
Every January, The New York Times releases its 52 Places to Go, a curated list of top picks for global travel in the new year selected by an all-star roster of travel writers. Similar to past year’s lists (you can read our coverage of the 2020, 2021, and the 2024 lists here), the 2025 list is a stunner. It features nine notable North American destinations ideal for RV travel! Coming off of the pandemic years and the more recent travel boom, North American destinations are hotter than ever. Exploration is endless, so pack up your tribe and hit the road in your recreational vehicle of choice or rent one when you get there! Before you go, be sure to stock up on RVbyLIFE’s RV care and maintenance products to keep your rig in tip-top shape!
North American destinations
#1 New York City Museums
Number three on this year’s Times’ list, New York City museums are as iconic as yellow taxis but there are some that rise to the top. On your next trip to the Big Apple, pay homage to some of our favorites, including MoMA, the museum of modern art; The Metropolitan Museum of Art; the Guggenheim, and The Whitney Museum of American Art. After touring, be sure to walk the High Line to soak in all the urban sights and sounds from a pleasant garden oasis perched high above the hustle and bustle. Head to the Lower East Side and tour the Tenement Museum for a historical overview of what life was like over 100 years ago for immigrants and migrants to the city. No trip to NYC would be complete without a visit to the American Museum of Natural History, so gather your troops and head to the Upper West Side for an unforgettable experience, from dinosaur bones to butterflies to mammoths, and more!
#2 Greenland
The autonomous territory known as Greenland is technically part of North America, however geopolitically part of the Kingdom of Denmark. It’s citizens, and those of the Faroe Islands, are Danish and therefore European citizens. The topographical makeup of the island is impressive, especially for those seeking remote destinations full of pristine wilderness. More than half of the island is a permanent ice sheet, up to 10,500 feet high at its highest point according to Visit Greenland. Seals, reindeer, Arctic foxes, walruses, narwhals, and more call the island and its chilly waters home. For those interested in hiking, camping, or RVing through Greenland, Visit Greenland has a list of visa requirements for foreigners to reference.
#3 Sun Valley, Idaho
Taking the eighth spot on this year’s list, Sun Valley, Idaho is no stranger to winter sports enthusiasts. Probably most well-known for the resort which bears its name, Sun Valley Resort, the ski town located in central Idaho is steeped in history and culture of the American west. Hemingway fans can visit the nearby Hemingway Memorial park for some quiet time and self-reflection in pristine nature, or for a more urban adventure, take a day trip to Ketchum for museum exploring, shopping, dining, and more. Winter is not the only time to visit, as the region gets over 250 days of sunshine annually. Hiking, biking, fly fishing, and star gazing are some of the many activities that can be enjoyed in the off-season in this high mountain desert oasis.
#4 Asheville, North Carolina
Taking a well-deserved 16th spot on this years’ list, Asheville, North Carolina is a beloved Blue Ridge destination for travelers near and far. Suffering unsurmountable damage and catastrophic flooding during the ravages of Hurricane Helene, Asheville is slowly rebuilding itself and its hard-hit River Arts District. Now, more than ever, this cultural mecca needs visitors to help in its efforts to rebuild. From the famed Biltmore Estate and Biltmore Village, to boutique art galleries, to glass blowing studios, to local shops, restaurants, breweries, and more, Asheville is a tucked away gem of the Blue Ridge Mountains that should be on everyone’s bucket list. In case you missed our coverage, here is our post on how to help Hurricane Helene survivors.
#5 Lexington and Concord, Massachusetts
The cradle of the first battles of the Revolutionary War, Lexington and Concord, Massachusetts take the 23rd spot on this years’ list. At midnight on April 19th, 1775, legendary Paul Revere rode on horseback from Boston to the town of Lexington shouting that “the regulars are coming out!” to warm Samuel Adams and John Hancock that the British army were prepared to march. On the 250th anniversary of the famous ride and the first battles of the Revolutionary War, the charming colonial towns of Lexington and Concord are on the radar for hot places to visit this year. While there, be sure to check out the Minute Man National Park to view where the first battles took place and catch a historical reenactment if you can.
#6 New Orleans, Louisiana
It comes as little surprise that New Orleans makes the list holding the 27th spot. There is nothing cheesy about the Big Easy as nightlife, dining, music, and culture combined, falling in love with New Orleans is easy. The tourism group New Orleans & Company offers a plethora of ideas for things to do while planning your trip. Some not-to-be-missed highlights include a bike ride down Bourbon Street in the French Quarter, a leisure stroll through Jackson Square followed by beignets from iconic Café du Monde, slurping down some oysters while grooving to live jazz, and checking out the many galleries and boutiques on offer. New Orleans offers something for everyone, no matter what the age.
#7 Detroit, Michigan
Motor City makes the list at spot 39 and it is not a destination to look over as its once-decaying downtown is experiencing a mini renaissance. Situated on the Detroit River just across the border from Windsor, Canada, Detroit which was once a stopover en route to the casinos across the bridge on the Canadian side, the city is stepping in to its own. The Times’ mentioned the newest addition to the city’s skyline – a 1.5-mile suspension bridge aptly named the Gordie Howe International Bridge after the legendary hockey player and Red Wings champion, which will be the longest of its kind in North America upon completion this fall.
#8 Trent-Severn Waterway, Ontario
Connecting Lake Ontario to the Georgian Bay, a 120-mile long body of water located in Ontario just above Lake Huron, the Trent-Severn Waterway Historic Site is approximately 240 miles long. Operated and maintained by Parks Canada, the Canadian national park system, the waterway is a series of locks and trails that first opened to the public in 1922. Don’t miss the visitors center at the Peterborough Lift Lock, considered the tallest hydraulic lift lock in the world.
#9 Washington, D.C.
Last but certainly not least, our nation’s capital claims spot 43 on this year’s list and for good reason. With so much to see and do, there is no question that Washington, D.C. makes for a great road trip destination. From visiting monuments, to walking the galleries at one of the 17 area Smithsonian museums and zoos, to eating your way through the city’s lavish restaurants, D.C. offers a culture-filled destination for all travelers. Plan your trip accordingly and catch the National Cherry Blossom Festival March 20 through April 13, 2025 where the district’s over 3,000 cherry blossom trees are on full display. If you can’t make it during the festival, you can watch the blooming activity on the BloomCam from afar!
Got any North American destinations you would like to add to this list? Leave a comment below!