New Ulm
Around New Ulm
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Town and around · Minnesota · 25k people
New Ulm
“Bavarian City”, “The German City”
Bavarian spirit, Minnesota heart
New Ulm Steel redHarvest gold
Welcome to New Ulm, where the Minnesota River meets German heritage and friendly faces. Whether you're here for the bluffs, the beer, or the small-town charm, you'll find a community that's proud of its roots and ready to share them with you.
Clubs for New Ulm
No clubs for New Ulm yet.
The room
One room for everyone around New Ulm. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.
Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around New Ulm. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Hermann Monument Hilltop statue of Hermann the German with panoramic city views.
- Schell's Brewery Historic brewery offering tours, gardens, and a deer park.
- Glockenspiel Carillon clock tower in downtown with daily performances.
- Brown County Courthouse Historic sandstone courthouse in New Ulm's downtown.
- Flandrau State Park State park along the Cottonwood River with trails and camping.
- Ramsey Park Large park in Redwood Falls with a waterfall and small zoo.
- Outdoors Hike the Hermann Monument and bluff trails
- Outdoors Fish or canoe the Minnesota River
- With kids Tour Schell's Brewery gardens
- With kids Watch the Glockenspiel performance
- Evenings Enjoy a beer at a German beer hall
- Evenings Catch live music at a downtown bar
- Locals love German beer halls
- Locals love Historic downtowns
Through the year
- Brown County Fair August County fair with livestock, carnival rides, and local food.
- Redwood County Fair July Traditional county fair in Redwood Falls with 4-H exhibits and grandstand shows.
- Sleepy Eye Watermelon Days August Community festival celebrating watermelon with contests and a parade.
- Schell's Bock Fest March Spring beer festival at the brewery featuring bock beer releases and live music.
New Ulm has a continental climate with cold, snowy winters and warm, humid summers. The best time to be out is late spring through early fall, when the weather is mild and the river valley is green. Best: Late spring through early fall (May–September) offers the most comfortable temperatures for outdoor activities.
Talk like a local
- “The Glockenspiel”
- The clock tower in downtown New Ulm.
- “Hermann”
- The Hermann Monument statue.
- “Schell's”
- Schell's Brewery, often used for the beer or the grounds.
- “The Bluffs”
- The scenic hills along the Minnesota River.
Getaways
- Mankato Larger city with shopping, dining, and Minnesota State University.
- Hutchinson Known for its lakes, parks, and the Hutchinson Center for the Arts.
- Fairmont Chain of lakes offering boating and fishing.
- Willmar Lakes area with recreation and the Willmar Civic Center.
Local flavour
Teams
- New Ulm Steel NAHL
Also rooting for Minnesota Vikings (NFL), Minnesota Twins (MLB), Minnesota Timberwolves (NBA), Minnesota Wild (NHL), Minnesota United (MLS)
Eat and drink
- Bratwurst German-style sausage, a staple at local festivals and restaurants.
- Sauerkraut Classic German side dish, often served with brats.
- Schnitzel Breaded and fried cutlet, common in German-American kitchens.
- German potato salad Warm, vinegar-based salad, a regional favourite.
- Kuchen German coffee cake, a local bakery classic.
- Schell's beer Local brewery (August Schell) known for German-style lagers.
Where people go
- German beer halls
- Historic downtowns Brick streets and 19th-century architecture in New Ulm and surrounding towns.
- River bluffs Scenic overlooks along the Minnesota River.
- Grain elevators Iconic structures in the small agricultural towns.
- Oktoberfest grounds Open spaces where the region's famous festival takes place.
Heritage and traditions
New Ulm is proud of its deep German heritage, often called the 'City of Charm' for its well-preserved downtown, historic architecture, and the iconic Hermann Monument overlooking the Minnesota River.
This time of year in New Ulm
- Oktoberfest October A lively celebration of German culture with music, food, and beer.
Say it like a local: “Hot dish” — Casserole
Festivals
- Oktoberfest October A lively celebration of German culture with music, food, and beer.
Landmarks with a story
- Wanda Gág House Home of the author and illustrator of 'Millions of Cats'.
- Turner Hall A historic German social hall that hosts events and dances.
- Cathedral of the Holy Trinity The Catholic cathedral of the Diocese of New Ulm, built in the late 19th century.
Food traditions
- Afternoon coffee and cake A German tradition of enjoying coffee and cake in the afternoon, often with kuchen.
- Sauerbraten A marinated pot roast, a Sunday favorite in German households.
- Homemade sausage Many families still make their own bratwurst and summer sausage.
Music and arts
- Polka music A staple at local festivals and dances, with many regional bands.
- German folk music Traditional songs and accordion tunes performed at community events.
- New Ulm Civic Orchestra A community orchestra performing classical and popular works.
A little history
- 1854 Founded by German immigrants as a planned community.
- 1862 The Dakota War of 1862; New Ulm was attacked and defended by its citizens.
- 1860 Schell's Brewery founded, becoming the oldest brewery in Minnesota.
- 1890 The Hermann Monument was dedicated, celebrating German heritage.
- Game day High school football games on Friday nights
- Game day Town baseball games
- Outdoors Cross-country skiing at Flandrau State Park
- Outdoors Snowshoeing in the bluffs
- With kids Visiting the Wanda Gág House
- With kids Attending a polka dance
Locals speak with a typical Minnesota accent, with a touch of German influence in some pronunciations. You'll hear 'you bet' and 'don't ya know' often, and a few German loanwords like 'kuchen' and 'schnitzel' are common.
Only here
- The Glockenspiel plays at noon and 5 pm.
- The Hermann Monument is the largest statue of Hermann in the world.
- New Ulm is known as the 'City of Charm.'
- Schell's Brewery is the oldest brewery in Minnesota.
New here? A few tips
- Pronounce 'New Ulm' with a short 'u' as in 'pull'.
- Try a piece of kuchen at a local bakery.
- Visit the Glockenspiel at noon.
- Don't miss Oktoberfest in October.
- Be prepared for cold winters.
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Part of Mankato area
Nearby
Every areaSt. JamesMinnesotaWhere the prairie meets the lakeMankatoMinnesotaWhere the river bends and the bluffs hold you close.Redwood FallsMinnesotaWhere the prairie sky meets the river bluffsHutchinsonMinnesotaPrairie roots, lake life, and warm welcomes.FairmontMinnesotaPrairie skies, lake life.WasecaMinnesotaWhere lakes and fields meet the prairieFaribaultMinnesotaRiver towns, college spirit, and prairie calm.WillmarMinnesotaSmall-town charm, endless lake views.
New Ulm, MN. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.