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Williston, ND: Where the Fun Never Ends – Best Things to Do and Places to Visit

Williston is a long way from anywhere and that is the first thing to plan around. Rooms here swing with the oil price, so book early and then check the rate twice. Fort Union and Fort Buford both cost very little to walk around. The Badlands are an hour south and cost nothing at all beyond the fuel to get there. Bring food for the road. The gaps between towns out here are longer than they look on a map.

Planning a trip to Williston, North Dakota and wondering what there is to do? You are in the right place. Williston holds plenty for locals and tourists alike. History, art and culture, outdoor activities, family fun or food, Williston has a version of each.

History buffs do well in Williston. Take the historical route and start at the Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site, where the fur trade and the lives of the people who worked the post are laid out. Then the Missouri-Yellowstone Confluence Interpretive Center, which covers where the two rivers meet and what that meant for the area.

For art and culture, Williston has options. The James Memorial Art Center is the one to make, a historic building running art exhibitions, concerts and other cultural events. The Williston Community Library is the quieter version of the same idea. And the Williston Basin Speedway runs car races and events across the year, which is culture of a different sort.

Key Takeaways

• Williston has something for everyone, from history buffs to art enthusiasts to outdoor adventurers.
• Historical sites like the Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site and the Missouri-Yellowstone Confluence Interpretive Center offer a glimpse into the area’s past.
• Art and culture are also prominent in Williston, with venues like the James Memorial Art Center and the Williston Community Library.

Historical Journey Through Williston

History buffs do well here. The city and the country around it hold a number of historic sites that put you back a century or two. Here are the destinations for a historical run through Williston:

Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site

Step back and take the fur trade at the Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site. This site was once a busy hub, where fur traders and Native Americans exchanged goods and ideas. You explore the reconstructed fort and get the daily lives of the settlers and the Assiniboine who lived and worked here. And the museum holds the artifacts uncovered on the site.

Fort Buford State Historic Site

The other military outpost in the area is the Fort Buford State Historic Site. This fort was established in 1866 to protect settlers and travelers along the Upper Missouri River. It played a key part in the conflicts between the United States and Sitting Bull’s Sioux tribe. You tour the guardhouse, the barracks and the other restored buildings. And the museum covers the history of the Northern Plains and the Lewis and Clark Expedition.

Fur Trade and Military Outposts

There is more here than Fort Union and Fort Buford. Other fur trading posts and military outposts in the region are worth the drive, and these sites show the daily lives of the settlers and soldiers who lived and worked here. The notable ones include the Fort Union Trading Post State Historic Site, the Fort Peck Interpretive Center and the Fort Stevenson State Park, though the last two are long drives rather than day trips from Williston.

So grab the sunscreen and the hat and start the historical run through Williston. There is more of it than the map suggests.

Art and Culture in Williston

For something a little more cultured, Williston has it. Here are a couple of places you should check out:

James Memorial Art Center

The James Memorial Art Center is the one for modern art. The collection runs contemporary pieces, with rotating exhibits showing newer artists. And it costs nothing to walk in, so you take as long over it as you like.

Northern Plains Artifacts

If history interests you more than modern art, check out the Northern Plains Artifacts museum. This educational site holds an extensive collection from the Northern Plains region, tools, weapons and clothing from Native American tribes among it. You come out knowing more about the people who were here before the Europeans arrived.

So modern art or ancient artifacts, Williston covers both. And you may leave with a new interest in one of them.

Outdoor Activities in Williston

Looking for outdoor activities in Williston, North Dakota? You are in luck. Williston has the options to keep you moving. Here are the best outdoor activities in Williston.

Missouri-Yellowstone Confluence Interpretive Center

For history, the Missouri-Yellowstone Confluence Interpretive Center is the one to make. This center preserves the history of the area and explains the Missouri and Yellowstone Rivers. You get the Lewis and Clark Expedition, the Native American history and the fur trade that once ran through here. An afternoon covers it.

Boating on the Missouri River

The Missouri River is where the boating and the fishing happen. There are boat ramps through the area, so getting on the water is straightforward. Fishing or simply a leisurely ride, the Missouri River handles both.

Hiking and Geocaching in the Badlands

The Badlands are strange country and they suit hiking and geocaching. The trails run from easy to difficult. You get the views over the Badlands and the Yellowstone River as you walk, though the Badlands proper are a drive south rather than a walk out of town. And there are caches hidden through the area if that is your thing.

So those are the outdoor activities in Williston, North Dakota. History, boating or hiking, Williston covers all three. So get out there and use it.

Two full days does it properly. The first goes to the confluence, where Fort Union, Fort Buford and the interpretive center all sit within a short drive of one another. The second runs south to the Badlands, which is where the walking is. Fill the evenings in town with the breweries and an early night. And fuel up before you leave Williston, because the next station may be a long way down the road.

Family-Friendly Fun in Williston

Looking for family-friendly fun in Williston, ND? You are in luck. There are activities and attractions enough to keep everyone going.

Williston Area Recreation Center

The Williston Area Recreation Center, the ARC, is where the energy goes. There is a spread of activities available in it. Shoot some hoops on the basketball court, climb the rock wall, or get into the pool. And the ARC has a fitness center for the adults while the kids play.

Water Park Adventures

To cool off through the hot summer months, head to Playland. This water park has what a day needs. Water slides, a lazy river and a wave pool. And there is a kiddie area for the little ones.

Train Display at the Old Station

If the family loves trains, the train display at the Old Station is the stop. This historic building holds old trains and railroad memorabilia. You climb aboard some of them and get into the caboose. And it explains the part the railroad played in building Williston.

So getting active, cooling off or learning something new, Williston has the family options. Do not skip them.

Culinary Delights in Williston

On food and drink, Williston has enough. A serious eater or someone simply after a good old-fashioned meal, both are covered. So put on the stretchy pants and work through the best food and drink in North Dakota.

Local Breweries

Beer lovers do well here. Williston has local breweries worth the time. The popular one is the Williston Brewing Company, brewing craft beer on site from IPAs to stouts. And the food runs to burgers, sandwiches and pizzas.

The other brewery to check out is the Bakken Brewing Company. Their taproom is a comfortable place to sit with friends and the selection is good. Take the Bakken Bock, which is rich and malty and suits a chilly North Dakota evening.

Best Places to Eat

With the thirst handled, the food. The best-known place to eat in Williston is The Toasted Frog. This upscale restaurant runs seafood through to steak and most of what sits between. And the Frog Legs are the signature dish, crisp and worth ordering.

For some BBQ, head over to Big Willy’s Saloon & Grill. This casual spot does the best ribs and brisket in town and the sides keep up with them. Take the mac and cheese, which is creamy and rich.

For authentic Mexican cuisine, check out El Sombrero. This family-owned restaurant has been making tacos, burritos and enchiladas for over 30 years. And the homemade salsa is fresh and hot.

Whatever the appetite, Williston has plenty for it. So grab the fork and get on with it.

Accommodation and Services in Williston

Planning a trip to Williston, North Dakota means sorting the bed and knowing what services are around. Here is the run-down of the accommodation and services in Williston:

Where to Stay

Williston has accommodation across the budgets and preferences. A luxurious hotel, a cozy bed and breakfast or a budget-friendly motel, Williston carries all three.

Here are the places to stay in Williston:

Hotel	Amenities
Grand Williston Hotel & Conference Center	Free Wi-Fi, Pool, Gym, Restaurant
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Williston	Free Breakfast, Free Wi-Fi, Pool
Mainstay Suites	Free Breakfast, Free Wi-Fi, Pet-Friendly
Econo Lodge	Free Breakfast, Free Wi-Fi, Pet-Friendly

Services in Williston

Beyond the beds, Williston has a range of services that make a trip easier. Here is what you can expect to find in Williston:

• Tour Guides: If you want to explore the area, there are plenty of tour guides available to show you the best sights and attractions in Williston.
• Lockers: If you need a safe place to store your belongings while you’re out and about, many attractions in Williston offer lockers for rent.
• Gyms: If you want to stay fit while you’re on vacation, there are several gyms in Williston where you can work out.
• Restrooms: Public restrooms can be found in many locations throughout Williston, so you don’t have to worry about finding a bathroom when you need one.

So Williston, North Dakota has plenty for a visitor, from comfortable accommodation through to the services around it. So pack the bags, book the stay, and go and see Williston.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the best way to spend a date night in Williston, ND?

Looking for a romantic night out in Williston? Start with dinner at one of the city’s better restaurants, the Williston Brewing Company or Big Willy’s Saloon & Grill among them. Then head over to the Grand Theatre for a movie or a live performance. And if you want something more adventurous, the Williston Brewing Company’s Axe Throwing Lounge is the odd option that works.

What are some must-attend events in Williston, ND?

Williston runs events across the year. Rodeo people should check the Williston Basin Cowboy Association Rodeo in June. For local culture, the Upper Missouri Valley Fair in July brings live music, carnival rides and food vendors. Classic car people have the annual Bandlands Classic Car Show in August. And in September the Williston Airport hosts the annual Wings and Wheels Fly-In and Car Show.

What are the top attractions near Williston, ND that are worth seeing?

There are attractions near Williston worth the trip. The Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site is the short one, with the fur-trade history laid out properly. For a scenic drive, the Theodore Roosevelt National Park is where the bison and elk are. And for local flavor, the Wildcat Pizzeria and Pub over in Alexander does wood-fired pizza and craft beer.

Frequently asked questions about Williston, North Dakota

Is the Fort Union Trading Post worth the drive out?

It is. And it is more than the word reconstruction suggests to most people. What stands is a full rebuild of the fur-trade post on its original ground, so you walk the same enclosure the traders and the Assiniboine did. The interpretation is unusually good, focused on the trade itself and the people who ran it rather than on the soldiers who came later. Fort Buford sits close by on the same stretch of river road. Do the pair of them in a single run and give the whole morning over to it.

Is the Missouri-Yellowstone Confluence Interpretive Center worth an hour?

Yes. Go before the forts rather than after them, and the whole thing makes more sense. It explains why anything is here at all, which is two rivers meeting and everything that followed from that. Lewis and Clark, the fur trade and the Native American history of the valley are all covered without padding. The view from outside the building is the other half of the visit entirely. An hour does it.

Can you reach Theodore Roosevelt National Park from Williston in a day?

Comfortably, and the north unit is the one you should be aiming for. It is roughly an hour south and considerably quieter than the south unit most people photograph. The scenic drive alone justifies the trip, and the bison are usually visible from the road. Some of the trails run only as far as a short overlook. Others take the whole day and earn it. Take water and fuel, because there is nothing to buy once you are inside.

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