Teller AlaskaATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Teller, Alaska.
1. Port Clarence and Grantley Harbor
SCENIC COASTAL VIEWS
Port Clarence and Grantley Harbor form the beautiful coastal setting for the Inupiaq village of Teller. Visitors can enjoy spectacular views of the waterways that have been vital to the region's history and culture. The harbor area offers opportunities for photography, wildlife viewing, and understanding the maritime significance to local communities.
2. Teller Cultural Center
INUPIAQ HERITAGE DISPLAY
The Teller Cultural Center showcases the rich Inupiaq heritage of this traditional village. Visitors can view local artifacts, artwork, and historical photographs that tell the story of life on the Seward Peninsula. The center provides valuable insights into the customs, subsistence practices, and resilience of the Inupiaq people who have called this region home for generations.
3. Nome-Teller Highway Scenic Drive
SPECTACULAR WILDERNESS JOURNEY
The Nome-Teller Highway offers a breathtaking 73-mile scenic drive west of Nome to the Inupiat village of Teller. The route passes through magnificent landscapes featuring panoramic vistas of craggy mountains, rolling tundra, and river valleys. Travelers can witness the majesty of the Kigluaik Mountains on clear days and observe unique features like exposed permafrost near Livingston Creek.
4. Sinuk River Crossing
SALMON VIEWING SPOT
The Sinuk River Crossing is the largest river crossing on the Teller Road, offering an impressive panoramic vista. This reliable salmon viewing spot allows visitors to observe these magnificent fish on their return journey upriver. Birdwatchers will appreciate the diverse species attracted to the flowing water, gravel bars, islands, and thick vegetation clustered along sections of the river.
5. Kigluaik Mountains Viewpoint
MAJESTIC MOUNTAIN PANORAMA
The Kigluaik Mountains Viewpoint provides a spectacular vista of one of the Seward Peninsula's most dramatic mountain ranges. Located on the crest of a hill north of the Sinuk River along the Nome-Teller Highway, this stop offers breathtaking photo opportunities on clear days. Visitors can take in the sweeping landscape that exemplifies the wild beauty of northwestern Alaska.
6. Livingston Creek Permafrost Display
NATURAL GEOLOGICAL FEATURE
Near Livingston Creek along the Nome-Teller Highway, visitors can observe a natural permafrost display where tundra has sloughed away. This unique geological feature provides a rare glimpse beneath the surface layer of tundra plants and soil to reveal the permanently frozen ground below. The site offers an educational opportunity to understand the fragile arctic ecosystem and the effects of climate change in the region.
7. Tupqaġruk Community Market
LOCAL CRAFTS AND GOODS
Tupqaġruk Community Market in Teller offers visitors the chance to purchase authentic Inupiaq crafts and local goods. Artisans sell traditional items including carved ivory, beadwork, fur products, and other handmade creations that reflect the culture and artistic traditions of the region. The market provides a meaningful way to support the local economy while taking home a genuine piece of Alaska's indigenous heritage.
8. Bering Land Bridge National Preserve
HISTORIC CONTINENTAL CONNECTION
The Bering Land Bridge National Preserve protects a remnant of the ancient land connection that once linked Asia and North America. This vast wilderness area contains unique volcanic features, wetlands, and tundra that tell the story of human migration into the Americas thousands of years ago. Visitors can explore this remote preserve through guided tours that highlight its archaeological significance and diverse ecosystem.
9. Independence Mine State Historical Park
GOLD RUSH HISTORY
Independence Mine State Historical Park preserves the remains of one of Alaska's largest gold mining operations from the early 20th century. Visitors can explore well-preserved buildings and learn about the area's mining history through exhibits and guided tours led by knowledgeable staff. The park offers a fascinating glimpse into Alaska's gold rush era set against a stunning mountain backdrop.
10. Totem Poles
NATIVE ALASKAN ARTISTRY
The Totem Poles of Alaska represent some of the most distinctive and impressive Native Alaskan artwork, with significant collections found in Ketchikan. These intricate wooden sculptures tell stories of family lineages, important events, and cultural beliefs of the indigenous peoples of the Pacific Northwest. Visitors can admire these masterpieces at locations like Totem Bight State Historical Park, Saxman Native Village, and the Totem Heritage Center.
11. The Chilkoot Trail
HISTORIC GOLD RUSH PATH
The Chilkoot Trail is a 33-mile historic path that follows the route taken by gold seekers during the Klondike Gold Rush of 1897-1898. This challenging trail begins in Dyea near Skagway and crosses the international border into British Columbia, Canada, offering hikers a journey through both natural beauty and rich history. Along the way, visitors can see abandoned equipment and artifacts from the gold rush era, creating a powerful connection to this pivotal chapter in Alaskan history.
12. Trans-Alaska Pipeline
ENGINEERING MARVEL
The Trans-Alaska Pipeline is an 800-mile engineering marvel that transports oil from Prudhoe Bay to Valdez, visible at several viewing points including one near Fairbanks. Constructed between 1975 and 1977, this massive infrastructure project represents one of the world's largest pipeline systems and played a crucial role in Alaska's economic development. Visitors can learn about the technical challenges overcome during its construction and the ongoing environmental safeguards employed to protect Alaska's wilderness.
13. The North Pole
CHRISTMAS YEAR ROUND
The North Pole is a festive community near Fairbanks where Christmas is celebrated year-round with candy cane-striped street lights and holiday decorations. Visitors can explore Santa Claus House, a famous landmark where they can meet Santa himself and shop for Christmas ornaments and gifts regardless of the season. Children especially enjoy this whimsical destination where streets have names like Snowman Lane and St. Nicholas Drive, creating a magical atmosphere even in the middle of summer.
14. Denali
NORTH AMERICA'S TALLEST PEAK
Denali, formerly known as Mount McKinley, stands as North America's tallest peak at 20,310 feet and serves as the centerpiece of Denali National Park. The mountain creates its own weather system and is often shrouded in clouds, making clear views a special treat for lucky visitors. Wildlife viewing, hiking, and photography opportunities abound in the surrounding six million acres of wilderness that make up one of America's most spectacular national parks.
15. Kennicott Mine & Ghost Town
COPPER MINING HISTORY
Kennicott Mine & Ghost Town preserves an abandoned copper mining operation that once thrived in the early 20th century. Located within Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, the site features striking red mill buildings set against a backdrop of mountains and glaciers. Visitors can take guided tours of the historic structures to learn about the boom-and-bust cycle of resource extraction that shaped Alaska's development.