Inn at Oxbow Acres Milan NH: Review and What to Do Nearby
Milan NH sits near the borders of Canada and Maine USA – way the heck up there. You have to make a concerted effort to get here, which is why it’s so popular for a certain kind of traveler. Read on to see if you fit the profile: and if so, have we got a B&B for you!
Of course the Mavens have more dreamy weekend ideas in New Hampshire. Just check out of Best Romantic Getaways in NH post. And our Surprisingly Romantic Hotels in New Hampshire. This, of course, is one of them.
Inn at Oxbow Acres Milan NH Review
Brian and Maria Chamberlain have embraced a particular Northern New Hampshire lifestyle: that of farm B&B owners. The Inn at Oxbow Acres in “Moose Country” Milan NH radiates the romantic and bucolic aspects of rural New England. During these fraught times it’s a magnet for people looking for peace and quiet with upscale accommodations and great breakfasts.
Hailing from Los Angeles, Maria exudes an artsy warmhearted aura, and her whimsical-folksy aesthetic can be seen in every one of the pinewood walled guest and common rooms. The whole place is pure Adirondack Piney Woods chic: heavy on moose and pine tree accessories, signs, and knickknacks.
Brian grew up on a New England dairy farm, which explains his eager, project-oriented and caretaking approach to landscaping, animal welfare, and updating the vast property.
Who Stays at Inn at Oxbow Acres
You don’t come here for the nightlife. (If that’s what you need – go elsewhere). You stay to be wrapped in rural tranquility and dark night skies. And – possibly to see some live moose in their native habitat – as this part of NH is known as “Moose Alley.”
So, who specifically books a room or the whole inn here?
Romantics who like rural upscale B&B’s. Moose aficionados. Wedding parties. Hunters and fly-fisherwomen (and men), snowmobilers (the snowmobile Powerline Trail meets up with the Inn’s pasture line). ATV’ers (plenty of trails around). Girlfriend groups or young couples. “There’s not one age group in particular,” says Maria.
The Inn at Oxbow Acres Property
Opened in 2020, the 26-acre riverfront B&B is home to three horses, two melodramatic miniature ponies and miniature donkeys, and a gaggle of over 50 chickens of various ages. “The older ones are freeloaders, as they’re too old to lay eggs, but they help keep the bug population down,” Maria explains.
About half the property – encompassing the inn, the barn, a grove of apple trees, an array of solar panels, the animals, and pastures – is on one side of Route 16.
The other side offers more acres of lawn sloping down to the banks of the winding Androscoggin River. It’s calming just to walk down to the water and sit a spell in provided chairs.
Guest Rooms at Inn at Oxbow Acres
My room, Old Speck, is a large King room with a wall sized floor to ceiling picture window overlooking pastures and the Mahoosuc Mountains – the northernmost range of the White Mountains. It sports moose themed pillows, and witty eclectic decor that would be right at home in the Pacific Northwest.
At night, the sky is dark enough to stargaze almost from the bed – both through the picture window and a second dormer window. I got up several times to scan the sky for shooting stars and satellites, and though I saw none that night – I did see the kind of canopy of stars I never witness in my town. When the Northern Lights are active – this is the perfect room from which to see those colorful dancing lights.
The Old Speck bathroom is adorably decked out with a triagonal carved stone sink illuminated by a trio of mason-jar lights, and a corner shower snazzed up with a splash of multi-color tiles.
All six rooms are uniquely decorated: One with a stone wall, others with artist-crafted panels of moose (of course) and fish.
Breakfast
I’ve never had a fresher, more delicious mushroom-spinach-cheese frittata; made with eggs straight from the hens out back. Paired with bacon and fresh-baked sourdough bread (thanks to Maria – an excellent baker), it’s a hearty farm breakfast that skews gourmet. Maria is quick to let me know that she is sensitive to people with food allergies, and will work around their needs.
Weddings
For those who don’t want to spend a gazillion dollars on a city wedding – The Inn at Oxbow Acres is in high demand. Mostly for the boffo location, but also because Maria keeps a vast array of party accessories in the basement for bridal parties to use.
When a local florist went out of business – the Chamberlains picked up a slew of vases, floating candles, chairs (including an antique “gossip chair”), and silk flowers in every shape and color. Wedding organizers are welcome to pick and choose whatever they need – as part of the wedding packages, which range from $2,500 – $6,500 (not including the food) depending on the day of the week and time of the year for up to 30 or 60 guests inside and up to 150 outside.
Elopement packages for up to 12 people include a justice of the peace, some small snacks, flowers and lodging for the wedding couple, small wedding cake for 4-6, and sparkling cider: cost, $2,000 – $2,650 depending on time of year.
Things to Do Near Inn at Oxbow Acres
The Inn at Oxbow Farms is situated in the very rural Milan, NH. The town is pronounced “My-lin” because a slew of Italian immigrants didn’t want it to be confused with the same-named town in Italy (and same for nearby Berlin – which here is pronounced Brrrr-lin; emphasis on the first syllable).
Nansen Ski Jump Historic Site (4 miles from the Inn), Milan
You’d be forgiven if you thought this was Lake Placid – which also has two ski jumps – one long, one shorter – side by side. A national landmark, the Nansen Ski Jump, built in 1936-1938, hosted the first U.S. Olympic ski jumping trials in 1938 and numerous national championships. It was, at 171.5 feet, the longest steel tower ski jump in the world for 50 years. Although 2017 saw its last jump due to its need for restoration, the smaller Ski Jump adjacent to it, “Little Nansen,” still hosts the Eastern Junior Olympic Qualifiers on the last weekend in January every year.
Berlin Riverwalk, Berlin
The over half-mile Berlin Riverwalk traverses the Androscoggin River through Heritage Park. The gorgeous waterfront park, hosts Music in the Park from its historic bandstand in summer, and RiverFire every fall – similar to the one in Providence RI, when bonfires light up the center of the river.
Berlin is a close as you’ll get to a bona fide town around here, with a main street straight out of a James Sterwart movie. For some excellent pub grub and local camaraderie, have a pint and a fantastic burger (or one of 8 poutine dishes) at the Hydro Tavern.
Jericho Mountain State Park, Berlin
While there’s an extensive network of ATV trails at Jericho Mountain State Park, families with young children love the solitude and beauty of its clean lake and sandy shore. Rent kayaks, canoes, or SUP’s here – and you can book a campsite for the night as well. “It’s got some of the nicest, cleanest bathrooms you’ll ever find in a State Park,” visitors have remarked.
Milan Hills State Park
In winter, Milan Hills SP is the place to go for XCountry skiing. But many come here to climb the 54 ft. fire tower – affording expansive views of the Mahoosuc Mountains from its near-the-top open platform.
The views are so breathtaking, you might just happen upon an artist or two, capturing the scene on canvas. (Shown here is a work in progress by Jessica Fligg).
For those who wish to stay amid all this beauty, there are 10 campsites, and four yurts to rent.
