The Small Alaska Town Locals Hope Stays off Tourists’ Radar

Sometimes, even a world-famous event isn’t enough to draw tourism to a small town. But, in the case of Nome, a hidden tiny town in Alaska, this doesn’t seem to bother locals too much. Residents relish the community's uncrowded nature and take advantage of its gorgeous landscape and activities. Nome is a true gem that tends to stay off tourists' bucket lists, but it's worth the effort to visit.

What Makes This Hidden, Charming Town in Alaska So Special

As a state outside of the contiguous U.S., it’s already easy to think of Alaska as a remote place to live in or to visit. Although it is the largest state, it is one of the least populated, and many of its towns aren’t easily accessible, needing planes or boats to reach them. Nome, a former gold rush town located on the Seward Peninsula, is such a place. A near-exact embodiment of an off-the-grid settlement, Nome has no roads connecting it to the rest of the state. However, it is well connected to the surrounding natural landscapes and to other small towns and even smaller villages. 

Nome's remote location makes it a truly incredible place for exploring the Alaskan wilderness. Bordering the Bering Sea, the town is surrounded by coastal plains, mountains and hills, and a seemingly infinite expanse of arctic tundra. This accessibility to the tundra is well known, as Nome is the finish line for the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, although most would not recognize the town by name. But, for this brief period in March, the town lights up with excitement over the winter sport, even if the majority of visitors are locals, athletes, and the press, rather than tourists. 

The Best Things To Do in Nome, Alaska

As mentioned, the Iditarod’s finish line is in Nome, so attending this event is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Plus, the race generates enough revenue to offer more amenities than one would expect in such a remote town. For example, the downtown area is filled with museums, beloved restaurants, art shops, and a visitors center where you can learn more about native Alaskan culture and the town’s past history as a premier gold rush destination (with the largest gold pan in the world to boot). 

Besides the race and visiting the downtown area, this quiet, small town in Alaska is truly for those adventurous at heart—with miles of tundra to explore, fish to catch, winter sports to partake in, and a multitude of creatures to discover (birdwatching and whale watching are popular pastimes, as well as viewing reindeer and musk oxen).

Then, it’s time for something that many consider to be another bucket-list activity: viewing the northern lights. The time period to see the aurora is vast, with late August to mid-April as peak viewing. With Nome’s rustic nature, low light pollution, and its overall location so far north, the display of colors is truly incredible.

Curious to see the race for yourself? Or perhaps you’re itching to explore the tundras and see the northern lights up close? Plan your trip to Nome using Only In Your State’s itinerary planner! This hidden small town in Alaska is truly a gem—there's something for everyone here. It's worth a visit, even if it takes a little extra effort to get here.