New Ulm was founded as a settlement of German immigrants in the 1850s, and that heritage is still evident in the downtown Glockenspiel (clock tower), the town's festivals, a traditional sausage shop, a brewery dating to the 1860s, and shops featuring German imports. In fact, New Ulm is known for its array of specialty shops, making it a fun fall getaway for some early holiday shopping.

Domeiers and the GutenTag Haus carry a variety of German-made gifts, from crystal to cuckoo clocks, and the Christmas Haus also carries German imports. There are several other interesting shops in the downtown area, offering everything from antiques to quilts. For gifts and collectibles, check out Edelweiss, Country Loft, Larkspur Market and Lambrecht's. An unusual 1926 gas station, with two round towers at each end, has been transformed into the Weeds & Reeds gift shop.

There are a number of architecturally interesting buildings, and visitors can pick up a brochure outlining a walking tour of the historic district. It's available at the Brown County Historical Museum, housed in the ornate 1910 Post Office.

No German town would be complete without a brewery, and the August Schell Brewery is still operated by the descendents of its founder. It's worth the visit for the grounds alone, with the old family home, formal gardens, deer park and roaming peacocks. There's a gift shop, and brewery tours are offered Friday through Sundays in the fall. (Note: Tickets to these popular tours go on sale at noon, and there are no reservations.)

Wine making is another fine German tradition, and the Morgan Creek Vineyards is in the countryside several miles southeast of New Ulm. The winery offers more than a dozen reds and whites, among them, the German classics, Riesling and Gewurztraminer. A newcomer is the semi-sweet Zeitgeist. Fridays through October, there's live jazz during Winedown for the Weekend. The winery is open Friday to Sunday each weekend through December.

In New Ulm itself, Oktoberfest will be held the first two weekends in October, with plenty of German song, bands and foods. Visitors to New Ulm can choose from several motels or stay at one of the beautiful B&Bs, or can camp at Flandrau State Park at the edge of town.

On the way to New Ulm, enjoy the scenery of the Minnesota River Valley Scenic Byway, a route that roughly follows the river. Stands of trees turned yellow and gold in the fall, and the drive leads to several state parks and historic sites.

For more info:
New Ulm Chamber of Commerce
888-463-9856
www.newulm.com

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