Top 10 Things to do in Williston, ND
Williston is an expanding city with a rugged, frontier spirit. Known as the second largest city in the upper Missouri River region of North Dakota, Williston offers residents the perfect mix of city life and outdoor access. Our team here at Bison Crossing wants to help you discover Williston's most cherished local gems, including restaurants, parks, and entertainment opportunities. Read further to explore our top 10 favorite spots.
Top 5 Restaurants in Williston, ND
Doc Holliday's Roadhouse
Doc Holliday’s Roadhouse brings together the most eclectic Americana décor with perfectly grilled steaks, stacked hamburgers, and decadent desserts. The walls and ceilings are lined with cowboy boots, vintage license plates, and even ornate, full-sized Harley Davidson motorcycles. It’s one part biker bar, one part steakhouse, and one part Wild West saloon. Visitors highlight the BBQ filled “Redneck Egg Rolls,” the tortilla soup, the “Corral Burger” topped with bacon and signature sauce, and of course, the juicy 14oz ribeye. The entertainment never ends at Doc Holliday’s Roadhouse.
Don Pedro's Family Mexican Restaurant
Thai Tasty
Everything you need to know is already in the name— the food at Thai Tasty is indeed… quite tasty! Originally started out of a colorful food truck, the restaurant developed a loyal following, eventually moving into its own brick and mortar in order to serve the local demand. The most popular dishes are the pad Thai, the green curry, the pad lo-mein (a Chinese-Thai fusion dish), and the crab rangoons, and Thai dumplings for appetizers. Thai Tasty successfully delivers one of America’s favorite international cuisines to the Bakken region.
Dabeno's Bistro
Looking for upscale cuisine served in a relaxed atmosphere? Dabeno’s Bistro is one of Williston’s classiest restaurants offering appetizers like French onion soup, calamari, and colorful charcuterie boards, alongside hearty entrees like shrimp scampi, Scottish salmon, and a delectable arrabbiata pizza. Dabeno’s also serves a range of classic steak cuts including the filet, ribeye, 18oz porterhouse, and a massive 56oz tomahawk ribeye that is sufficient for multiple guests! Of course, Dabeno’s has a full menu for wine, beer, and cocktails that pair perfectly with your meal of choice.
Williston Brewing Company
Williston Brewing Company is the Bakken’s most cherished gastropub, where a relaxed, traditional bar setting meets high-quality, restaurant-level cuisine. The menu is filled with tantalizing meals like the prime rib burger, the jalapeno popper pizza, and chef-certified entrées like the blackened walleye, the macadamia nut chicken, the cilantro lime carne asada, and the cooked-to-perfection rotisserie chicken. On top of this, the gastropub has over forty beers on tap, which includes a rotating cast of craft beers from the Midwest and beyond. The good times keep rolling at Williston Brewing Company.
Top 5 Places To Go in Williston, ND
The Frontier Museum provides a rich, educational environment that gives visitors the opportunity to experience a day in the life of a frontiersman. It features period-accurate exhibits including a general store, school, and church. Because of its commitment to historical accuracy, The Frontier Museum is an official partner of the Lewis and Clark Trail Experience, an organization which provides resources for people interested in the historic expedition. Many of the exhibits at the museum are accurate representations of the land and cultures that Lewis & Clark would have interacted with. If you’ve ever been curious about the early history of America, then The Frontier Museum is the place to visit.
Every city needs a great park, a place where locals can gather to picnic, play, and enjoy the outdoors. In Williston, that is Spring Lake Park a sprawling green space with walking trails, rentable picnic areas, grilling stations, multiple playgrounds, a fishing dock, a volleyball court, and a sandy beach. The lake itself is one of the main attractions where visitors can swim, fish, and boat. The park also features a building called the “Keel Boat,” a ship-like structure that is the perfect place for birthdays, weddings, and other big events.
The Eagle Ridge Golf Club is Williston’s only 18-hole championship golf course, a stunning links course that accentuates the natural beauty of North Dakota’s upper Missouri River region. Established in 1958, long before Williston’s oil boom in the early 2000’s, the course has become a well-respected, time-honored institution within the community. The club offers season pass memberships, coaching from knowledgeable golf pros, and tasty meals at McCoy’s Bar & Grill. It is highly recommended to schedule ahead and book a tee time with the pro shop.
Known as “the grandest fort on the upper Missouri River,” Fort Union is a historic fur trade post that was in operation from 1828 to 1867. It was a place where trappers, frontiersmen, and Native Americans from the Northern Plains Tribes would meet to exchange buffalo robes, beaver pelts, and a wide range guns, blankets, beads and other goods. Guests are invited to patiently walk through the fort, examining artifacts and getting a felt sense of what Fort Union was like in its heyday. The beautiful white brick buildings with bright red roofing will undoubtedly transport visitors into the life and culture of the 19th century.