Things to do in Downtown Williston, ND
Known as one of North Dakota’s hidden gems, the growing city of Williston is built around cherished restaurants, exciting entertainment venues, stunning landscapes, and a strong sense of community. The Reserve at Elk Crossing, located on the northwest corner of town, provides residents with easy access to all the exciting opportunities that Williston has to offer. Read on to discover our team’s favorite restaurants and activities in the area.
Top 5 Restaurants in Williston, ND
Gramma Sharon's Family Restaurant
Nothing hits the spot quite like an old-fashioned American breakfast. You know the one— sunny side up eggs, thick sliced bacon, crispy hashbrowns, and a side of buttered toast. Gramma Sharon’s Family Restaurant is a local favorite specializing in classic breakfast and lunch items that are served inside a cozy setting. The most noteworthy favorites include the ham & cheese omelet, the pancakes, the French toast, the chicken sandwich, and the bacon cheeseburger. Best of all, Gramma Sharon’s is just a short five-minute drive from The Reserve at Elk Crossing.
Sakura Sushi & Hibachi
Hibachi is the Japanese culinary experience where great food and entertainment collide, an opportunity for patrons to witness the making of their meal from start to finish. At Sakura Sushi & Hibachi, visitors can choose between meat, seafood, and veggies as they watch a chef expertly prepare their dish on the grill at the center of the table. Sushi lovers also have an extensive menu to browse through, including a long list of specialty rolls. Customers also highlight the beautiful décor and giant Buddha statue at the center of the restaurant. Sakura Sushi & Hibachi is an experience for all the senses.
Star Thai Cuisine
One of Williston’s most highly rated restaurants, Star Thai Cuisine is known as the city’s go-to for Thai food. Serving dishes like pad Thai, pad see ew, tom kha soup, and a variety of tasty curries, this eatery drops patrons directly into Thai culture. The menu also takes some geographical leaps into Chinese (egg drop soup, kung pao chicken, chow mein), Japanese (shrimp tempura), and Mongolian (Mongolian stir fry) cuisine. Located in the heart of downtown Williston, Star Thai Cuisine is easy to get to from every part of town and only ten minutes from the Elk Crossing community. Authentic, homemade Thai food is waiting for you at Star Thai Cuisine.
True North
Williston may be far from the sunlit shores of Hawaii, but True North has brought the spirit of Aloha to the Peace Garden State. The menu is centered around specialty pizzas like the “Meat Lover,” the “Jalapeno Popper,” and the “Margherita.” Of course, many of their creations feature the signature ingredient of Hawaiian pizza— pineapple. There is a playful back and forth surrounding the ‘pineapple on pizza’ debate, but True North's “Hawaiian Punch,” made with Canadian bacon, pineapple, jalapeno, and BBQ sauce, or “Maui Wowie” pizza prepared with teriyaki chicken, pineapple, and red onion will turn the biggest skeptic into a firm ‘pineapple on pizza’ believer.
River's Edge Bar & Grill
Located on the west side of downtown, just eight minutes from The Reserve at Elk Crossing, River’s Edge Bar & Grill is Williston’s go-to sports bar, complete with burgers, wings, cold beer, and fifteen large screen televisions to track all of the biggest games. The menu highlights include the farm burger topped with bacon, thinly sliced ham, chipotle mayo, and a fried egg, the 14oz ribeye steak, and the grown-up-style grilled cheese made with ham, mozzarella, and a side of tomato bisque. Best of all, River’s Edge Bar & Grill is a veteran owned restaurant— that means eating here is a win for both you and the community at large.
Top 5 Activities in Williston, ND
.jpg)
The community recreation center is often one of the key nuclei in a city, a place where residents of all ages can gather for sport, wellness, and community events. The Williston Area Recreation Center is no different, playing a vital role for both the town and region. The center features an impressive list of amenities including an indoor water park, fully equipped gym, 4 basketball courts, 4 indoor tennis courts, lap swimming, group fitness classrooms, a 200-meter racetrack, and so much more. Indeed, the Williston Area Recreation Center was developed on a grand scale with the mission to promote health, wellness, and the spirit of togetherness.
The mighty Missouri River, one of our nation's most storied waterways, flows directly south of Williston, converging with the Yellowstone River only thirty minutes southwest of the city. First opened in 2003, the Missouri-Yellowstone Confluence Interpretive Center was built to celebrate the history, geography, and geology of this site. Like other major confluences, the meeting point of the Missouri-Yellowstone served as a fulcrum for trade and economic activity with both Native Americans and frontiersmen (Meriwether Louis & William Clark included). The Confluence Interpretive Center features exhibits that bring all of this colorful history to life.
The Williston Municipal Golf Course is the heart of the local golf scene. Spread across hundreds of acres just north of the city, the 18-hole course boasts long, well-maintained fairways, pristine landscaping, and a diversity of landscape features that turn every game into a rewarding experience for visitors of all ages. The course offers daily rates as well as membership options for golfers that are committed to playing frequently and working on their game. Lucky for residents of The Reserve at Elk Crossing, the Williston Municipal Golf Course is just a short five-minute drive from the community.
Imagine yourself zooming through the outskirts of Williston, leaning through the sharp turns, and hitting the gas pedal on straight aways. This is just a taste of the experience at Thunder Valley Go Karts, Williston’s top-rated go kart facility. The outdoor racetrack is lined with tires, forming a protective barrier between the asphalt and the grass. This provides drivers with a clear lookahead of the course’s various twists and turns. Thunder Valley Go Karts is also the perfect place for birthdays, private parties, and other gatherings.
Featuring wall to wall trampolines, a rock-climbing wall, dodgeball ball, bumper cars, and a full arcade, this 25,000 square foot facility is built for good times. The majority of games are centered around a grid of trampolines that are ideal for bounce-infused versions of basketball, dodgeball, and freestyle trampolining. Safari Trampoline also has a ninja course that tests your athleticism through a series of challenging obstacles. One thing’s certain— visitors of all ages will have no shortage of exciting activities to choose from.