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I'm considering spending the summer in Western North Dakota and can stay in either Williston, Watford City, or Dickinson. A couple, we'll be staying in an extended stay hotel type situation.That said, I could use some advice about the pros and cons of each place?
Things that interest us are having access to a quality grocery store, scenic day drives 100-200 miles, casino slot machine gambling, lower end dining out like Subway, McDonald's etc., and possibly some walking areas geared for older folks in city park type stuff. Another consideration is being in a safe area where it's unlikely our vehicle will get broken into or we'll get robbed, etc. We're not knowledgeable about ND, so if any of these areas are plagued with air quality issues, etc., please inform on that stuff too. Other than those things, we'll just be watching TV and surfing the web.
Research says typical high on a summer day is 85 degrees. Which sounds like a dream compared to Southern Nevada temperatures.
Fargo is on the table too, but seems a lot pricier.
Coming up north to escape the blistering desert heat way down south.
Those are all heavily oilfield-related areas of ND. You’ll likely encounter many people and see equipment affiliated with oilfield work in these places.
Overall, my vote would go to Dickinson. It has a at least a couple of those extended-stay type places there, and several fast food restaurants. It is also right on I-94, and closest to the ND badlands and national parks. Watford City and Williston are many more miles away. Really not much to do or see in Watford City or Williston.
Those are all heavily oilfield-related areas of ND. You’ll likely encounter many people and see equipment affiliated with oilfield work in these places.
Overall, my vote would go to Dickinson. It has a at least a couple of those extended-stay type places there, and several fast food restaurants. It is also right on I-94, and closest to the ND badlands and national parks. Watford City and Williston are many more miles away. Really not much to do or see in Watford City or Williston.
Thanks for the response. From what I've read so far, I agree that Dickinson is looking the best, especially in regards to being a jump off point for scenic drives. I'm currently rating Williston as the second choice.
We'll be in a sports car with fairly low profile tires, so can anyone comment on the shape of the roads in the area? Is it pothole city or are they fairly well maintained?
We'll be in a sports car with fairly low profile tires, so can anyone comment on the shape of the roads in the area? Is it pothole city or are they fairly well maintained?
The last time I was in Dickinson(2012), primary and secondary roads were in good shape. Briefly drove through Watford City and Williston around the same time, main roads(primary and secondary) were also in good shape. Definitely stay off those oilfield back country leased roads(those are mostly gravel and dirt).
Your looking at the oil patch area of ND. I’ve been to all those towns and like was mentioned, go to Dickinson. Funny story. I was in Dickinson this February and it was -10 when I left in the morning. As I was leaving the motel parking lot my windshield broke from the cold. Cost me $350 to repair. Typical ND problems.
Your looking at the oil patch area of ND. I’ve been to all those towns and like was mentioned, go to Dickinson. Funny story. I was in Dickinson this February and it was -10 when I left in the morning. As I was leaving the motel parking lot my windshield broke from the cold. Cost me $350 to repair. Typical ND problems.
Thanks for the info. Yes, we're aware that it's oil patch country. Not turned off by that other than the potential air pollution.
We plan to depart around late September, so we're "assuming" that the really cold weather won't be an issue by then. Really cold defined as snow and icy roads.
Nothing funny about a $350 windshield repair, but it does conjure up possible broken windshield and other rock/projectile damage to our vehicle with what appears to be high truck traffic in these areas.
Honestly, it's just going to be a very sedate stay. Grab a breakfast sandwich at Mickey D's in the mornings. Get our food mainly in grocery stores like a Super Walmart, cook and eat it in our hotel room for the other daily meals. Go for walks in a local park in the evening. An occasional scenic drive in the Badlands and outlying areas. Blow a little money in the casinos playing slots. And otherwise spend our days dabbling with writing projects, surfing the web and watching TV. Not a high bar to keep us occupied.
The number one goal is escaping the blistering summer desert heat at our home base and getting a much-needed diversion.
Thanks for the info. Yes, we're aware that it's oil patch country. Not turned off by that other than the potential air pollution.
We plan to depart around late September, so we're "assuming" that the really cold weather won't be an issue by then. Really cold defined as snow and icy roads.
Nothing funny about a $350 windshield repair, but it does conjure up possible broken windshield and other rock/projectile damage to our vehicle with what appears to be high truck traffic in these areas.
Honestly, it's just going to be a very sedate stay. Grab a breakfast sandwich at Mickey D's in the mornings. Get our food mainly in grocery stores like a Super Walmart, cook and eat it in our hotel room for the other daily meals. Go for walks in a local park in the evening. An occasional scenic drive in the Badlands and outlying areas. Blow a little money in the casinos playing slots. And otherwise spend our days dabbling with writing projects, surfing the web and watching TV. Not a high bar to keep us occupied.
The number one goal is escaping the blistering summer desert heat at our home base and getting a much-needed diversion.
Your assumption is wrong if the criteria you're using is snow and icy roads. In that part of the country it can easily dip below freezing during the end of Sept. and first of October. It usually won't get bitter cold then, but the conditions that you've mentioned are often there that time of year.
DEFINITELY go to Dickinson and take a swing down towards Bowman. That's wide open cowboy country. Really cool unless you're there during the dead of winter. There isn't anything special at the other 2 towns you mentioned other that oil, oil, and more oil.
Your assumption is wrong if the criteria you're using is snow and icy roads. In that part of the country it can easily dip below freezing during the end of Sept. and first of October. It usually won't get bitter cold then, but the conditions that you've mentioned are often there that time of year.
DEFINITELY go to Dickinson and take a swing down towards Bowman. That's wide open cowboy country. Really cool unless you're there during the dead of winter. There isn't anything special at the other 2 towns you mentioned other that oil, oil, and more oil.
Great feedback, JJGG. Just what I needed to hear for a reality check, and we've now planned accordingly for the early winter up there.
Decided to break up the stay. A month up north in Williston to explore that area, where hotel rates are cheaper. Then a month in Dickinson to roam those parts too. After that, we're going to make our way East for some mountain and Fall forest time on the East Coast.
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