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Alaska Airlines offers the easiest, most affordable way to see one of Alaska’s most remote regions—Nome—with twice-daily, nonstop jet service from Anchorage, plus a memorable tour of this undiscovered treasure on the Bering Sea. Best of all, you can often buy this air-plus-land tour combo for less than the plane ticket alone.
Spend just the day, or stay overnight. (You can also extend your tour to take advantage of other tours and adventures in the area.) Either way, you’ll depart Anchorage at 9:30 a.m. on Flight 152 and arrive in Nome a quick 90 minutes later. George Foot, a Nome entrepreneur and summer tour guide for Alaska Airlines, cheerfully greets you curbside with his recognizable "Nome Tours & Marketing" white van.
First up is a drive to the Port, for a sweeping view of the town and beachfront, before heading into downtown Nome. As you drive past the saloons and shops, George will share tales of the town’s stampede past, and how a city on the shores of the Bering Sea attracted 20,000 gold seekers and fortune hunters within months at the turn of the 20th century.
After a couple hours of fascinating exploration, you’ll have the next two hours to yourself for lunch, beachcombing, and strolling down Front Street for some shopping. There’s plenty to buy: Some of Alaska’s best native arts come from this region, including ivory carvings, baskets, and skin sewing, as well as collectibles from the Russian Far East.
George picks you up around 3:30 p.m. and you’re off to the beach, where you may meet modern-day prospectors. Some work the sand, others walk on the ocean floor, vacuuming 5–15 feet beneath the surface and breathing through snorkeling contraptions that float on the surface.
Next up, you’ll experience first-hand the thrill and challenge of the Iditarod Sled Dog Race as Mike Webber, a veteran Iditarod musher, gives one of the most detailed demonstrations of dog mushing available in Alaska, including running his dogs for you.
Then it’s off to Little Creek Mine, where a 1904 strike yielded $1.5 million of gold in an area only one-tenth of a square mile. You’ll feel like you’ve stepped back in time as you examine the exhibits and enjoy a short show about the turn-of-the-century gold rush. George will help you keep gold fever alive by teaching you how to pan for gold. After finding a few specks, you’ll have time to explore the nearby tracks from the old Nome Arctic Railroad.
Time permitting, George will take you up a rocky, rutted road to the summit of Anvil Mt., where you can see for miles across the tundra, town, and Bering Sea beyond. You’ll have a half hour to grab something for dinner, then it’s back to the airport. Day tour guests return on Flight 152, which departs at 9:30 p.m. and arrives in Anchorage around 11 p.m. Overnight guests will have a fun stay at the Nome Nugget Inn along with, obviously, more time to explore this unique town. George picks you up the next morning in time for your 9:45 a.m. flight; you’ll be back in Anchorage around 11 a.m.
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