Are you a geography buff or traveler? If so, you may enjoy taking a journey from the comfort of your home with this brain teaser about U.S. states. Research shows that just thinking about a trip — as you will when you try your hand at this word puzzle — can give you a mental health and mood boost.
You may get a double benefit since both brain teasers and travel can help you to stay mentally sharp. Travel also has benefits for your cognitive and physical health, according to “Destination Healthy Aging: the Physical, Cognitive and Social Benefits of Travel,” a report from the Global Coalition on Aging. In fact, travel can positively impact your health by:
- Reducing stress
- Increasing overall happiness
- Giving you opportunities to exercise
- Offering mental stimulation
“Mental activity and cognitive stimulation, which can be achieved through various activities associated with travel, have been linked to brain health,” the report states. On just one trip, you may learn your way around a new city, navigate from point A to point B, meet new people, solve a logistics problem and visit a museum.
So why not mentally pack your bags for a trip across America the Beautiful? From the Statue of Liberty in the east to the rolling fields of wheat in the heartland to the Grand Canyon out west, the country is full of amazing sights.
Take this virtual journey with “Coded States,” a brain teaser that lists the names of eight U.S. states in code. To solve the puzzle, you have to crack the code and discover the name of each state.
How’d you do? Did you solve the puzzle and find the state names? Have you taken trips to any of these states — or do you have a trip planned? Please drop a comment below to share your favorite travel memories or plans.
Want to test your knowledge of the great United States even more? Try our United States Shapes Quiz or our State Capitals Quiz.
great puzzle ..took a while for #4…
I pulled this out during the evening while relaxing. Over the course of a week I thought I have figured them all out. However, #5 had me stumped. We have travelled in most of the States, but the East Coast was rather spotty for us. We did not get to Maryland. This was a fun “Brain Teaser.”
I really enjoyed this and hope to see more!
Of the coded states listed, Illinois is one that I avoid at all costs if possible. It is a state you must go through, though, to get anywhere in the upper Midwest. I never gas up or stop anywhere in the state. I make sure I can get all the way through without stopping. You may still get stopped by the police no matter how careful you are. At night you will always get stopped as they have drug tasks forces especially in the northern part of the state. Gas and food costs are the highest of any of the Midwest states. It is a clean, nice roads, and beautiful state, but it is their politics that make them one of the worst states in the country. If you must pass through, stay as far south as possible. PS; I am a retired police officer, 38 years!
I have been in all fifty states. It is a beautiful country.
My wife had bugged me for over 10 years about going to NYC, which I said is just another big city (we live in Dallas, TX). I finally obliged her in 2018 and it turned out I had more fun than imaginable. We went back in 2019, were going to go in 2020, but the pandemic….. Neither one of us can wait to go back!
Nice quick little quiz. Not too easy nor too hard. I’ve visited all of those states but I live in
OXOXOXO!
Terry – glad you enjoyed!
Terry lives in Arizona
Puzzle was fun. Thanks
Nancy – Thanks for playing!