We won’t pretend to be New York, but New Ulm does have its diversions. If your student calls home with the classic “I’m bored,” suggest one of these:
Within walking distance
- Swimming, track, basketball, volleyball, racket ball, fitness center–all free at Vogel Arena
- Sand volleyball in Harmon Park (bottom of the hill)
- Movies at New Ulm Cinema 3
- Shopping at Herberger’s
- Coffee at Cornerstone or Lola’s Larkspur
- Hiking, running, swimming, camping, and picnicking at Flandrau State Park
- Disc golf at Nehl’s Park (and at South Park–by car)
- Bike trails: 2-mile trail from campus to Wal-Mart, 5-mile trail by the river
- Browsing at Bookshelves and Coffeecups
- Golfing at New Ulm Country Club (special student rate)
A few minutes by car
- Bowling at Concordia Lanes
- Enchiladas at Plaza Garibaldi
- Ice skating and hockey at the Civic Center
- Half-price appetizers at Applebees
- A Target or Wal-Mart run
- Canoeing, kayaking, floating on Cottonwood or Minnesota Rivers
- Skateboarding at the dedicated skateboard park on German Street
A tad farther
- Mankato’s only 30 miles away, and the Twin Cities, 90 miles.
If nothing sounds good to them, you might want to dig a little deeper. Sometimes “I’m bored” is code language for “I’m sad and lonely.” Encourage them to make more effort, take a risk, talk to someone they don’t know. It could make all the difference!