New Ulm is the perfect day trip from Minneapolis — close enough to visit in a day, different enough to feel like a genuine escape. The drive southwest on US-169 takes about 90 minutes, and what you find at the end of it is a small town with authentic German heritage, excellent beer from one of the oldest family-owned breweries in America, and a community character that is completely different from the Twin Cities.

Here's how to make the most of a day trip from Minneapolis to New Ulm.

Distance: 95 miles
Drive Time: 1.5 hours via US-169 South
Route: US-169 South from Minneapolis through Mankato to New Ulm

Departure Time: Leave Minneapolis by 8:00–8:30am to arrive in New Ulm by 10:00am and maximize your time in town.

Mankato Stop: Consider a brief stop in Mankato (about 30 miles before New Ulm) for coffee. The drive through the Minnesota River Valley south of Mankato is beautiful.

Park on Minnesota Street (the main street) and start exploring the downtown area. New Ulm's compact, walkable downtown is lined with German-influenced architecture, excellent shops, and the famous Glockenspiel.

New Ulm's Glockenspiel — a 45-foot free-standing carillon clock tower — is the town's most famous landmark. The Glockenspiel plays at noon, 3:00pm, and 5:00pm, with 37 bells and animated figures that emerge to perform German folk songs. If you arrive at 10:00am, you'll need to wait until noon for the performance — plan your schedule accordingly.

Hermann Monument: Walk up to the Hermann Monument — a 102-foot statue of Hermann the Cheruscan (the Germanic warrior who defeated the Roman legions in 9 AD) on a hill above the town. The monument offers excellent views of the Minnesota River Valley and the surrounding countryside.

Downtown Galleries & Shops: Explore the downtown area — the German-influenced architecture, the excellent shops, and the Brown County Historical Museum (which celebrates the town's German-American heritage).

Return to the Glockenspiel for the noon performance. The 15-minute show is charming and worth planning your schedule around.

New Ulm has excellent restaurants for every taste and budget.

Lola's Larkspur Market — the finest restaurant in New Ulm, with excellent farm-to-table cuisine and a beautiful setting.

Veigel's Kaiserhoff — a beloved New Ulm institution serving authentic German food since 1938. The schnitzel, the bratwurst, and the German potato salad are all excellent.

Turner Hall — a historic German-American social hall with excellent German food and Schell's beer on tap.

August Schell Brewing Company — the second-oldest family-owned brewery in the United States, founded in 1860 — is the highlight of any New Ulm visit. The brewery's beautiful grounds (including a deer park and a beautiful garden) and its excellent beers make it one of the finest brewery experiences in the Midwest.

The Tour: The brewery offers guided tours that cover the history of the brewery, the brewing process, and the beautiful historic buildings. The tour ends with a tasting of Schell's beers.

The Tap Room: After the tour, spend time in the tap room sampling Schell's full range of beers, including the flagship Schell's Pilsner, the excellent Firebrick amber lager, and the seasonal releases.

Drive south to Flandrau State Park — a beautiful state park on the Cottonwood River, just south of New Ulm. The park's swimming area (a beautiful sand-bottom pool fed by the river), its hiking trails, and its beautiful natural setting make it an excellent afternoon stop.

Leave New Ulm by 5:00pm to arrive back in Minneapolis by 6:30–7:00pm.

Glockenspiel Timing: The Glockenspiel performs at noon, 3:00pm, and 5:00pm. Plan your schedule to catch at least one performance.

Schell's Brewery: The brewery tour is the highlight of the day trip. Check the tour schedule in advance and book if reservations are required.

Oktoberfest: If visiting during Oktoberfest (last two weekends of September), plan accordingly — the town is extremely busy and parking is limited. Book accommodations in advance if staying overnight.

Overnight Option: New Ulm rewards an overnight stay — the town's evening atmosphere, with the restaurants and bars in full swing, is completely different from the daytime experience.

For more New Ulm adventures, see our New Ulm Weekend Guide, Schell's Brewery Guide, New Ulm German Heritage, New Ulm Outdoor Recreation, and Best Time to Visit New Ulm.