There are plenty of towns in the USA that will make you feel like you’re traveling internationally, from Lindsborg in Kansas (also known as “Little Sweden”) to the French creole vibe of New Orleans. If you want to travel to Germany without whipping out your passport, you don’t need to do anything other than simply head to Minnesota. Okay, so it’s not exactly Europe, but one small town located within the state makes for a pretty great Germany dupe.
The quaint Minnesotan town with some serious German charm is New Ulm. Located within Brown County, approximately 90 miles southwest of Minneapolis, New Ulm is a unique enclave that might make you question if you’ve somehow landed in Bavaria. With Baroque architecture, German-style breweries, and even some annual festivals to celebrate German culture, a visit to New Ulm is a must for any history buffs traveling throughout the Midwest.
German culture and food for days in New Ulm
New Ulm might only be about 10 square miles, but it packs a serious cultural punch. So much so, that it’s been deemed the most German town in the USA. So, just how German does a town have to be to receive such a title?
For starters, the New Ulm Public Library has a German Heritage Collection, consisting of approximately 100 books, all dedicated to German-American history. If you’re looking for Bavarian bites, you’re in luck in New Ulm. Head to Kaiseroff, a rustic tavern that opened in the 1930s serving up an array of German fare. Satiate your appetite with offerings such as sauerkraut balls, wiener schnitzel, bratwurst, hot potato salad, and even a German sampler with a mix of traditional meats and veggies.
What’s a proper visit to Germany, or in this case, Minnesota, without stopping by a brewery? Germany has arguably the best beer scene in Europe, but you can get your fix right here in the USA. In New Ulm, head to August Schell Brewery, where you can try German-style pilsners and Vienna-style lagers.
New Ulm has annual celebrations to match its German roots
New Ulm is home to plenty of German festivals. If you want to attend one, you’ll want to consider visiting in July, when the Bavarian Blast is typically held. Every year, the Bavarian Blast includes a parade, endless entertainment, plenty of German beer at the designated beer garden, tasty local bites, and even a sauerkraut-eating contest. Kids under the age of 16 are granted free admission, and tickets for adults range from $10 up to $500.
July is a popular time to travel, so if you already have plans, don’t worry. You can also try to make it to the town’s HermannFest in September, where German music blasts while locals and visitors alike dance under the Hermann Monument to celebrate “Hermann the German.” Admission is totally free.
And, of course, how could it claim to be the most German town in the country without an Oktoberfest? The Oktoberfest of New Ulm is considered one of the best Oktoberfests in the country, with festivities spanning over the course of two weekends in October. Similarly to Bavarian Blast, Oktoberfest involves plenty of beer, food, and live music.
