North Carolina, located in the Southeastern United States, is known for its diverse landscapes, historical significance, and vibrant culture. The state's capital is Raleigh and the largest city is Charlotte. North Carolina was one of the original thirteen colonies and was the 12th state to ratify the U.S. Constitution. The state has a rich history, from the Revolutionary War battles fought on its soil to the role of its cities in the Civil War.
The state is home to many notable landmarks, such as the Wright Brothers National Memorial, the Biltmore Estate, and the Blue Ridge Parkway. North Carolina is also known for its contributions to American culture, including its role in the development of American music, particularly the blues, jazz and country music. North Carolina is also a center of higher education and research, with prestigious universities such as the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Duke University and North Carolina State University.
Trivia questions about North Carolina can include questions about its history, geography, culture, and famous residents. This article will test your knowledge of the state's past and present, from its role in the Civil War to its contributions to American culture. Get ready to learn more about North Carolina and see how well you fare against these challenging trivia questions. Whether you're a resident of the state or just a curious trivia buff, this article is sure to be an engaging and informative read.
161 North Carolina Trivia Questions Ranked From Easiest to Hardest (Updated for 2024)
- On its Eastern side, Tennessee shares a border with what U.S. state that's unofficially nicknamed "The Tar Heel State"?
Answer: North Carolina
- The Charlotte Convention Center in North Carolina is home to the hall of fame of what stock car racing association?
Answer: NASCAR
- North Carolina's Piedmont region has historically been known for the growth of what crop, with modern companies such as Phillip Morris, Reynolds American, and Lorillard still having a heavy presence within the state?
Answer: Tobacco
- Celonis has offices in three U.S. states. Its headquarters are in New York, and there are two locations in California (San Francisco and Los Angeles) - what other state on the East Coast has an office?
Answer: North Carolina (Raleigh)
- Raleigh native Michael C. Hall is probably best known for playing the titular serial killer on what Showtime drama that ran from 2006 to 2013?
Answer: Dexter
- Later adapted into a 2004 film starring Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams, what Nicholas Sparks novel tells the love story of a soldier who returns to North Carolina after fighting in World War II?
Answer: The Notebook
- Winston-Salem, North Carolina is home to the last standing clam-shaped building once used as a gas station by what petroleum giant?
Answer: Shell
- North Carolina leads the nation in the production of what tuber, the state vegetable, which is used in pies and Thanksgiving casseroles?
Answer: Sweet Potato
- North Carolina's Research Triangle Park is made up of three major universities in the Raleigh area - North Carolina State University, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and what third university?
Answer: Duke University
- Contributing to its nickname of the "Smithsonian of the South", the Marbles Kids Museum, the Pope House Museum, and the North Carolina Museum of History are all located in which city?
Answer: Raleigh
- Built in the late 1890s by a member of the Vanderbilt family, what Asheville estate bills itself as "America's largest home?"
Answer: Biltmore Estate
- What is the name of the triple-A minor league baseball affiliate of the Chicago White Sox that plays its home games at Truist Field in Charlotte?
Answer: Charlotte Knights
- What carnivorous plant, first formally discovered in 1759, is only native to the wetlands of North and South Carolina?
Answer: Venus flytrap
- What hyphenated North Carolina town, home to Wake Forest University, gets its name from a Revolutionary War hero and a version of the Hebrew word for "peace?"
Answer: Winston-Salem
- Barefoot workers who distilled turpentine from pine tree sap and got sticky stuff on the soles of their feet is the source of what nickname for North Carolinians?
Answer: Tarheels
- What North Carolina-based video game company created the 2018 breakout hit "Fortnite"?
Answer: Epic Games
- At a length of 1,908 miles, what is the longest north-south interstate highway in the US? The highway was not fully completed until 2018 when a gap in New Jersey was filled and it now fully connects Florida to Maine while serving all major cities from Jacksonville to Washington to New York to Boston to Portland.
Answer: I-95
- Legend has it that Michael Jordan didn't want to wear the original Air Jordan 1 since red and black repped a rival of his alma mater in what U.S. state?
Answer: North Carolina
- What popular North Carolina-based television show centers on the conflict between seasonal "Kooks" and local "Pogues?"
Answer: Outer Banks
- In April 2023, the Carolina Panthers used their number-one overall pick to draft what Alabama player for the quarterback position?
Answer: Bryce Young
- The biggest research park in America is located between Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill. Given its position, which geometric shape is in its name?
Answer: Triangle
- After taking office in 2017, who is the current and 75th governor of North Carolina?
Answer: Roy Cooper
- What Asheville, North Carolina estate did USA Today name in August 2023 on its list of the top 100 most overpriced tourist attractions in the world?
Answer: Biltmore Estate
- You'll be busy finding the answer to this one...What is the state insect of North Carolina?
Answer: Honeybee
- Previously known as the Wachovia Championship, the Wells Fargo Championship is an annual competition in Charlotte in what sport?
Answer: Golf
- Despite having been founded with money made in the tobacco industry, what prestigious North Carolina university declared itself a 100% tobacco-free campus in July 2020?
Answer: Duke University
- What North Carolina sports team plays its home games at PNC Arena in Raleigh and has a mascot called Stormy?
Answer: Carolina Hurricanes
- What hall of fame baseball player, the Sultan of Swat, hit his first professional home run in Fayetteville in 1914?
Answer: Babe Ruth
- Though its name might fool you into thinking it's made elsewhere, what brand of hot sauce, the third best-selling in the United States, has been manufactured in Winston-Salem since 1929?
Answer: Texas Pete
- Winston-Salem's Art Deco Reynolds Building, completed in 1929, is well known as an inspiration for what other, taller building, completed two years later? It's only a legend, however, that this skyscraper sends the Reynolds Building a yearly "Father's Day" card.
Answer: Empire State Building
- This running mate of John Kerry in the 2004 Presidential election hailed from what state, which John Kerry failed to carry in the electoral college?
Answer: North Carolina
- About a week after Lee's surrender at Appomattox, Confederate general Joseph E. Johnston surrendered at Bennett Place near Durham to what Union general famous for his "March to the Sea?"
Answer: William T. Sherman
- The sleepy town of Mount Airy was the inspiration for what fictional town and its famous sheriff, both of whom appeared on TV for the first time in 1960?
Answer: Mayberry
- In what North Carolina city was the television drama "One Tree Hill" shot? The city is also home to the Battleship North Carolina and the North Carolina Aquarium.
Answer: Wilmington
- What notorious pirate "lost his head" when he was defeated by the British Navy off the coast of Ocracoke in 1718?
Answer: Blackbeard
- Cary is home pitch for a National Women's Soccer League team with what team name that the lion in "The Wizard of Oz" would love?
Answer: Courage
- Although it has a North Carolina address, a major NC attraction that opened in 1973 at a cost of $70 million is actually along the North Carolina-South Carolina state line with a portion of the attraction in Fort Mill, SC. What is this attraction?
Answer: Carowinds
- In February 2019, what college athlete made national headlines after a pair of his Nike shoes exploded during a basketball game against North Carolina?
Answer: Zion Williamson
- In the 1953-54 season, Durham's Duke University Blue Devils started playing their games in what collegiate athletic conference that also includes the Virginia Tech Hokies and the UNC Tar Heels?
Answer: ACC
- His Basketball Hall of Fame induction ceremony, not a UNC loss to Villanova is the source of a popular "crying" meme of what legendary former player and Charlotte Hornets owner?
Answer: Michael Jordan
- What is the name for the barrier islands separating North Carolina's Currituck Sound, Albemarle Sound, and Pamlico Sound from the Atlantic Ocean?
Answer: Outer Banks
- He has over 140 million subscribers on YouTube, giving him the most subscribed to channel by an individual creator on the site. By what name does Greenville-raised internet personality (and philanthropist) Jimmy Donaldson go by online?
Answer: MrBeast
- North Carolina A&T State University’s official school colors are gold and what primary color?
Answer: Blue
- Representing seven states, including Illinois, North Carolina, and West Virginia, what bird is the most popular choice for official state bird in the U.S.?
Answer: Northern Cardinal
- What highest peak on the eastern escarpment of the Blue Ridge Mountains, located in Linville shares its name with the relationship of John Barrymore to Drew Barrymore?
Answer: Grandfather Mountain
- Inspired by the actual HBCU North Carolina A&T, the fictitious institution Atlanta A&T University was the central setting for what 2002 film starring Nick Cannon portraying an aspiring college marching band percussionist?
Answer: Drumline
- In July 2013, Nike's website sold a t-shirt with a silhouette of the state of South Carolina. However, this was soon noticed by observant fans as a mistake, considering the sports team featured played its games in North Carolina. What was this team?
Answer: Carolina Panthers
- What national forest, in the A”p”palachian mountains in western North Carolina, is entirely located within the state? It gets its name from the Hebrew word for “summit”, and was the name of the mountain from which Moses first saw the promised land.
Answer: Pisgah
- The Outer Banks of Carteret County, NC, are home to what 56-mile long “L” Cape and National Seashore, running from Ocracoke Inlet to Beaufort Inlet? Its name is a word for a place from which to keep watch or view the landscape.
Answer: Cape Lookout
- Although neither Darius Rucker nor Old Crow Medicine Show is originally from North Carolina, both struck big referencing the state singing "rock me, mama" in what alliterative two-word song? Hint: We're looking for BOTH end-of-the-alphabet words here.
Answer: Wagon Wheel
- Although he was born in Raleigh, North Carolina, what future U.S. president grew up in poverty in Greeneville, Tennessee before growing up to become a U.S. senator from the state?
Answer: Andrew Johnson
- Although "First in Flight" is more common, what other "First" phrase is often seen on North Carolina license plates as a way to recognize the signing of the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence and the Halifax Resolves?
Answer: First in Freedom
- A Walk to Remember, The Notebook, and Nights in Rodanthe were all 2000s films set in North Carolina's Outer Banks and based on best-selling novels by what writer?
Answer: Nicholas Sparks
- Although the company maintains and distributes many types of open source software, it is most well known for its enterprise Linux and virtualization products. What is this company headquartered in Raleigh and purchased by IBM in 2019? You might also see their name written when visiting a haberdasher.
Answer: Red Hat
- Founded in 1979, the Greensboro Grasshoppers are locally known for playing in the minor league level in what sport?
Answer: Baseball
- The historic Qualla Boundary in Western North Carolina is occupied by the "Eastern Band" of what Native American Tribe, who give their name to a nearby town?
Answer: Cherokee
- What famous drink was introduced as "Brad's Drink" in New Bern in 1893 at a drugstore? The product was renamed five years later after the Greek "p" word for "digestion."
Answer: Pepsi Cola
- What waterfall is located near Brevard on the western side of the state? It shares a name with an object that Alice went through in an 1871 Lewis Carroll novel.
Answer: Looking Glass Falls
- The highest point in North America east of the Mississippi River is found at what alliteratively-named North Carolina peak?
Answer: Mount Mitchell
- Vernon Rudolph bought a sweet yeast-raised recipe from a New Orleans chef, rented a building in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and started a company in 1937. Fast forward almost 100 years later, and the alliterative company started by Rudolph is still headquartered in North Carolina featuring a classic red-and-green logo. What is this company?
Answer: Krispy Kreme
- Ranked by square miles, Arkansas is the 29th largest state in the US. Name either the 28th or 30th largest state. Hint: Both are on the opposite side of the Mississippi River as Arkansas.
Answer: North Carolina (28th) and Alabama (30th)
- Before it moved to North Carolina in 1997 and was renamed the Hurricanes, what was the name of the NHL franchise of Hartford, Connecticut?
Answer: Whalers
- What one-named recording artist featured Greenville, North Carolina native Petey Pablo on her 2004 number-one hit song, "Goodies?"
Answer: Ciara
- What governor of North Carolina, elected in 2017, and former Attorney General of North Carolina, has a last name which literally means “barrel maker”?
Answer: Roy Cooper
- Raleigh, North Carolina was the birthplace for what 17th president of the United States?
Answer: Andrew Johnson
- What “C” is a mountain in the Great Smoky Mountains in North Carolina, noted for its circular shape on top? Its name kind of sounds like a person owned by static from the dryer.
Answer: Clingmans Dome
- What “L” drug testing company, founded in 1978 in North Carolina, offers 36 processing locations across the country? Its name implies the clinical nature of its business.
Answer: LabCorp
- Led by Rep. Harry Warren, a 2021 North Carolina state bill could remove the ability to block residential solar panel installation by what non-governmental local groups?
Answer: HOAs
- What Vicks product was conceived in pharmacist and North Carolinian Lunsford Richardson after mixing menthol into petroleum jelly?
Answer: Vicks VapoRub
- March 7, 1914 in Fayetteville, North Carolina is when and where what famous baseball player nicknamed “The Great Bambino” hit his first-ever professional career home run?
Answer: Babe Ruth
- What two museums in Charlotte, NC, one on Randolph Rd and one located Uptown, showcase art from around the globe? Their name is the same as the government facility that manufactures currency.
Answer: Mint Museum Randolph
- As a tribute to "The Andy Griffith Show," TV Land erected a statue in Mt. Airy, North Carolina of Andy Griffith and Ron Howard carrying what type of sporting equipment?
Answer: Fishing poles / Fishing rods
- What powerhouse Spokane school advanced to their first ever NCAA Men's Basketball final in 2017, ultimately losing to the University of North Carolina?
Answer: Gonzaga University
- Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill make up the three points of North Carolina's Research Triangle. What other "triple" word is used to describe the region anchored by Greensboro, Winston-Salem, and High Point?
Answer: The Triad
- Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, North Carolina hosts NASCAR's longest race, a "600" mile race sponsored by what beverage company?
Answer: Coca-Cola
- Which author and poet’s home in Flat Rock is a national historic site? (Hint: He was known for “The War Years,” for which he won the Pulitzer Prize, and his wife Lilian was known for her goat farming).
Answer: Carl Sandburg
- The Pixar movie Cars debuted in 2006 at Lowe's Motor Speedway, a legendary NASCAR track home to the Coca-Cola 500, in what state?
Answer: North Carolina
- Forget State Foods and State Trees, North Carolina is one of the 15 U.S. states that has an official State Shell. Derived from its resemblance to the headgear of early European settlers, and definitely not to be confused with a variety of chilli pepper, what is the name of this seashell?
Answer: Scotch Bonnet
- At a record of 5838 days, and serving from 1977-1985, and again from 1993-2001, who is the longest serving Governor in the history of North Carolina?
Answer: Jim Hunt
- What is the official state dog of North Carolina? The breed was developed by, and named for, a German immigrant to North Carolina.
Answer: Plott hound
- The infamous "Lost Colony" of Sir Walter Raleigh was located on what island in North Carolina's Outer Banks?
Answer: Roanoke Island
- Also known as “the people’s house” what is the address of the North Carolina Executive Mansion in Raleigh, the official residence of the Governor?
Answer: 200 N. Blount St
- The landscaping for the grounds of the Biltmore estate in Asheville was designed by what famed landscape architect? The same architect was responsible for New York's Central Park and Stanford University's campus.
Answer: Frederick Law Olmsted
- The CSS Curlew was a paddlewheel steamboat in the Confederate Navy during the American Civil War. It was run aground during the battle for what island located in what is now Dare County? The shipwreck was discovered in 1988, and it is now on the National Register of Historic Places.
Answer: Roanoke
- An expedition led by what European explorer is the first Western expedition to have explored what is now North Carolina? This same explorer has a bridge named for him in New York.
Answer: Giovanni da Verrazzano
- What town, located in Beaufort County, was the first town in North Carolina? It shares a name with a town in England famous for having vestiges of Roman occupation still standing.
Answer: Bath
- "An object that spins or whirls, or has at least one part that spins or whirls," is one definition for what whimiscal art object? A public park in Wilson, North Carolina displays dozens of works by this name by local artist Vollis Simpson.
Answer: Whirligig
- What appropriate name is given to the flat boulder and popular tourist spot in Pisgah National Forest in North Carolina where visitors can slip 60 feet down a current of water into a shallow pool?
Answer: Sliding Rock
- Who was the last colonial governor of North Carolina, who served from 1771 to 1775, before fleeing in fear?
Answer: Josiah Martin
- Although it's often cultivated for sale, what's either one of the two states where the infamous carnivorous plant known as the Venus Flytrap naturally grows in subtropical wetlands?
Answer: North Carolina, South Carolina
- On January 16, 1777, who was sworn in as the first governor of North Carolina? He has two two more one-year terms before stepping down in 1780.
Answer: Richard Caswell
- What mascot is shared by Texas A&M, North Carolina A&T, New Mexico State, Utah State, and many other universities in recognition of their heritage as agricultural training institutions?
Answer: Aggies
- With 179,900 students home schooled, what U.S. state has the most students studying that way?
Answer: North Carolina
- What zoologically named town on North Carolina's Outer Banks was the location of the Wright Brothers' operations when they became the first to operate a human-powered flying machine in 1903?
Answer: Kitty Hawk
- The town of Chapel Hill is technically in three counties. The largest of these counties by population is Durham, then Orange, and then what is the smallest of these three?
Answer: Chatham County
- Distinctive for its black-and-white striped pattern, the tallest brick lighthouse in the U.S. is located on what North Carolina cape?
Answer: Cape Hatteras
- There's a Nike-sponsored athlete that won Super Bowl XLVIII and also played college football at both North Carolina State and Wisconsin. Who is this Ohio-born quarterback?
Answer: Russell Wilson
- Susan Sarandon plays a baseball groupie who has an affair every season with a different player on a North Carolina minor-league team, in what classic 1998 rom-com?
Answer: Bull Durham
- Born in Level Cross, North Carolina in 1937, what legendary NASCAR driver is nicknamed "The King?"
Answer: Richard Petty
- Will Ferrell and Zach Galifianakis star as two North Carolinians vying for a seat in Congress in what 2012 satirical political comedy?
Answer: The Campaign
- The nearly 100-acre park in Charlotte named Freedom Park is bordered by Myers Park and what other historic neighborhood?
Answer: Dilworth
- Born in Waxhaw Settlement between what is now the border of North and South Carolina, what general, statesman, and lawyer became the 7th president of the U.S. in 1829 who appointed John C. Calhoun as his veep during his first term in office?
Answer: Andrew Jackson
- Raleigh officially calls itself "The City of" what trees, supposedly named so by the city's founders?
Answer: Oaks
- North Carolina’s General Assembly of 1987 officially adopted what drink as its state beverage and is also the traditional celebratory beverage of Indianapolis 500 winners?
Answer: Milk
- Which North Carolina island in Dare County is world-famous for the Lost Colony of the 16th century?
Answer: roanoke
- Among the first 13 colonies, which number was North Carolina in becoming part of the United States, i.e., What number were they in adopting the Constitution?
Answer: Twelve
- Succeeding BET founder Robert L. Johnson in 2010, Michael Jordan became the new owner of the Charlotte Hornets – who were formerly known as what NBA team from 2004-2014?
Answer: Charlotte Bobcats
- North Carolina was named for what person who was publicly executed years before North Carolina became a formal colony?
Answer: King Charles I
- Though it isn't home to Charlotte (the state's largest city), what county, which contains the cities of Raleigh and Cary, is North Carolina's most populous?
Answer: Wake County
- Which town on Bogue Banks Island shares its name with a green gemstone?
Answer: Emerald Isle
- Greensboro's International Civil Rights Center and Museum sits at the site of a former franchise of what now defunct retail chain? The sit-ins that took place here over five months in 1960 forced this company to end the practice of segregation at their lunch counters.
Answer: F. W. Woolworth
- What venerable Asheville barbecue joint with a number in its name was notably a favorite of President Barack Obama, who notably ate there on the campaign trail in 2008?
Answer: 12 Bones
- A small Anglican church, built to save parishioners a longer trip to Hillsborough, is the namesake of what North Carolina town?
Answer: Chapel Hill
- On March 30, 2008, Stephen Curry set the NCAA men's basketball record with his 159th three-pointer of the season during a March Madness game against Kansas. For what North Carolina school was Steph Curry playing?
Answer: Davidson
- One of only four U.S. presidents never to have had a vice-president, which president was born in Raleigh on December 29, 1808?
Answer: Andrew Johnson
- Famous for her recordings of "I Put a Spell on You" and "To Be Young, Gifted, and Black," Eunice Kathleen Waymon of Tryon, North Carolina was best known by what name?
Answer: Nina Simone
- Based on the Nicholas Sparks novel of the same name, what 2015 film stars Scott Eastwood as a professional bull rider who meets his sweetheart at North Carolina's Wake Forest University?
Answer: The Longest Ride
- Fittingly, what company has been headquartered at the corner of Cucumber & Vine since its founding nearly 100 years ago? (Make sure you "pick" the right one).
Answer: Mt. Olive
- In November 2018, who took over as the head football coach at the University of North Carolina, replacing Larry Fedora?
Answer: Mack Brown
- What Kannapolis native was known as "The Intimidator" or "The Man in Black?"
Answer: Dale Earnhardt, Sr.
- What “B” Island Lighthouse in Nags Head is part of the peninsula that forms the Cape Hatteras National Seashore?
Answer: Bodie Island Lighthouse
- In 2020, what North Carolina incumbent senator defeated challenger Cal Cunningham in the most expensive senate election in history up to that point?
Answer: Thom Tillis
- The Wright brothers made the first recorded heavier-than-air, machine-powered flight on December 17, 1903 at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. What was the name of the brother who was actually flying the plane for the historic first flight?
Answer: Orville
- What North Carolina university was founded in 1838 as Brown's Schoolhouse, becoming the Union Institute Academy in 1941 after the state granted the school a charter? The school was renamed in 1924 after the father of the founder of the American Tobacco Company.
Answer: Duke
- What was the name of the fictional town in North Carolina where The Andy Griffith Show took place? (Hint: It was based on the real town that Griffith grew up in, Mount Airy)
Answer: Mayberry
- Syneos Health is a NASDAQ listed health tech company which is head quartered in Morrisville in which American state?
Answer: North Carolina
- Who was the first person to be born in North Carolina to serve as president of the United States?
Answer: James K. Polk
- Using 2018 estimates, Wilmington, Delaware is not actually the most populous city in the U.S. with the name Wilmington. Rather, a few hundred miles south in North Carolina the larger Wilmington is found. Delaware's Wilmington has the population which represents what PERCENT of North Carolina's Wilmington? As an example, Chicago has 32% of NYC's population.
Answer: 57%
- The title of what 1991 Martin Scorsese film about a criminal who tracks down his former lawyer refers to a location on the Atlantic coastline of North Carolina?
Answer: Cape Fear
- It sounds like a rather gloomy place. What 500,000-acre swamp straddles the border between Virginia and North Carolina?
Answer: Great Dismal Swamp
- Believed to be responsible for up to 600 shipwrecks, the ever-shifting cluster of shallow, underwater sandbars extending eight miles (13 km) out from Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, bear the name of what precious stone?
Answer: Diamond (The Diamond Shoals)
- An overturned carnival truck near the home of a certain Mr. Black is one origin story for Brevard, North Carolina's weird squirrels with coats of what color?
Answer: White
- In the 2000s, Walmart planned to build a chain of smaller discount stores focused on small towns and space-constrained cities in Arkansas, North Carolina, and Chicago. What "speedy" word was the planned name for this chain of stores?
Answer: Walmart Express
- "Scuppernongs," the state fruit of North Carolina are a large, greenish or bronze version of what fruit?
Answer: Grapes
- Limu the Emu approves! Home to the 82nd Airborne and SOCOM, North Carolina's Fort Bragg officially changed its name to what L-word in 2023?
Answer: Liberty
- What American horticulturist owns the Plant Delights Nursery in Raleigh, North Carolina? This man with an “A” last name has numerous plant patents based on his breeding efforts, including Baptisia, Agaves, and Yucca.
Answer: Tony Avent
- What native of Black Mountain, North Carolina scored #1 hits with "Killing Me Softly with His Song" and "The First Time I Ever Saw Your Face?"
Answer: Roberta Flack
- Kill Devil Hills, NC, is home to a national memorial for what pair of inventors, probably better known for their exploits in nearby Kitty Hawk?
Answer: Wright Brothers National Memorial
- Which billionaire from the business of “sports entertainment”, or professional wrestling, who even got into the ring himself, was born on August 24, 1945 in Pinehurst, North Carolina?
Answer: Vince McMahon
- Since 2017, the Carolina Mudcats, who play in Zebulon, have been a minor-league affiliate of what National League Central team?
Answer: Milwaukee Brewers
- Raleigh, North Carolina was named after a favorite courtier of Queen Elizabeth I. Raleigh was his surname, but what was his first name?
Answer: Walter
- What set of buildings located in New Bern was the first permanent capitol of North Carolina? The complex was built in 1770 for the Royal Governor and his family.
Answer: Tryon Palace
- The legendary pirate known as Blackbeard met his final end at the hands of British forces in 1718 near what island in North Carolina's Outer Banks? Blackbeard liked the island for its isolation—even today, it can only be reached by ferry.
Answer: Ocracoke
- Which former football coach at Duke University was also a quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator mentoring Peyton and Eli Manning?
Answer: David Cutcliffe
- The work of Japanese-American photographer George Masa, who lived most of his life in Asheville, North Carolina, is considered instrumental in the creation of what U.S. national park?
Answer: Great Smoky Mountains National Park
- What North Carolina native was the first president of the American Association of Inventors and Manufacturers? Although he also created a rice sowing machine and a screw propellor for a steamboat (among other things), he is best known for inventing the multi-barrel rotating machine-gun which bears his name.
Answer: Gatling
- Which legendary sportscaster was born March 25, 1918 in Winston-Salem, North Carolina?
Answer: Howard Cosell
- There's a town in North Carolina nicknamed "Chair City" with a large chair in the town square. This town shares it name with a namesake company that once focused on furniture but now sells cabinets exclusively through Home Depot locations. What is this town name / name of cabinetmakers?
Answer: Thomasville
- The earliest evidence of humans inhabiting North Carolina dates back 10,000 years. It is found at what site near Badin, NC?
Answer: Hardaway Site
- As of September 2018, "Coffee" is the title of the most-streamed song by what American indie-electronica duo based out North Carolina? The band's two-word name references little-known video game characters.
Answer: Sylvan Esso
- There are two specific dates listed on the official state flag of North Carolina. Name at least one.
Answer: May 20, 1775 / April 12,1776
- Which body of water along the Albemarle-Pamlico Peninsula in Hyde County is the largest natural freshwater lake in NC? (Hint: It’s also part of a nature refuge that’s a very popular spot for geese and swans).
Answer: Lake Mattamuskeet
- A fictionalized version of Asheville, North Carolina features prominently in what holy-sounding 1929 novel by Thomas Wolfe, the author's first?
Answer: Look Homeward, Angel
- What two-word name is given to the resolution adopted on April 12, 1776, by North Carolina that ordered delegates to vote for independence from Great Britain?
Answer: Halifax Resolves
- In 1856, which two-word-named southern state became the last to do away with the rule that you had to own property to vote?
Answer: North Carolina
- What is the name of the Charlotte neighborhood that is often considered the oldest surviving predominantly African-American neighborhood in the city? The neighborhood is one mile west of Uptown and Interstate 77 and is home to Johnson C. Smith University.
Answer: Biddleville
- Located about 100 miles east of Charlotte, what North Carolina golf course that has played host to four U.S. Open women's tournaments is named for features of an evergreen tree?
Answer: Pine Needles
- American Major General Nathanael Greene led a group of rebel fighters against British General Cornwallis at a 1781 battle named for the "Court House" of what North Carolina county?
Answer: Guilford County
- What is the oldest newspaper in North Carolina, first published as the Carolina Observer before changing its name to reflect the city in which it is published?
Answer: Fayetteville Observer
- North Carolina's second oldest town was its first colonial capitol. Established in the late 17th century, it was incorporated in 1722. What town was it?
Answer: Edenton
- What North Carolina County is known as the "Mother County," since 55 of the state's 100 counties were originally part of it?
Answer: Bladen County
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About the Author
Eli Robinson is the Chief Trivia Officer at Water Cooler Trivia. He was once in a Bruce Springsteen cover band called F Street Band.
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