Nome Day Excursion

Today you will travel by jet, to the fabled city of Nome made famous by gold and now the finish line for the “Last Great Race”.

On arrival you will be met by your Nome summer tour guide.

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, your guide 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.

Later this afternoon your guide picks you up 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 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. Your guide 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.