Milford Town Guide: The Oval, Antiques, Art and Dining

Milford sits on the Souhegan River in western Hillsborough County, about 14 miles west of Nashua and 20 miles southwest of Manchester. It is close enough to the cities for an easy afternoon trip, but it has the feel of a classic New England mill town, with a lively town center, a strong local arts scene, and one of the larger antiques businesses in the state. This guide covers things to do in Milford NH, where to eat, and a bit of the history that makes the town interesting.

Milford at a glance

Milford had 16,131 residents at the 2020 census. The town was set off from Amherst and incorporated in 1794, and its name is usually explained as coming from a mill built at a ford on the Souhegan. The river still runs through the center of town, an eastward-flowing tributary of the Merrimack.

Milford's nickname is "The Granite Town." Its 19th-century quarries produced stone that, among other things, was used for the pillars of the U.S. Treasury in Washington, D.C., the building shown on the back of the $10 bill.

The town has a notable literary history too. Milford was the home of Harriet E. Wilson, whose semi-autobiographical novel Our Nig: Or, Sketches in the Life of a Free Black was published in 1859. It is regarded as the first novel published in the United States by an African American woman. Milford was also a stop on the Underground Railroad.

The Oval

The heart of town is the Oval, also called Union Square. Despite the name, it is actually roughly triangular. The "oval" name dates from the 19th century, when it really was oval in shape. The Pillsbury Bandstand is its centerpiece, and the Souhegan River forms the backdrop.

Today the Oval is formed by a modified traffic rotary where Routes 13 and 101A meet, and it is ringed by shops, restaurants and civic buildings. It is the natural starting point for a walk around town, and it is where many of Milford's community events take place. Park once and explore on foot.

The Brickhouse Restaurant and Brewery

The Brickhouse Restaurant and Brewery sits "right in the heart of the Oval," as the restaurant puts it. It combines a full-service restaurant with its own signature craft brews and a lively live-music scene, and its tagline is "Feel the Pulse of Milford." It has full-service bars, private dining rooms for functions, a catering menu, and online ordering.

The Brickhouse says its beers are "brewed with creativity and just a bit of chaos." It is the obvious pick for an evening out on the Oval, especially if you want to catch a band. Check its concerts page for what is coming up, and book a table for busy nights.

Trattoria Villagio

Trattoria Villagio, at 54 Nashua Street, is a trattoria a short walk from the Oval. Its motto sums up the spirit: "Breaking bread with friends and family is a simple way of sharing the love of food and each other." It is a dinner restaurant, with its food and drink menus posted online. Hours are limited and it is closed some days, so check before you go.

Chunki Chip

For something sweet, Chunki Chip at 183 Elm Street makes thick, fresh-baked cookies. It is the kind of stop that turns a quick errand into a treat, and a box of cookies makes an easy thing to bring home or to a gathering.

New Hampshire Antique Co-op

The New Hampshire Antique Co-op, at 323 Elm Street, is a major destination for collectors. It is a multi-dealer antiques shop. Beyond the dealer floor, it operates a fine art gallery that mounts regular exhibitions of American paintings, along with bench-made furniture, consignments and appraisals, estate sales, custom framing and restoration services.

Collectors and casual browsers alike will find plenty to look at, from furniture to paintings. Plan for more time than you expect. With many dealers under one roof, it is easy to spend a whole afternoon browsing. The Co-op also sells online, if you want a preview before your visit.

Creative Ventures Gallery

Creative Ventures Gallery, at 411 Nashua Street, combines studio, gallery and classroom under one roof, and it is open to the public. Area artists work in the space, so visitors can watch art being made and talk with the artists.

Its Local Artists Gallery sells work by area artists year-round, including oil, acrylic, watercolor, pastels, mixed media and other two-dimensional art, as well as glass. The gallery changes constantly, and it also offers classes, workshops, art camps and art talks. It is a good stop for anyone from the casual art lover to the student looking for a class.

Milford Drive-In

The Milford Drive-In, at 531 Elm Street, is a classic drive-in movie theater and a nostalgic outing for families. Watching a film from your own car, with snacks from the concession stand, is a summer tradition that many families still love. Showtimes and the operating season are posted by the theater, so check its website or social pages before you head out. Bring blankets for cool evenings.

A day in Milford

Here is one easy way to spend a day in town:

1. Late morning at the NH Antique Co-op, browsing the dealer floor and the fine art gallery.

2. Lunch and a stroll around the Oval, past the Pillsbury Bandstand and down to the river.

3. Afternoon at Creative Ventures Gallery to see local artists at work.

4. Cookies from Chunki Chip for the road.

5. Dinner at Trattoria Villagio or the Brickhouse, or a movie under the stars at the drive-in.

Why visit in September

Early fall is a pleasant time for a Milford outing. The summer heat has eased, the walk around the Oval and along the river is comfortable, and indoor stops like the Antique Co-op and the gallery make the town a good choice whatever the weather.

Getting there

• From Nashua. Milford is about 14 miles west of Nashua, a quick drive via Route 101A.
• From Manchester. The town is about 20 miles southwest of Manchester.
• Parking. Park near the Oval and walk. Most of the downtown stops in this guide are within easy reach of the town center.

Tips for visiting

• Check hours. Several businesses keep limited or seasonal hours.
• Pair Milford with nearby towns. Amherst, Milford's neighbor and the town it separated from, makes a natural add-on. See our guide to things to do in Amherst NH.
• Bring a bag for finds. Between the antiques and the local art, it is easy to come home with something.

FAQ

Why is Milford called the Granite Town?

Its quarries produced granite that was used, among other things, for the pillars of the U.S. Treasury building in Washington, D.C.

What is the Milford Oval?

The Oval, or Union Square, is Milford's town center. It is roughly triangular, with the Pillsbury Bandstand at its center and the Souhegan River behind it.

What is there to do in Milford, NH?

Browse the New Hampshire Antique Co-op, visit Creative Ventures Gallery, catch a movie at the drive-in, and eat and hear live music at the Brickhouse on the Oval.

When was Milford founded?

Milford was incorporated in 1794, when it separated from Amherst.

Who was Harriet E. Wilson?

She was a Milford resident whose 1859 novel Our Nig is regarded as the first novel published in the United States by an African American woman.

Sources

• Milford, New Hampshire, Wikipedia (population, history, name, Granite Town, Harriet E. Wilson, the Oval, geography, distances): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milford,_New_Hampshire
• The Brickhouse Restaurant and Brewery, official site (location on the Oval, craft brews, live music, private dining): https://www.brickhousenh.com/
• Trattoria Villagio, official site (address, motto): https://www.trattoriavillagio.net/
• Chunki Chip, official site (thick fresh-baked cookies): https://www.chunkichip.com/
• New Hampshire Antique Co-op, official site (dealers, fine art gallery, services): https://www.nhantiquecoop.com/
• Creative Ventures Gallery, official site (studio, gallery and classroom; Local Artists Gallery; classes): https://www.creativeventuresfineart.com/
• Milford Drive-In, official site: https://www.milforddrivein.com/