Nome lies on the southern side of the Seward Peninsula, on the coast of the Bering Sea in Arctic Alaska. Here, Gold Rush history, regional culture and seasonal events meet a landscape of tundra, mountains and coastal plains. Your interests are the main factor in choosing when to visit: the Iditarod finish shapes March, while some programs at the Bering Land Bridge Heritage Center take place in summer.
Getting to Nome and the surrounding landscape
Nome is not connected to the Alaska Highway System. Apart from flying, the city is accessible only by water and via a few snowmobile or dogsled trails; the availability of these trails and connections can change seasonally. Plan your route before your visit. This remote location is important for trip planning: the roads around Nome do not connect to the Alaska Highway System.
Nome’s road network stretches for about 250 miles through tundra, mountains and coastal plains. Gold Rush remnants can be seen along the routes. More than 40 remnants of gold dredges are visible from the road network in the Nome area. The landscape and its traces can thus be viewed together, without relying on any one particular loop drive.
Gold Rush history and culture
A self-guided historical walking tour takes you to buildings that have survived numerous fires and floods. Confirm on site whether the visitor handout is available. The Swanberg Dredge is about one mile from downtown and can be reached on foot. It adds a specific example to the visible Gold Rush remnants; the road network and walking tour offer different ways to explore the history.
The Carrie M. McLain Memorial Museum preserves and shares the culture, history and art of Nome and the Bering Strait. The Bering Land Bridge Heritage Center is also located in Nome. Together, the museum and Heritage Center are a reason to plan time for the city’s cultural history, rather than focusing your stay only on the landscape and events.
Seasonal events and activities
Every March, Nome is the destination of the 1,049-mile Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. Hundreds of events take place around the race finish, and visitors can attend them. The exact programs vary from year to year, so check the dates for your planned travel period. If you choose Nome for the race, you’ll find a different seasonal focus here than during a summer visit.
From June through August, the Bering Land Bridge Heritage Center offers Sidewalk Talks, Junior Ranger programs and Tundra Tots during most weeks. Check dates and schedules before your trip. Tour operators in Nome also offer guided hikes in summer and winter. As operators and seasonal availability can change, check directly with the operator to find out what is available during your travel period.
There are 14 rivers in the Nome area. Most are accessible via the road network in the Nome area and offer fishing opportunities; conditions vary seasonally. The Aurora Borealis is another possible natural experience: it can be seen about one mile beyond Nome’s city lights. As a seasonal natural phenomenon, visibility depends on conditions. Rivers, hikes and the Northern Lights are therefore different reasons to consider a visit outside the Iditarod period.
An excursion near Nome
Near Nome, Pilgrim Hot Springs offers thermal waters and a habitat for waterfowl. A permit is required for access; it can be obtained free of charge at the Nome Visitor Center. Confirm the process before your visit. This is an additional reason to explore the region, but it does not replace planning your travel to Nome itself.
When looking for hotels, you can choose your travel dates to match your main interests: March brings the Iditarod finish and events around the race, while Heritage Center programs take place during most weeks from June through August. Check the relevant dates before planning your accommodation for that period. Discover more destinations: Gambell.
Return to the broader travel overview: Nome Census Area.
