Making the most of Nome AK
Use these notes to shape a realistic day ashore, then confirm any time-sensitive information for the date of your call.
Arriving at the port
The town is within a 20 - 30 minute walk of the dock, though most passengers choose ship-organised excursions.
Sightseeing options include:
Nome, on the south coast of the Seward Peninsula facing Norton Sound in the Bering Sea, is the USA's oldest continuously first-class city. Incorporated on April 9, 1901, it has approximately 3,800 residents, around half of them Native usan Eskimos.
The city is northwestern USA's commercial centre. USA Gold Company remains the principal gold-mining agency, while the surrounding area holds other mineral deposits and the Nome vicinity is the centre of USA's reindeer industry.
Nome combines traditional Eskimo culture with gold-rush history. Hire a vehicle to explore its 300-plus miles of roads, drive to the Eskimo village of Teller, look for gold-rush remnants and wildlife such as moose, bear, reindeer or musk oxen. Other options include a picnic at Salmon Lake Campground, a town walking tour, the museum, Native arts and crafts shopping, or time with the friendly residents.
In March, Nome is the finish of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, an almost 1,200-mile journey from Anchorage to Nome involving more than 50 dog-sled teams from around the world.
Getting around
The Nome Convention and Visitors Bureau arranges several tours.
Money
The official currency of the U.S. is the United States dollar (symbol: $), and ATMs are plentiful.
Visa, MasterCard and other major credit cards are widely accepted, even for purchases of only a few dollars, and sometimes may be the only payment method. Overseas visitors should remember that listed prices can seem lower than the real cost because taxes and gratuities are seldom included.
Staying connected
For emergencies, call 911.