New Ulm’s German heritage predates the Civil War when settlers headed west to Minnesota from Chicago and Cincinnati. Much of their influence remains today in this city of 14,000 residents, from the city’s design to its downtown storefronts to the Glockenspiel clock tower.
“The way they laid the city out – it’s Germanic, very orderly and easy to get around,” says Darla Gebhard, the research librarian for the Brown County Historical Society in New Ulm. Further, buildings such as Turner Hall connect to the city’s origin. “It’s one of the few Turner Halls left in the country. It’s beautiful on the inside,” says Gebhard, adding a century-old motto, “Sound mind in a sound body,” is also evident today in the city’s education and recreational facilities.
Manufacturing powers New Ulm's economy with plants like 3M. Kraft and AMPI, which source its dairy products locally, are also large area employers.
A colorful mural is located in the downtown area of New Ulm.
Downtown New Ulm has a selection of shops and restaurants along Minnesota Street.
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German cuisine and beer
Beer, bratwurst, and German cuisine are a point of pride in New Ulm, especially at the city’s longtime establishments, such as Kaiserhoff. August Schell Brewing Company is the country’s second-oldest family-owned brewery, founded in 1869 by August Schell, a German immigrant and one of the city’s co-founders. “Schell’s Brewery is in the woods down by the Cottonwood River. It’s like going into a fairyland. There are gardens you can walk through and peacocks.” Several restaurants are downtown on Minnesota Street, where there's a half-mile strip of local businesses and simple diagonal street parking. Many of the city’s big box stores are on the north side along U.S. Route 14.
The Rathskeller at Turner Hall features a variety of weekly specials as well as classic German style food.
August Schell Brewing Company is known for German pilsners & lagers, has an on-site museum, and offers tours.
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Home prices below the national median
The median home price in New Ulm is $240,000, about half the national median. Single-family homes are prominent, with Dutch Colonial and Victorian architecture being among the most common. Homes date from the late 1800s through today and range from small homes starting at $40,000 to 4,000-square-foot houses with an acre of land for $500,000. Homes average a 7% increase in year-over-year value.
Many homes near the downtown section of the city of New Ulm have classic architectural styles.
There are new developments in the city of New Ulm up the hill near the high school.
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Celebrating German culture
German-themed festivals are a monthly occurrence. It’s no surprise Oktoberfest is one of the city’s most highly anticipated events. Ranked in the top 10 best Oktoberfest celebrations in the country by USA Today, the spectacle features events all over the city featuring German food and beer, yodeling and sauerkraut-eating contests and music. “There’s a strong music culture here,” says Gebhard. “It started in the era after World War II. New Ulm was at the center of Polka music, and we probably had the largest number of musical groups in the state.” Those Polka bands are recognized at the Minnesota Music Hall of Fame in New Ulm, where other popular musicians like Prince, Bob Dylan and Judy Garland are honored.
There is a glockenspiel on Minnesota Street in New Ulm that plays music during the noon hour.
The Brown County Historical Society is located in a historic post office building with German inspired architectural details.
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Dozens of parks maintained by the city
New Ulm's Parks & Recreation Department maintains 28 facilities, including parks with playgrounds and athletic fields, community pools and archery and trap shooting ranges. At iconic Hermann Heights Park, Hermann the German Monument towers over the city. The U.S. government designated the monument, which honors the ancient German hero Hermann the Cherusci, as a national symbol of German heritage. Flandrau State Park has 1,000 acres of dense woods and trails. The Turners, a name that means “gymnast” in German, have put gymnastics at the forefront of the community, hosting classes and tournaments at Turner Hall.
Hermann Heights Park is the site of the iconic monument that looks over the town.
Flandrau State Park has walking trails and a swimming pond during the warmer months.
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Kids grow up together through the New Ulm Public School District
The New Ulm Public School District earns a B from Niche and contains a single pipeline of public schools. High schoolers can attend the Career Technical Education Center and study construction trades, robotics, welding and other career fields.
The city is home to Martin Luther College, a Lutheran institution specializing in theology and education studies and offering undergraduate and graduate degree programs.
New Ulm middle school is ranked 88th among Minnesota schools.
New Ulm High School has a 95 percent graduation rate.
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Highway upgrades and getting to Minneapolis
Minnesota River Valley Scenic Byway runs directly through New Ulm, getting people from one side of the city to the other. It leads to U.S. Route 14 on the north side, which runs 30 miles southeast to Mankato. “We finally got Highway 14 as a four-lane highway in 2024,” says Gebhard. “We’ve been fighting that for years, and it was a big boom for New Ulm. It’s a lot easier to get to Mankato now.” Minneapolis is 95 miles away, along with Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP) is the closest option for commercial flights. Travelers can also park in Mankato and take a Land to Air bus to MSP.
Low crime rates make residents feel safe
Violent and property crime rates are lower in New Ulm than in the United States and Minnesota. “This is a very safe place to be,” says Gebhard. “I find people who leave here end up coming back to retire because of how safe it is. People don’t have to lock their doors in the day, and you can go for a walk at midnight and not worry.”
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