Michigan is home to a large variety of sounds. However, there is one sound that feels so Michigan, it is almost synonymous with the state itself. From nature to city sounds, from the clomp of horse hooves to mufflers, Michigan is a feast for your ears! Settle in while we share with you some of our favorite iconic Michigan sounds.
Now, of course, the first thing we have to mention is that iconic Motown sound. This bass line-heavy music features simple melodies with elaborate background vocals.
Showcasing artists like Stevie Wonder and The Supremes, you know if a Detroic-classic Motown song is playing, your foot is a-tapping. However, Michigan is more than Detroit, though.
If you've never visited Michigan before, you might be surprised at what a beautiful state it is. I most certainly was, then I fell in love with the nature and small-town feel of the state almost immediately.
The pure silence of a forest trail is one of my favorite Michigan sounds. It's not silence at all. Hiking one of the many Michigan nature trails, you'll hear little more than the sound of your own footsteps, the chirp of the birds, and the rustling of the leaves caused by all the adorable creatures running around.
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Maybe you want a Michigan sound that's a bit more nostalgic. For that, why not think about spending some time on the water? Michigan is home to 11,000 inland lakes and more than 3,000 miles of water trails, meaning, if you grew up here, you basically lived in the water in the summer months.
Summer in Michigan sounds like the surf lapping at the shores of a Great Lake. It sounds like children playing happily together, all worries forgotten for the moment. It sounds like a time the entire family will look back on fondly when the shadow of winter beckons.
The gentle breezes of the coming fall are one I look forward to each year. I love to hear the wind whistling through the colorful leaves. Visiting one of Michigan's many lighthouses in the fall feels like a special treat.
Another treat that the gorgeous state of Michigan has to offer is a massive amount of waterfalls. With more than 300 waterfalls between the mitten and the upper peninsula, the rushing sound of a waterfall is pretty iconic.
However, Washington State has the most waterfalls in the country, so we'll give that one to them. We love the sounds of all of our state's waterfalls, but it's not a Michigan exclusive, you know?
Another thing that makes Michigan special is the variety of small towns peppered throughout the state. I live in one myself and still can't believe how much I truly love it.
Did you know that there is one small town in Michigan where cars aren't allowed? The only transportation sounds you'll hear on Mackinac Island are the whirring of bicycle wheels and the clomping of horse hooves.
That's only one spot in Michigan, though. The rest of the state is alive with the sounds of motor vehicles, both old and new.
After living in Michigan for a few years now, I can confidently say that the most Michigan sound I'll ever hear is the roar of a car motor. I mean, they do call Detroit "The Motor City" after all.
The rumble of a muscle car can be heard from miles away and, even better, you can feel it with your entire body as the vehicle approaches you. Michigan has a wide variety of car shows to celebrate cars, both classic and new throughout the year.
The annual Woodward Dream Cruise is one of the highlights, where tens of thousands of cars from all around the world drive down America’s first highway, Woodward Avenue. This is an event you’re going to want to stay overnight for because the event welcomes over 1 million people every year.
If you would like to experience any of the iconic Michigan sounds I’ve mentioned, Pure Michigan has released a full album of them, which you can listen to here. Not the rumble of the cars, though. You’ll have to come experience that incredible sound in person.
What’s your most memorable Michigan sound? Tell us in the comments!
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