Exciting news from Billings Logan International Airport.

Sun Country Airlines will begin offering direct flights from Billings to Minneapolis in June 2024. The seasonal flights will be twice a week (Wednesday and Saturday) through August 24, according to Q2.

KARE11 TV shared that the Minneapolis-based budget carrier is adding a total of 10 new seasonal flight destinations including Missoula, Billings, and Boise. Sun Country serves a ton of markets from Minneapolis, as you can see in the image below.

Credit Sun Country Airline
Credit Sun Country Airline
loading...

More affordable flights from Billings are always welcomed.

Most of us have probably driven to Bozeman to get a substantially cheaper flight than from Billings. The addition of the new Sun Country flights to Minneapolis will be a welcome addition for Billings travelers looking for affordable flights to a major hub.

Minnesota is a fun state to visit.

Lots of Montanans have roots in the Midwest. Ask ten of your friends if they have a connection to IA, MN, ND, or WI and I bet many of them do. While Minnesota can be a drag in the winter (it's brutal) there are so many things to do in Minnesota that we might have to book one of those cheap Sun Country flights next summer.

Target Field. Photo by Hannah Foslien /Getty Images
Target Field. Photo by Hannah Foslien /Getty Images
loading...

Go to a Twins Game.

Hate the Twins? Then go see your team when they play the Twins. Target Field is such a fun place to catch a baseball game.

St Paul riverfront. Credit Canva
St Paul riverfront. Credit Canva
loading...

Take a boat ride in St. Paul

Our family did this a few years ago and it was so much fun. Some of the boats have "dinner and a cruise" packages, while others have more of a party atmosphere with a full bars, music, and good times.

Canva
Canva
loading...

Watch the Vikings at training camp.

Unfortunately for Vikings fans, Sun Country's new flights to MN do not run during regular season NFL. BUT... if you're a lifelong Vikings fan, you can catch some of their training camps in August. They're fun to watch and many of the players are quite accommodating for autographs.

Mall of America. Photo by Mark Erickson/Getty Images
Mall of America. Photo by Mark Erickson/Getty Images
loading...

Shop till you drop at the Mall of America.

With over 500 stores spread over a whopping 4.2 million square feet, the Mall of America is the largest in the US. Around 40 million people visit annually. You could do your back-to-school shopping next summer in Minneapolis.

Spam. Photo by David McNew/Getty Images
Spam. Photo by David McNew/Getty Images
loading...

Get Spammed!

The Midwest is full of interesting tourist attractions and travel oddities. The Spam Museum in Austin, MN is a prime example. It's not some rinky-dink display, either. It's a full-blown museum, with restaurants, a huge gift shop, and a celebration of all things Spam.

Canva
Canva
loading...

Visit the Minnesota Children's Museum

If you have kids, this is a must-do in the Twin Cities. Located in St. Paul, the enormous, three-story museum is full of hands-on, interactive displays and activities. We spent an afternoon here before we went on the boat ride in St. Paul.

Plenty of spots for kayaking in MN. Credit Canva
Plenty of spots for kayaking in MN. Credit Canva
loading...

Rent a lakeside cabin.

Can you really visit the Land of 10,000 Lakes and NOT visit a lake? No.

Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images
Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images
loading...

Chill at Paisley Park.

Fans of Prince will want to stop by Paisley Park. The museum writes, "Paisley Park is a place where art, music, fashion, and culture are celebrated and inspired by the visionary creative spirit of Prince." It's open five days a week for tours, concerts, exhibits, and other events.

Canva
Canva
loading...

Go to Duluth.

If you've never been to one of the Great Lakes, do it. The scenery is awesome and  Lake Superior is gorgeous. You'll feel like you're at the ocean, albeit a chilly swim if you decide to take a dip.

The 25 Best Places to Live in Minnesota

Stacker compiled a list of the best places to live in Minnesota using data from Niche. Niche ranks places to live based on a variety of factors including cost of living, schools, health care, recreation, and weather. Cities, suburbs, and towns were included. Listings and images are from realtor.com.

On the list, there's a robust mix of offerings from great schools and nightlife to high walkability and public parks. Some areas have enjoyed rapid growth thanks to new businesses moving to the area, while others offer glimpses into area history with well-preserved architecture and museums. Keep reading to see if your hometown made the list.