Active Pursuits in Nome

Bird-Watching -- Bird-watchers will make many discoveries out on the Nome roads, turning to previously unused pages of their bird books. A bird list is available at the visitor center, and they post recent sightings and can tell you where to look -- each of the three roads has a different habitat. The best time to visit for birding is Memorial Day through June and in early August. There's a chance to see Siberian birds, and you are likely to see bluethroats, yellow wagtails, wheatears, Arctic warblers, and Aleutian and Arctic terns. Nome is the only place to see a bristle-thighed curlew without chartering a plane (but be ready for a strenuous hike). You don't need a guide, although guided field trips do come to Nome. National park rangers from the Bering Land Bridge National Preserve offers a Saturday bird outing during the migration in May and June; call ahead to check on current details.

Mountain-Biking -- The roads of Nome are one of the world's great undiscovered mountain-biking destinations -- where else can you bike past muskoxen and reindeer? There is no bike rental in town, but for bike enthusiasts, it may be worth renting a bike in Anchorage or bringing yours from home. There is a bike-repair guy in town, Keith Conger, who is a good contact point for information or help with your bike, at Bering C Bikes, 500 Spinning Rock Rd. (tel. 907/443-4994).