Details: Old World towns in the Midwest
DETAILS
GETTING THERE
Delta offers nonstop flights from Washington Dulles to Minneapolis, with late-January fares currently starting at about $400 round trip.
WHERE TO STAY
Country B&B
17038 320 St.
Shafer, Minn.
651-257-4773
Three rooms, plus a Swedish-influenced breakfast, in a former homestead of Swedish immigrants. Doubles are $150 a night.
Deutsche Strasse B&B
404 S. German St.
New Ulm, Minn.
507-354-2005
Five rooms, including the Black Forest Suite, in a 19th-century house. Breakfast included. Rooms from $109.
Chalet Landhaus
801 Hwy. 69
New Glarus, Wis.
800-944-1716
Bunk in Swiss chalet-style accommodations and dine on such Swiss specialties as fondue. Rooms from $89.
WHERE TO EAT
Swedish Village Restaurant
280 Andrews Ave.
Center City, Minn.
651-257-6665
Serves lutfisk ($9.95) year-round, as well as Swedish pancakes and meatballs (from $3.95), plus American fare.
New Ulm Turner Hall
102 S. State St.
New Ulm
507-354-4916
www.newulmturnerhall.org/dining
Meeting place of the town’s founders offers the Rathskeller bar and a dining room serving burgers, steaks, fish, salads and more. Dishes from $6.
New Glarus Hotel Restaurant
100 Sixth Ave.
New Glarus
608-527-5244
www.newglarushotel.com/restaurant
Dine like a true Swiss, or Wisconsinite, on roesti, raclette, schnitzel, cheese curds, etc.
Entrees from $17.
WHAT TO DO
Gammelgarden Museum
20880 Olinda Trail
Scandia, Minn.
651-433-5053
Open-air museum offers tours May through mid-October, 1-4 p.m. Friday through Sunday; $5. The Scandia Butik shop is open through Dec. 23.
Mall of America
60 E. Broadway
Bloomington, Minn.
952-883-8800
More than 500 stores, plus special holiday events. An ice castle and snow park will open in January; $10 admission. Regular mall hours: Monday -Saturday 10 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Check Web site for special holiday hours.
American Swedish Institute
2600 Park Ave.
Minneapolis
612-871-4907
Learn about Swedish and Scandinavian culture through programs and such special exhibits as “A Nordic Christmas” (through Jan.13). On-site gift shop and cafe. Museum hours: Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday noon to 5 p.m., Wednesday noon to 8 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Brown County Historical Society Museum
2 N. Broadway St.
New Ulm
507-233-2616
Historical displays, plus the Menzel Village, a Christmas scene with hundreds of pieces from around the world. Tuesday-Friday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., $5.
Schell’s Brewing Co.
1860 Schell Rd.
New Ulm
800-770-5020
Tours of the 19th-century brewery are offered multiple times Friday through Sunday. $3.
Domeier’s German Store
1020 S. Minnesota St.
New Ulm
507-354-4231
Fill your house, and stockings, with German goodies and crafts. Open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Puempel’s Olde Tavern
18 Sixth Ave.
New Glarus
608-527-2045
Order a New Glarus Brewing Co. beer, then try your hand at the dollar toss. Bands occasionally also perform Swiss music.
INFORMATION
A.S.
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