New Ulm, Minnesota is one of the most surprising small cities in America. Founded in 1854 by German immigrants seeking to recreate their homeland on the Minnesota prairie, it has maintained its German character with a fidelity that is genuinely remarkable — the architecture, the food, the beer, the festivals, and the community spirit all reflect a heritage that is 170 years old and still very much alive.

The city of 13,000 people sits at the confluence of the Minnesota and Cottonwood rivers in south-central Minnesota, about 100 miles southwest of Minneapolis. It's a manageable drive from the Twin Cities — close enough for a day trip, rewarding enough for a weekend — and it offers an experience that is unlike anything else in the Midwest.

New Ulm is located in Brown County, Minnesota, about 100 miles southwest of Minneapolis via US-169 or MN-19. The drive takes about 1.5–2 hours from the Twin Cities.

By Car: US-169 south from the Twin Cities to MN-68 west is the most direct route. The drive through the Minnesota River Valley is beautiful, particularly in fall.

New Ulm's downtown is a remarkably intact example of 19th-century German-American architecture — brick buildings with Germanic decorative details, wide streets, and a general sense of solidity and permanence that reflects the character of the people who built it.

The Glockenspiel — a 45-foot free-standing carillon clock tower in the heart of downtown — is New Ulm's most famous landmark. The clock's animated figures perform at noon, 3pm, and 5pm daily, depicting scenes from German folklore and New Ulm history. It's one of only a few free-standing glockenspiel clocks in the world.

Hermann Monument — a 102-foot statue of Hermann the German (Arminius), the Germanic chieftain who defeated the Roman legions in the Battle of Teutoburg Forest in 9 AD. The monument, completed in 1897, stands on a hill overlooking the city and offers panoramic views of the Minnesota River Valley. It's one of the largest statues in the United States.

The Schell's Brewery — the second-oldest family-owned brewery in America (founded 1860) — is the crown jewel of New Ulm's German heritage and one of the finest craft breweries in the Midwest. (See full article: Schell's Brewery: New Ulm's 160-Year-Old Craft Beer Legacy)

Lola's is New Ulm's most celebrated restaurant — a farm-to-table bistro that celebrates the agricultural abundance of the Minnesota River Valley with creative, seasonal cuisine. The menu changes regularly based on what's available from local farms, and the cooking is both technically accomplished and deeply rooted in the flavors of the region.

Must Order: The seasonal tasting menu; the locally-sourced beef dishes; the desserts (exceptional).

Veigel's Kaiserhoff is a New Ulm institution — a German-American restaurant that has been serving the community since 1938. The menu is a celebration of German-American cooking: sauerbraten, schnitzel, bratwurst, and the kind of hearty, satisfying food that sustained generations of German immigrants on the Minnesota prairie.

Must Order: The sauerbraten (marinated beef roast with gingersnap gravy), the schnitzel, the bratwurst plate, and the German potato salad.

Turner Hall — the historic home of the New Ulm Turners (a German-American athletic and cultural organization) — hosts regular dinners and events that celebrate German-American food and culture. The hall's kitchen produces excellent German-American cooking in a historic setting.

A beloved local breakfast and lunch spot with excellent German-American baked goods, hearty breakfasts, and the kind of friendly, unpretentious service that defines small-town Minnesota.

The Deutsche Strasse Bed & Breakfast — a beautifully restored Victorian home in the heart of downtown, with comfortable rooms and a genuine sense of New Ulm character.

Holiday Inn New Ulm — the most comfortable chain hotel option, with a pool and convenient location.

Vacation Rentals: Several historic homes and cottages are available through Airbnb and VRBO.

Sleepy Eye (20 miles west) — a small town with a beautiful historic downtown and excellent fishing on Sleepy Eye Lake.

Mankato (30 miles east) — a larger city with excellent restaurants, the Minnesota State University campus, and access to the Minnesota River.

Flandrau State Park (within New Ulm) — a beautiful state park on the Cottonwood River, with excellent hiking, swimming, and camping.

Best Time: Oktoberfest (last two weekends of September and first weekend of October) is the peak of the New Ulm calendar. The Fasching (German Mardi Gras) celebration in February is also excellent. Fall foliage (mid-October) is beautiful in the Minnesota River Valley.

Getting Around: New Ulm's downtown is very walkable. A car is needed to reach the Hermann Monument and Flandrau State Park.

For more on New Ulm, see our articles on Schell's Brewery, New Ulm German Heritage, New Ulm Outdoor Recreation, and New Ulm Seasonal Festivals. Also explore our Best Small Towns in the South and Pella Iowa: Dutch Heritage on the Prairie for more heritage small town destinations.