Williston (North Dakota) Travel Guide — Things to Do, Food & Hotels
city in and the county seat of Williams County, North Dakota, United States of America
About Williston (North Dakota)
Williston was founded as a Northern Pacific Railroad stop in 1887 and named for Daniel Willis James. It was chosen over the nearby town of Buford as the site of a turntable which led to its early growth. In 1951, oil was first discovered in the Williston Basin. Williston experienced rapid growth during its first oil boom in the 1980s. After the boom died down, the population shrank to about 13,000. Geologists have discovered 4.3 billion barrels of recoverable oil in the Bakken Formation. The Three Forks Salish Formation also contains recoverable oil. With these discoveries, Williston experienced another oil boom and rapidly increased in size. While the rest of the country remained in a recession, Williston boasted a strong economy, one of the lowest unemployment rates in the nation
Top Attractions in Williston (North Dakota)
Explore the best things to see and do in Williston (North Dakota):
- ★78th Annual Band Day
- ★Cottonwood Lake
- ★Cut Bluff Overlook
- ★Eagle Ridge Golf Course
- ★Fort Buford Historic Site
- ★Grand Theatre
- ★Knife River Indian Villages
- ★Lewis and Clark State Park
Where to Eat in Williston (North Dakota)
Must-try local food and restaurants:
- 🍴Airport International Inn
- 🍴Burger Queen & Pizza
- 🍴Castle Cafe
- 🍴China Sun
- 🍴Courthouse Cafe
- 🍴Dakota Family Farms
Where to Stay in Williston (North Dakota)
- 🏨Best Value Inn
- 🏨Country Garden Bed & Breakfast
- 🏨El Rancho Motor Hotel
- 🏨Marquis Plaza and Suites
- 🏨Super 8 Lodge
- 🏨The Vegas
Williston (North Dakota) Travel Guide Sections
Our comprehensive guide covers 11 sections including: