Billings (MT) February 5, 2025 – Billings was built from that bold Montana spirit - people who embrace pure, unencumbered Montana. This spring, discover why Billings says: No climb is too steep. No trail is too rocky. No burger is too juicy. The city is expanding rapidly with new attractions, hotels and restaurants - but staying true to our roots is more important than fitting in. Billings: authentic Montana since 1882. 

More Ways to Arrive
Billings Logan International Airport will begin welcoming seasonal direct flights to Chicago O’Hare International Airport by United Airlines. The new service will provide passengers with a direct connection to one of the country's busiest and most connected airports, offering enhanced access to domestic and international destinations. The new United Airlines flights from Billings to O’Hare will begin on May 22, 2025 and extend through October 25, 2025. This new service

Discover Noctourism in Billings - Booking.com Names it a Top Travel Trend for 2025
“Noctourism”is a trend that focuses on nighttime travel experiences. Booking.com named it a top travel trend for 2025, according to CNBC, “describing it as a desire to ‘ditch the daylight crowds for midnight magic.’ A global survey of more than 27,000 travelers showed nearly two in three travelers said they have considered “darker sky destinations” for activities such as stargazing (72%), once-in-a-lifetime cosmic events (59%) and constellation tracking (57%).” The Billings region is your destination for dark sky and noctourism. Two of the best spots for breathtaking night skies are Acton Recreation Area and Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area. Located just 25 minutes northwest of Billings, Acton Recreation Area’s tall ponderosa pine trees set against sandstone and shale make a truly stunning backdrop for stargazing.

More Space to Meet & Compete
The Billings Hotel and Convention Center recently completed an expansion and remodel that adds an additional 15,000 square feet of space with 2,000 theatre seats and 1,200 more for banquet dinners. The remodel also includes state-of-the-art audio-visual equipment from AVI systems, able to live stream record. Finally, the addition of new 18-foot-high ceilings allow for additional sports events, such as gymnastics and volleyball, to take place in the facility.

Chef Nick Steen Gullings Earns Another James Beard Nomination
The foodie world is taking note, as Chef Nick Steen Gullings was nominated as a James Beard Award “Best Chef” semi-finalist for a third time. Steen Gullings owns Walkers Grill, a crown jewel of the Billings culinary scene thanks to the ambience and flavor cooked up in Chef Steen Gullings’ kitchen. Steen Gullings is elevating the Montana culinary landscape by offering classic favorites with flair, like strip steak and meatloaf, alongside more adventurous dishes like branzino and apple-brined pork shank.

It’s Roasted has a New Home
Chef Celeste Rocha is renowned for her birria – beef marinated in an adobo sauce and slow cooked in broth. Chef Rocha and her partner, Gabriel Espino, moved to Montana in 2016 from Central California and started It’s Roasted in 2020, where they serve Mexican street food such as elote Mexican street corn and Mexican-style loaded potatoes. Their fresh marinated quesabirria tacos are now easier to indulge in at It’s Roasted’s new brick-and-mortar take-out location on 12th Street West. The couple strongly believe food creates bonds and those traditional dishes are the best way to share and understand each other’s culture.

Hang Onto Your Boots - PBR is one of the fastest-growing sports in America
Experience the electrifying adrenaline rush of PBR Billings. Witness world-class athletes going head-to-head with powerful bucking bulls at this must-see competition. PBR Billings takes place April 11-12 at MetraPark’s First Interstate Arena. PBR was founded in 1992 by a group of 20 visionary bull riders who broke away from the traditional rodeo scene, believing that bull riding deserved to be in the limelight and could succeed as a standalone sport. Since then, PBR has rapidly transformed into one of the fastest-growing sports in America.

Discover Noctourism in Billings - Booking.com Names it a Top Travel Trend for 2025
“Noctourism”is a trend that focuses on nighttime travel experiences. Booking.com named it a top travel trend for 2025, according to CNBC, “describing it as a desire to ‘ditch the daylight crowds for midnight magic.’ A global survey of more than 27,000 travelers showed nearly two in three travelers said they have considered “darker sky destinations” for activities such as stargazing (72%), once-in-a-lifetime cosmic events (59%) and constellation tracking (57%).” The Billings region is your destination for dark sky and noctourism. Two of the best spots for breathtaking night skies are Acton Recreation Area and Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area. Located just 25 minutes northwest of Billings, Acton Recreation Area’s tall ponderosa pine trees set against sandstone and shale make a truly stunning backdrop for stargazing.

The Billings Brew Trail Got A Little Longer
Already home to nine breweries, three distilleries, a winery and a cider mill, the Billings Brew Trail was marked with plenty of opportunities to enjoy delicious craft beverages. Now there’s even more for thirst hikers to enjoy with two new stops along the trail. Stop in at 1889 Brewing Company to fill your pints, growlers and crowlers with fruity wheat ales, single-hop IPAs and more. Also check out 1Ō5 Brewing in The Heights, where there’s always something fresh on tap, from hop-forward IPAs to smooth stouts and crisp lagers.

The Show Must Go On at Craft Local
Originally set to close its doors after years as one of Billings’ most beloved bars and entertainment venues, Craft Local will remain open under new leadership. New general manager and Billings local Brad Zoller is expanding on the entertainment lineup to include weekly open mic nights, jazz and blues jams and other more community-oriented shows. Craft Local is at 2501 Montana Ave., housed in the bottom floor of the Hotel Carlin, a building that’s been at the heartbeat of Billings for over a century.