) Judy Blume
- d) J.K. Rowling
What is the state muffin of Minnesota?
- a) Blueberry
- b) Chocolate chip
- c) Corn
- d) Cranberry
Which famous comedian and actor was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota?
- a) Steve Martin
- b) Will Ferrell
- c) Chris Rock
- d) Eddie Murphy
What is the Minnesota state soil?
- a) Alfisol
- b) Gelisol
- c) Spodosol
- d) Mollisol
In what year did the first European settlement in Minnesota occur?
- a) 1620
- b) 1750
- c) 1825
- d) 1849
Which famous music icon was born in Minneapolis and was known for his symbol as a stage name?
- a) Prince
- b) Michael Jackson
- c) David Bowie
- d) Elvis Presley
What is the state tree of Minnesota?
- a) Oak
- b) Maple
- c) Pine
- d) Birch
What is the largest county by area in Minnesota?
- a) Hennepin County
- b) St. Louis County
- c) Ramsey County
- d) Anoka County
Which Minnesota city is known for its Mayo Clinic, one of the largest medical centers in the world?
- a) St. Cloud
- b) Rochester
- c) Mankato
- d) Winona
What is the state beverage of Minnesota?
- a) Coffee
- b) Milk
- c) Beer
- d) Grape juice
Which famous retail company, specializing in outdoor recreation merchandise, was founded in Minnesota?
- a) Cabela’s
- b) REI (Recreational Equipment, Inc.)
- c) Bass Pro Shops
- d) L.L.Bean
Which famous hockey player, known as “The Great One,” was born in Brantford, Ontario, but played for the Minnesota North Stars in the NHL?
- a) Mario Lemieux
- b) Wayne Gretzky
- c) Bobby Orr
- d) Gordie Howe
What is the state fossil of Minnesota?
- a) Triceratops
- b) Tyrannosaurus rex
- c) Dunkleosteus
- d) Tullimonstrum gregarium (Tully Monster)
What is the name of the large shopping mall in Bloomington, Minnesota, that features an indoor amusement park called Nickelodeon Universe?
- a) Mall of America
- b) West Edmonton Mall
- c) King of Prussia Mall
- d) Mall at Millennia
Which Native American tribe has a reservation located in southwestern Minnesota?
- a) Ojibwe
- b) Dakota
- c) Apache
- d) Navajo
Which famous wrestler, actor, and former professional football player attended the University of Minnesota before gaining fame in the WWE?
- a) Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson
- b) Hulk Hogan
- c) “Stone Cold” Steve Austin
- d) John Cena

Round 2 – Answers

Which Minnesota-born author wrote the children’s book “Little House on the Prairie”?
- Answer: a) Laura Ingalls Wilder
What is the state muffin of Minnesota?
- Answer: c) Corn
Which famous comedian and actor was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota?
- Answer: b) Will Ferrell
What is the Minnesota state soil?
- Answer: c) Spodosol
In what year did the first European settlement in Minnesota occur?
- Answer: c) 1825
Which famous music icon was born in Minneapolis and was known for his symbol as a stage name?
- Answer: a) Prince
What is the state tree of Minnesota?
- Answer: c) Pine
What is the largest county by area in Minnesota?
- Answer: b) St. Louis County
Which Minnesota city is known for its Mayo Clinic, one of the largest medical centers in the world?
- Answer: b) Rochester
What is the state beverage of Minnesota?
- Answer: b) Milk
Which famous retail company, specializing in outdoor recreation merchandise, was founded in Minnesota?
- Answer: a) Cabela’s
Which famous hockey player, known as “The Great One,” was born in Brantford, Ontario, but played for the Minnesota North Stars in the NHL?
- Answer: b) Wayne Gretzky
What is the state fossil of Minnesota?
- Answer: d) Tullimonstrum gregarium (Tully Monster)
What is the name of the large shopping mall in Bloomington, Minnesota, that features an indoor amusement park called Nickelodeon Universe?
- Answer: a) Mall of America
Which Native American tribe has a reservation located in southwestern Minnesota?
- Answer: b) Dakota
Which famous wrestler, actor, and former professional football player attended the University of Minnesota before gaining fame in the WWE?
- Answer: a) Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson

Round 3 – Multiple Choice Minnesota Questions

In which year was the first steamboat launched on the Mississippi River in Minnesota?
- a) 1776
- b) 1811
- c) 1835
- d) 1860
What is the name of the professional American football team based in Minneapolis?
- a) Minnesota Vikings
- b) Minnesota Packers
- c) Minnesota Bears
- d) Minnesota Patriots
Which waterfall, located in Minneapolis, is the only natural major waterfall on the Mississippi River?
- a) Minnehaha Falls
- b) Bridal Veil Falls
- c) Gooseberry Falls
- d) St. Anthony Falls
What is the state butterfly of Minnesota?
- a) Monarch butterfly
- b) Viceroy butterfly
- c) Painted lady butterfly
- d) Karner blue butterfly
Which renowned chef and television personality was born in Minneapolis and is known for his fusion of Asian and American cuisine?
- a) Anthony Bourdain
- b) Bobby Flay
- c) Emeril Lagasse
- d) Andrew Zimmern
Which historic ship, located in Duluth, Minnesota, is now a museum open to the public?
- a) USS Constitution
- b) USS Missouri
- c) SS Edmund Fitzgerald
- d) HMS Victory
Which famous writer of horror and supernatural fiction spent part of his childhood living in Minneapolis, Minnesota?
- a) Stephen King
- b) H.P. Lovecraft
- c) Edgar Allan Poe
- d) Shirley Jackson
What is the state beverage of Minnesota?
- a) Beer
- b) Milk
- c) Apple cider
- d) Grape juice
Which Minnesota city is known for its annual Winter Carnival, featuring ice sculptures and other winter activities?
- a) Duluth
- b) St. Cloud
- c) Rochester
- d) St. Paul
Which river runs through the city of Rochester, Minnesota?
- a) Mississippi River
- b) Minnesota River
- c) Zumbro River
- d) St. Croix River
Which famous children’s author, known for the “Goosebumps” series, was born in Columbus, Ohio, but spent part of his childhood in Bexley, Minnesota?
- a) Judy Blume
- b) Dr. Seuss
- c) Roald Dahl
- d) R.L. Stine
What is the state soil of Minnesota?
- a) Alfisol
- b) Gelisol
- c) Mollisol
- d) Luvisol
Which national scenic byway in Minnesota runs along the North Shore of Lake Superior?
- a) Great River Road
- b) Lake Superior Circle Tour
- c) Paul Bunyan Scenic Byway
- d) Gunflint Trail
What is the name of the university located in Moorhead, Minnesota, known for its large collection of Norwegian books and artifacts?
- a) Carleton College
- b) St. Olaf College
- c) Gustavus Adolphus College
- d) Concordia College
What is the state sport of Minnesota?
- a) Ice Hockey
- b) American Football
- c) Baseball
- d) Basketball

Round 3 – Answers

In which year was the first steamboat launched on the Mississippi River in Minnesota?
- Answer: b) 1811
What is the name of the professional American football team based in Minneapolis?
- Answer: a) Minnesota Vikings
Which waterfall, located in Minneapolis, is the only natural major waterfall on the Mississippi River?
- Answer: d) St. Anthony Falls
What is the state butterfly of Minnesota?
- Answer: d) Karner blue butterfly
Which renowned chef and television personality was born in Minneapolis and is known for his fusion of Asian and American cuisine?
- Answer: d) Andrew Zimmern
Which historic ship, located in Duluth, Minnesota, is now a museum open to the public?
- Answer: c) SS Edmund Fitzgerald
Which famous writer of horror and supernatural fiction spent part of his childhood living in Minneapolis, Minnesota?
- Answer: a) Stephen King
What is the state beverage of Minnesota?
- Answer: d) Grape juice
Which Minnesota city is known for its annual Winter Carnival, featuring ice sculptures and other winter activities?
- Answer: d) St. Paul
Which river runs through the city of Rochester, Minnesota?
- Answer: c) Zumbro River
Which famous children’s author, known for the “Goosebumps” series, was born in Columbus, Ohio, but spent part of his childhood in Bexley, Minnesota?
- Answer: d) R.L. Stine
What is the state soil of Minnesota?
- Answer: a) Alfisol
Which national scenic byway in Minnesota runs along the North Shore of Lake Superior?
- Answer: b) Lake Superior Circle Tour
What is the name of the university located in Moorhead, Minnesota, known for its large collection of Norwegian books and artifacts?
- Answer: d) Concordia College
What is the state sport of Minnesota?
- Answer: c) Baseball

Round 4 – Multiple Choice Minnesota Questions

Which Minnesota-based company is famous for its production of breakfast cereals like Cheerios and Lucky Charms?
- a) General Mills
- b) Kellogg Company
- c) Post Consumer Brands
- d) Quaker Oats Company
What is the state dog breed of Minnesota?
- a) Golden Retriever
- b) Labrador Retriever
- c) German Shepherd
- d) Border Collie
In which year was the Minneapolis Institute of Art established?
- a) 1883
- b) 1915
- c) 1934
- d) 1956
Which national park in Minnesota is known for its abundance of ancient rock formations and Native American petroglyphs?
- a) Isle Royale National Park
- b) Pipestone National Monument
- c) Apostle Islands National Lakeshore
- d) Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore
Which Minnesota-born actress played the role of Princess Leia in the Star Wars films?
- a) Carrie Fisher
- b) Natalie Portman
- c) Meryl Streep
- d) Julia Roberts
What is the state fish of Minnesota?
- a) Walleye
- b) Northern Pike
- c) Muskellunge
- d) Smallmouth Bass
Which Minnesota lake is known as the “Land of 10,000 Lakes”?
- a) Lake Superior
- b) Lake Mille Lacs
- c) Lake Minnetonka
- d) Lake Itasca
Which Minnesota city is known as the “Birthplace of Minnesota”?
- a) Stillwater
- b) Duluth
- c) St. Cloud
- d) Winona
What is the state butterfly of Minnesota?
- a) Monarch Butterfly
- b) Karner Blue Butterfly
- c) Painted Lady Butterfly
- d) Swallowtail Butterfly
Which famous director, known for films such as “Fargo” and “No Country for Old Men,” was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota?
- a) Steven Spielberg
- b) Martin Scorsese
- c) Joel Coen
- d) Quentin Tarantino
What is the state muffin of Minnesota?
- a) Blueberry
- b) Chocolate Chip
- c) Cranberry
- d) Corn
Which Minnesota city is known for its annual Renaissance Festival, one of the largest in the United States?
- a) Shakopee
- b) Eagan
- c) Burnsville
- d) Bloomington
What is the state tree of Minnesota?
- a) Oak
- b) Maple
- c) Pine
- d) Birch
Which Minnesota-based company is famous for its production of medical devices and technology?
- a) Boston Scientific
- b) Johnson & Johnson
- c) Medtronic
- d) Abbott Laboratories
Which famous playwright, known for works like “A Streetcar Named Desire” and “The Glass Menagerie,” was born in Minnesota?
- a) Tennessee Williams
- b) Arthur Miller
- c) Eugene O’Neill
- d) Edward Albee
What is the state fruit of Minnesota?
- a) Apple
- b) Strawberry
- c) Blueberry
- d) Raspberry

Round 4 – Answers

Which Minnesota-based company is famous for its production of breakfast cereals like Cheerios and Lucky Charms?
- Answer: a) General Mills
What is the state dog breed of Minnesota?
- Answer: b) Labrador Retriever
In which year was the Minneapolis Institute of Art established?
- Answer: b) 1915
Which national park in Minnesota is known for its abundance of ancient rock formations and Native American petroglyphs?
- Answer: b) Pipestone National Monument
Which Minnesota-born actress played the role of Princess Leia in the Star Wars films?
- Answer: a) Carrie Fisher
What is the state fish of Minnesota?
- Answer: c) Muskellunge
Which Minnesota lake is known as the “Land of 10,000 Lakes”?
- Answer: c) Lake Minnetonka
Which Minnesota city is known as the “Birthplace of Minnesota”?
- Answer: a) Stillwater
What is the state butterfly of Minnesota?
- Answer: c) Painted Lady Butterfly
Which famous director, known for films such as “Fargo” and “No Country for Old Men,” was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota?
- Answer: c) Joel Coen
What is the state muffin of Minnesota?
- Answer: b) Chocolate Chip
Which Minnesota city is known for its annual Renaissance Festival, one of the largest in the United States?
- Answer: a) Shakopee
What is the state tree of Minnesota?
- Answer: d) Birch
Which Minnesota-based company is famous for its production of medical devices and technology?
- Answer: c) Medtronic
Which famous playwright, known for works like “A Streetcar Named Desire” and “The Glass Menagerie,” was born in Minnesota?
- Answer: a) Tennessee Williams
What is the state fruit of Minnesota?
- Answer: c) Blueberry