A Weekend in New Ulm: A Charming German Town

WHAT TO SEE + DO

Sip Coffee + Bookshop at Bookshelves & Coffeecups

This quaint hole-in-the-wall used bookstore was a cute stop that caught my eye when walking around downtown New Ulm. The welcoming stop has aisles and aisles of books on the shelves and a small coffee shop inside.

ADDRESS: 123 N Minnesota St, New Ulm, MN 56073

HOURS: Mondays-Saturdays from 9am to 5pm

Explore German Park

Located only a few blocks from the center of Downtown, German park is a picturesque stop with its turquoise water fountain that is surrounded by gardens. There are several shaded areas with benches that are ideal for relaxing or reading a book. There is a large amphitheater where summer concert series take place and a unique playground nearby with a zipline style swing. A little known secret is that the park is where the old town swimming pool used to be before it was remodeled.

ADDRESS: 200 N German St, New Ulm, MN 56073

Visit Flandrau State Park

Located in southwest New Ulm, Flaundrau State Park is just minutes from downtown. Among the amenities are eight miles of hiking and trails, a sand-bottomed pond, beach (during the summer), sand volleyball courts, playground equipment, corn-hole/bag areas, and fire pits. The park has over 70 campsites in 2 campgrounds

The park is named after Charles Eugene Flandrau, a colorful frontiersman credited with giving Minnesota the nickname of the Gopher State. He was born in 1828 in New York City of French Huguenot and Irish ancestry. As a young lawyer he moved to Minnesota in 1853. After exploring the Minnesota River Valley for two years, he settled at Traverse des Sioux until 1864 and became known as the Defender of New Ulm in the Dakota War of 1862.

A lifelong Democrat, Flandrau rose rapidly in the frontier hierachy. He became territorial legislator, Indian Agent, delegate to Minnesota’s constitutional convention and a member of the territorialand state supreme courts (1857-1864). Like many of the state’s male pioneers, he was an active member of the Minnesota Historical Society’s executive council. He took his duties seriously, drawing on personal experiencse to establish a considerable reputation as a historian of the young state.

ADDRESS: 200 N German St, New Ulm, MN 56073

Read + Relax at Lykke Books

A family-friendly spot, Lykke books opened only last May with the focal intent of utilizing the space as a community gathering spot. Brie Taralson came up with the idea in the fall of 2021 after picking up a book by Meik Wiking titled “The Little Book of Lykke” which focused on the Danish word for happiness. Taralson believes that happiness through relationship building is at the core of what I’m trying to create.”

ADDRESS: 203 N Minnesota St, New Ulm, MN 56073

New Ulm’s Glockenspiel

The 45 feet tall musical clock tower was dedicated to the town on May 25, 1980. The Glockenspiel’s 12 animated figures, which are interchangeable with a Christmas Nativity scene, illustrate significant facets of the community’s rich heritage. The tower’s set of 37 fully chromatic three-octave bronze bells can be played electronically or by keyboard. Engineered and built by Schulmerich Carillons, Inc., of Sellersville, Pennsylvania and constructed at a cost of $275,000. The project was coordinated by the Glockenspiel Trust Committee (hence the name).

ADDRESS: 327 N Minnesota St, New Ulm, MN 56073

HOURS: 8am-5pm Mondays-Fridays, closed on Saturdays and Sundays'

COST: Free

Downtown Mural

In 2022, Chuck Bennis of Brookings, South Dakota, created a mural on the side of the Nuvera building in downtown New Ulm. The project was inspired by the New Ulm Downtown Action TeamThe stop is great for those who enjoy taking selfies and Instagram photos.

ADDRESS: 27 N Minnesota St, New Ulm, MN 56073 (on the side of the business)

WHERE TO EAT + DRINK COFFEE

Grab ice cream at MN EIS

Located in downtown New Ulm, this cute ice cream shop is a popular stop for both tourists and locals so expect to wait in line. In store there is always 24 ice cream flavors on rotation out of the entire 100+ flavor selection from Madison, Wisconsin. Tucked away at the back of the store is a candy shop. The shop also offers boba tea for those who are looking for something different.

ADDRESS: 10 N Minnesota St, New Ulm, MN 56073

RECOMMENDATIONS: German spaghetti with meatballs - basically this specialty is vanilla ice cream covered in strawberries and strawberry syrup with the option to add meatballs. My meatball of choice was raw cookie dough. Finally, the entire bowl was topped off with a heart-shaped waffle cone.

Grab coffee at Lola’s - An American Bistro

Although this is an American bistro, I stopped on a hot day for iced tea for myself and iced coffee for my partner. With that being said, I can’t give input on the quality of food or recommendations for it. The atmosphere featured brick walls and provided a cozy vibe that would be great for working or studying. The service was subpar being that I had to greet the worker who was wrapped up in a conversation with a co-worker that made me wait several minutes until they finished. Other than that, I’d say the atmosphere was nice overall and the sweet iced tea was delicious.

ADDRESS: 16 N Minnesota St, New Ulm, MN 56073
RECOMMENDATIONS:

The Rathskeller at Turner Hall

Having been open more than 160 years, Turner Hall has earned its historical spot in New Ulm. Listed in the National Register of Historic Places, it is the historic Rathskeller - the oldest bar in Minnesota. Rathskeller which translates to a tavern or restaurant located in the basement of a building, is precisely what the spot was making it a unique find. Also found in the rathskeller was a very old dumbwaiter which was once used to transfer food between floors.

ADDRESS: 102 S State St, New Ulm, MN 56073

HOURS: Weekdays 5-9 p.m. Sat 12-5, Sun 12-7

RECOMMENDATIONS: Rahmschnitzle - this authentic German dish features veal and spaetzel covered in a secret mushroom gravy. It is the definition of “comfort food” and is a dish that I wish I could have frequently. I also highly recommend the Turner ribs and green beans which I found to be delicious.

Kaiserhoff

Viegel’s Kaiserhoff is a legend landmark in New Ulm after 75 years in business and even a longer history in town. The restaurant has an extensive history having been built in 1871 and used as a meat shop a year later. In 1881, the buildings were damaged in a cyclone but were soon rebuilt. Fast forward to 1924, the building was used as a plumbing business by W.S. Vercoe. In the following years the building was utilized for a series of businesses from being a café to a pool hall and lunchroom. Finally, in 1930, Albert Veigel purchased the Kaiserhoff Restaurant and the rest is history.

ADDRESS: 221 N Minnesota St, New Ulm, MN 56073

RECOMMENDATIONS: the Kaiserhoff German Sampler gives a taste of German cuisine with its hefty platter that includes ribs, bratwurst, red cabbage, German potato salad and much more. I also enjoyed the Kaiserhoff ribs and broiled shrimp. As well as the spaetzle and gravy which reminded me of a comforting pasta. Also at this restaurant you can find the classic 1919 American root beer.