New Ulm, MN, is considered the most German town in America. You’ll find German influence throughout town, great food, beer, and plenty of unique things to do in New Ulm, making it the perfect Minnesota destination for a day trip or weekend getaway.

Our motto is to dine, drink, and discover wherever we go. New Ulm’s motto is “Germans Have More Fun”.  

Use this travel guide for things to do in New Ulm to find out if their motto, Germans Have More Fun, is true. 

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Exploring New Ulm, MN: A Guide for History, Beer, and German Heritage

Willkommen to New Ulm, MN! Ninety minutes southwest of the Twin Cities and 30 minutes west of Mankato, this German town will capture your heart.

This New Ulm travel guide will give you plenty of ideas for things to do in New Ulm. With multiple festivals throughout the year, there’s plenty of reason to explore New Ulm, Minnesota, any time of year. There is always something to explore in New Ulm, MN.

New Ulm has preserved its German heritage, which will be noticeable as you explore the town. From the oldest family-owned brewery in Minnesota to exploring the outdoors at Flandreau State Park, everyone from beer lovers to history buffs will find something to love about New Ulm.

Related: Visit the most Cornish town in America- Mineral Point, WI

Discover German Heritage in New Ulm

New Ulm is considered the most German town in America. New Ulm became a hub for German-Bohemian immigrants in the 1850s and played a significant role in the Dakota War in 1862.

The New Ulm community has done a fantastic job preserving its German heritage and sharing the culture with visitors, which you’ll notice throughout town. During your visit, you’ll feel a European flair from the architecture to the New Ulm museums.   

Learn about German culture in New Ulm by visiting these historical attractions.

Hermann The German Monument

10 Monument St., New Ulm, MN  56073

Hermann, a 102-foot monument, towers over New Ulmm. Hermann is a statue of Arminius, an ancient hero whose army liberated Germany from Roman rule in 9AD. 

This statue was commissioned by a national Order of Hermann’s Sons in 1887 and took nearly a decade to complete, weighing more than 4,000 pounds. US Congress has designated Hermann to be a national symbol of German heritage. 

For a nominal entrance fee, you can climb to the top of the monument for beautiful views of downtown and the Minnesota River Valley. 

Glockenspiel Clock Tower

327 N. Minnesota St., New Ulm, MN  56073

Time your visit downtown to see a performance at the 45-foot-tall Glockenspiel. Thirty-seven bells weigh more than two tons, and twelve figurines move and dance as they celebrate German culture in New Ulm.  

The characters include a band, a Dakota Native American, a pioneer family, a brick mason, a beer drinker, a man carrying flour, and a dancing couple representing the German-Bohemian settlers. 

Hours: Noon, 1, 3, 5 and 6 PM daily (Apr 1 – Oct 31) // Noon, 3 and 5 daily (Nov 1 – Mar 31)

New Ulm German Events and Festivals

Known as the City of Festivals, New Ulm hosts events and festivals year-round. The New Ulm events page is the best way to keep up with these events. 

Some popular events are Bavarian Blast, Schell’s Bock Fest, New Ulm Oktoberfest, and the Brown County Free Fair. We once saw the Little River Band perform at Bavarian Blast, and it was a blast. 

Visit a Historic New Ulm Brewery

Schell’s Brewery in New Ulm

August Schell’s Brewery is the second oldest brewery in the United States, and since acquiring Grain Belt, it has become the largest. 

Take a guided tour to learn more about August Schell’s legacy. Then, roam the grounds and look for the peacocks.

Enjoy their tap beers or 1919 root beer in the beautiful Bierhalle or outside in the Biergarten, or attend one of the many events they host, such as Oktoberfest or Bockfest. 

Step Back in Time With Historic Attractions

Let’s look at these historical attractions and top things to do in New Ulm to learn more about its history. 

Brown County Historical Society

2 Broadway, New Ulm, MN  56073

This former post office, built in 1910, is one of the most stunning buildings in New Ulm and now houses the Brown County Historical Society. 

BCHS is a museum and research library with rotating and permanent exhibits about the people and places of Brown County. 

Turner Hall

102 S. State Street, New Ulm, MN  56073

Turner Hall is the oldest Rathskeller in Minnesota and was dedicated in 1856. You’ll find beautiful, old-world German murals with American and German menu options in the restaurant. 

Turner Halls are a German movement that believes in the sound mind and the sound body. 

Turner Hall stays true to its historical roots in that it is a restaurant, bar, and gymnastics hall. Yes, gymnastics. 

Turner is German for gymnast, and the Germans invented gymnastics, which was more of a calisthenic than what we know gymnastics to be today. The theory is that you come for intellectual conversation and exercise, contributing to a sound mind and sound body. 

Today, the gymnastics program has over 500 participants and is so large it has moved to a bigger space down the street. 

Wanda Gag House

226 N Washington St, New Ulm, MN 56073

Tour the childhood home of children’s author Wanda Gag. Her Bohemian father, Anton designed their 1894 Queen Anne-style home. Take a tour to learn more about the unconventional Bohemian lifestyle, which is full of artistic touches. Her book, Millions of Cats, stood the test of time and is still in print and a popular children’s book.

Explore Nature and Scenic New Ulm Spots

Flandrau State Park is located on the southwestern edge of New Ulm, near August Schell Brewing. Enjoy hiking trails and camping. 

Look for the quartzite building built during WWII and later used as a prisoner-of-war camp. 

A popular feature of Flandrau is the sand-bottom swimming pool. 

The Minnesota River Valley is another excellent spot for bird-watching and fishing. We often see eagles when we’re down by the river, which is a beautiful site. 

One of our favorite spots that we only recently discovered is German Park. It is stunning! The 

Dining and Shopping in New Ulm

If you want a great, old-fashioned downtown walkable area, you will love downtown New Ulm. Many local shops, restaurants, and bars are in one location. In addition, you’ll find other great shopping options very close by. 

There are excellent local restaurants in New Ulm—unfortunately, there are few vegan-friendly options. These restaurants are very popular. Since not all our readers are vegan, we couldn’t write a guide for things to do in New Ulm without including these popular New Ulm restaurants.

Lola- An American Bistro

The only vegan option we’ve found in New Ulm is at Lola. Although they occasionally offer a vegan weekly special, we can count on the roasted veggie pasta or the build-your-own bowl for a good vegan meal. 

They serve good coffee and have milk substitutes available for an upcharge. 

George’s Fine Steaks & Spirits 

George’s is a popular place for a nice dinner. Before going plant-based, we ate here, and the food was terrific. We noticed they have vegan pasta, so we plan to try it on our next visit. 

Kaiserhoff New Ulm 

It’s safe to say that The Kaiserhoff is more than a restaurant; it’s a landmark known throughout Minnesota. Enjoy German favorites like sauerkraut, Schnitzel, ribs and more. 

The Kaiserhoff has been around since 1924 and has a fascinating history. The decor is fantastic. 

Pro Tip: No matter what you order, you MUST order Ray’s Salad—lettuce tossed with bits of bacon, parmesan, crunchy croutons, and a Kaiserhoff dressing. The salad is served with a breadstick. Trust us! It’s worth a drive to New Ulm just for the house salad. Heck, even take one to go. 

Note to self: we need to create a vegan version of Ray’s Salad. 

The Backerei & Coffee Shop

Though the owners have changed, the Backerie dates back to the 1930s and is the spot for donuts and baked goods with many German offerings.  

Shopping in New Ulm

New Ulm is known for its excellent independent shops. A few of our favorites include A to Zinnia Floral and Gifts and Lykke Books, a great independent bookstore.

A visit to Domeiers German Store is a must. You will not believe all the German cuckoo clocks, trinkets, and treats that fit into this building.

The Christmas Haus will keep you in the Christmas spirit all year long.

Graze is a great food co-op (no membership required) that works with 30 local farmers and producers. You’ll find many ways to shop locally for the goodies at Graze. I did find some tremendous locally-made vegan options that will be great to bring home with us or take to a park and eat. 

These great New Ulm shopping options are reason enough for a day trip to New Ulm.

Beyond the Brews: New Ulm’s Craft Drink Scene

Dive into New Ulm’s craft drink scene, one of the popular things to do in New Ulm, where historic charm meets modern mixology. 

Sweet Haven Tonics

Sweet Haven Tonics has a beautiful space to enjoy a craft cocktail made from one of their many tonics. They also serve craft beer and wine, as well as mocktails. 

Morgan Creek Vineyards

23707 478th Ave, New Ulm, MN 56073

You’ll find Morgan Creek Vineyards and Winery tucked along the scenic Minnesota River Valley byway just southeast of New Ulm; it’s pretty easy to see why this vineyard is one of the top things to do in New Ulm.

Enjoy a gorgeous and scenic setting. Sip wine on the patio near a fir, or sit inside and enjoy live jazz music. 

They’re open seasonally, May through October. 

Best Places to Stay in New Ulm

Various lodging options are available if you spend a weekend exploring all the things to do in New Ulm. We have stayed at the Best Western and had a great experience. 

Why New Ulm Should Be on Your Midwest Bucket List

New Ulm has so much charm and history to uncover, making it one of the top Midwest travel destinations.

With events happening throughout the year, anytime is the best time to find things to do in New Ulm.

Use this New Ulm Travel Guide to dine, drink, and discover the most German town in America.

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