13 Places You Have to Hear

Listen up and explore these acoustic anomalies, “musical houses,” and government-recognized soundscapes.

by Roxanne Hoorn, Staff Writer

13 Places

Seeing new places is great. But sometimes, it’s more fun to hear them. To that end, we’ve rounded up a list of places that are known for their sounds—not necessarily their sights. So bask in the peaceful sounds of a bamboo forest, try out strange instruments, and whisper secrets from far away. Because these 13 spaces are all about sound.

Greatstone, England

Greatstone Sound Mirrors

See the “listening ears” designed to monitor the skies for the telltale sounds of airborne invasion.

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Sagano Bamboo Forest

Relax to the sound of swaying stalks in this grove, honored as a governmentally recognized soundscape.

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Santiago de Compostela, Spain

Bench of Whispers

Try out this acoustic anomaly where lovers tell secrets from afar.

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San Francisco, California

Audium Theatre of Sound-Sculptured Space

Sit back in the only theatre in the world constructed specifically for sound movement.

Seattle, Washington

'A Sound Garden'

Explore musical sculptures and art installations on the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration grounds.

Neerpelt, Belgium

Klankenbos Sound Forest

Soak in this surreal sonic experience tucked into the trees.

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Sydney, Australia

'Forgotten Songs' Sound Sculpture

Mourn the calls of Sydney’s lost birds at this work of art and ornithology.

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Underground Sound Sculptures

Find out how songs sound underground.

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Saint Petersburg, Russia

Museum of Sound

Indulge your ears with this unusual collection of self-made musical instruments and unique noises.

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Tuxtla Gutiérrez, Mexico

Museo de la Marimba (Marimba Museum)

Check out this museum honoring a unique musical instrument of African origins.

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Landers, California

The Integratron

Experience a quartz crystal sound bath inside a storied, all-wood sound chamber.

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New York, New York

Dream House

Immerse yourself in an ever-changing world of sound and light.

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New Orleans, Louisiana

Music Box Village

Catch a show or simply explore these interactive “musical houses.”

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