Day One
- Take the kids to Riverside Park. Let them climb all over the “pirate ships playground” and meet Gertie the Goose, the statue that is an unofficial mascot of the area known as Goosetown. Or bring the fishing poles and drop a line in the water, right where riverboats docked a century and a half ago. Head into the Riverside History & Nature Center for some hands-on education about the river and it’s history.
- Head to the skate park for some exciting jumps, or ride your bikes along the former railroad bed that is now a paved, thirteen-mile regional trail.
- Grab a quick lunch at any of New Ulm’s casual restaurants, saving room for some locally-made fudge from Lola – An American Bistro.
- At the August Schell brewery, the kids can enjoy 1919 Root Beer while adults sample craft beers following an approximate one-hour tour. On the grounds surrounding the brewery, come face-to-feather with peacocks, see the live deer in the deer park, or see if the kids can spot the little gnomes “hiding” throughout the gardens.
- Explore the Brown County Historical Society Museum, which has interactive hands-on exhibits, for a little education before a swim in the hotel pool.
Day Two
- Climb to the top of Hermann Monument to take in the sights from high atop the town. The park surrounding the monument also has playground equipment and picnic shelters.
- Hike through Flandrau State Park, or take in one of the naturalist-led programs. During warm months, hit the beach at Flandrau’s sandbottomed pool.
- Have an authentic German lunch at one of New Ulm’s restaurants. (Don’t worry, your picky eaters always have the kids’ menu.)
- Watch the 12 figurines from New Ulm’s history “perform” from their perch inside the 45-foot tall Glockenspiel.
- Head a few miles outside town to the Harkin Store, a general store that served the once thriving riverside town of West Newton in the late 1800s. Costumed guides welcome visitors throughout the summer, leading activities for families and teaching about life during the 19th Century.