NEW ULM — It was recently determined New Ulm is one of the top 10 “bleisure” travel destinations in the United States.

The term “bleisure” describes business travelers visiting business destinations like nearby Minneapolis who extend their trip to enjoy some vacation days. Six of ten business travelers now use bleisure trips with vacation days added on, according to Toronto-based TravelWeek magazine. Since 2016, there was a 40 percent “bleisure” travel increase, according to a travel industry report.

The United States’ top ten small town “bleisure” destinations according to a report are: Julian, Calif.; Bellingham, Wash.; Portsmouth, N.H.; New Ulm; Athens, Ga.; Charlottesville, Va.; Colorado Springs, Colo.; Hershey, Pa.; Sedona, Ariz.; and Shreveport, La.

The report includes a photograph of the August Schell Brewing Co. gift shop entrance and patio.

The story reads: “Want to get away? If you want to visit the second-oldest family-owned brewery in America, drive 98 miles south (of Minneapolis) to New Ulm and check out the August Schell Brewing Company. If you want to stay a night or two, book a room at the cozy Deutsche Strasse Bed & Breakfast, 404 S. German St. You’ll think you’re at a house in the Bavarian Alps.”

Julian was advertised as a small mountain town, the home of fresh baked apple pies and hiking at Volcan Mountain Wilderness Preserve, 62 miles north of San Diego.

Bellingham was touted for a scenic cruise around Chuckanut Drive and Village Books, 90 miles north of Seattle on Interstate 5.

A Portsmouth highlight was a bowl of New England clam chowder and oysters at Jumpin’ Jay’s Fish Cafe, 62 miles north of Boston.

Athens, 72 miles east of Atlanta, featured hidden treasurers at J&J Flea Market.

Charlottesville includes Thomas Jefferson’s home of Monticello, beer and wine tours and a night at the Dinsmore Inn bed & breakfast, 116 miles from Washington, D.C.

Colorado Springs includes Cheyenne Mountain Zoo animal exhibits and a hike through the Garden of the Gods, 70 miles south of Denver.

Hershey, Pa., 95 miles from Philadelphia, features Hershey’s Chocolate World that includes a free tour ride plus Hershey’s-inspired drinks and treats and rare souvenirs and gifts.

Sedona includes rock tours and spiritual vortexes, advertised as powerful, transformational energy centers at the intersection of natural electromagnetic earth energy, known as ley lines, 116 miles north of Phoenix.

Shreveport features the American Rose Center Gardens and the Red River Entertainment District downtown including the Shreveport Aquarium and two casinos, 187 miles east of Dallas.

Fritz Busch can be emailed at fbusch@nujournal.com.

Please also see

Top 10 Bleisure Travel Destinations