If you ever find yourself in New Ulm, Minnesota, you might feel like you’ve flown halfway around the world. That’s because this unique town goes all out to celebrate its German history. The town spreads out over about 10 square miles in Brown County along the Minnesota and Cottonwood Rivers, and you’ll find plenty of things to do in New Ulm, Minnesota, no matter what time of year you visit. Read on to learn more about this German town in the Land of 10,000 Lakes!

New Ulm is a quaint town in southern Minnesota with a population of about 13,000.
J. Stephen Conn/Flickr
The town is located about 100 miles southwest of Minneapolis. Find it in Brown County.
The town is known for its German heritage, which is evident nearly everywhere you look.
J. Stephen Conn/Flickr
The incredible historic buildings and sites in this German town in Minnesota will make you second guess whether you are still in America!
The charming downtown area looks like it comes straight out of Bavaria - which it practically does. Some of New Ulm's earliest residents were German immigrants.
Doug Kerr/Flickr
New Ulm, Minnesota was founded in 1854.
That includes the founder of August Schell Brewing Company, a business that has been operating since 1860. It is the second oldest family-owned brewery in America.
Garret Voight/Flickr
Visitors to New Ulm can tour the August Schell Brewing Company! There is also an on-site museum and a gift shop.
In addition to a tour of the brewery, visitors can also stroll the beautiful gardens on the grounds. There are even peacocks wandering around.
Doug Kerr/Flickr
New Ulm knows how to celebrate its German heritage. Each year, the town celebrates German culture during Oktoberfest and the Bavarian Blast.
Jenni Konrad/Flickr
Visitors to New Ulm, Minnesota can look forward to festivals in the city throughout the year! In 2022, the New Ulm Oktoberfest celebrated its 40th anniversary as one of the biggest celebrations in the country.

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There are many other celebrations as well. Winter or summer, there is something going on nearly every month of the year.
rubey_kay/Flicker
Of course, Schell's beer flows at each of these celebrations. Not to mention the tasty German foods served by local eateries.
New Ulm, Minnesota/Facebook
And if there's one thing New Ulm has, it's plenty of delicious restaurants. Try out Veigel's Kaiserhoff, the town's oldest restaurant. Established in 1938, it serves both German and American cuisine.
Doug Kerr/Flickr
You can find Veigel’s Kaiserhoff on North Minnesota Street.
One of New Ulm's most famous attractions is the glockenspiel. This 45-foot clock houses 37 bells that play music three times each day. As they play, 12 large figurines rotate on a stage below the clock.
Doug Kerr/Flickr
Amazingly, the combined weight of the bells in this impressive clock tower weighs two tons! Linger outside to hear the bells every quarter hour of the day.
Hermann the German is another famous landmark. It celebrates German victory over the Romans at the Battle of Teutoburg Forest in 9 CE.
Brett Whaley/Flickr
The statue was inspired by another monument called the Hermannsdenkmal, which is located in Detmold Germany and bears a striking similarity.
From the base to the tip of Hermann's sword, the monument is 105 feet tall. Visitors can climb up a spiral staircase on the monument to view the town from above.
Daniel Hooker/Flickr
No matter what you do, New Ulm is an excellent place to celebrate German heritage yet still remain close to home.
Matt Zaske/Flickr
As soon as you leave New Ulm, you'll be making plans to go back.

We think New Ulm is one of the best small towns in Minnesota. You don’t need to book an international flight to experience authentic German culture and all its wonderful flair. Pack up the car, and take a road trip to explore all the things to do in New Ulm, Minnesota, and see a side of our state that is truly unique.

Have you ever been to New Ulm? What did you do there? Be sure to share in the comments below!

If you’re interested in another charming Minnesota town, check out Wabasha, the oldest town in the state.

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

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New Ulm, Minnesota

Christina Arrascaeta | October 07, 2022

What is a scenic town in Minnesota?

Minnesota is fortunate enough to have many scenic towns within its state lines. One such town is Biwabik, Minnesota. The town of only 1,000 residents is home to buildings and structures inspired by European architecture. Add to that the tranquil landscape of flowing waters and tall mountains and you will understand why it is a top choice for travelers in search of beauty.

What are the most unique towns in Minnesota?

Lanesboro, Minnesota is considered the B&B capital of the state! It may not come as a surprise given that the town encompasses a scenic byway and plenty of outdoor exploration. Another unique town is Two Harbors, a lakeside getaway that, as its name implies, has two harbors along Lake Superior.

What is Minnesota known for?

It is hard not to think of lakes when thinking of Minnesota. As the Land of 10,000 lakes, it is home to watersports and outdoor adventures. Visitors can also shop at the Mall of America, the largest indoor mall in the country.

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New Ulm, MN 56073, USA