For our annual Best of the World list, National Geographic’s global network of editors, writers, photographers, and explorers shares their top picks for must-visit museums, festivals, and cultural hotspots this year. From Morocco to Mongolia and New Orleans to New Zealand, these destinations pull you into rich traditions, vibrant communities, and fascinating history—and leave you eager to explore even more.
U.S. & Canada
Folger Shakespeare Library, Washington, D.C.
Shakespeare fans will find the world’s largest collection of Shakespeareana here, with the museum and library reopening in June. Nestled in D.C.’s Capitol Hill neighborhood, the Folger boasts more First Folios—the rare 1623 compilation of Shakespeare’s plays—than anywhere else (82, to be exact). An Elizabethan-style stage showcases both timeless and modern works (like Mohegan playwright-performer Madeline Sayet’s Where We Belong, running February 15 to March 10). Newly accessible entrances lead to interactive exhibits and a garden filled with rosemary, lavender, and other plants mentioned in Shakespeare’s works.
National WWII Museum, New Orleans, Louisiana
The museum’s new Liberation Pavilion—its final permanent exhibit—zeroes in on the war’s end, the Holocaust, and postwar recovery. Visitors can step into recreations of Anne Frank’s secret annex in Amsterdam or a salt mine where the Monuments Men and Women recovered art stolen by the Nazis. Michael Bell, an executive director at the museum’s Institute for War and Democracy, hopes guests leave with a deeper appreciation for “the immense human sacrifices that paved the way for peace and postwar prosperity.”
NorEste Trail, Puerto Rico
An hour east of San Juan, this trail lets hikers “explore a rainforest, stand atop a misty peak, and hit the beach—all in one day,” says El Yunque forest supervisor Keenan Adams. Groups like Love in Motion connect trekkers with local culture through wellness experiences and family-run food stalls along the 40-mile route.
Canadian Canoe Museum, Ontario, Canada
What’s the best part of visiting the world’s largest collection of canoes and kayaks? You can paddle right up to it. The sleek, boat-shaped museum—opening in May—sits lakeside in Peterborough (about 80 miles from Toronto). After marveling at 600+ watercraft or learning paddle-carving from Anishinaabe artists, visitors can launch from the dock for a group boat tour of Little Lake.
Caribbean
Molinere Underwater Sculpture Park, Grenada
Snorkelers and divers here might spot green and hawksbill turtles or neon tangs—but also La Diablesse and Mama Glo, Caribbean folklore figures now part of the underwater gallery. These 31 new sculptures, made of stainless steel and marine cement, range from eerie to whimsical. The older pieces, dating back to 2006, are now encrusted with corals and sponges.
Liamuiga Natural Farms, St. Kitts
On Phillips Mountain, the Kelly and Mike families serve dishes like fig chips, saltfish, pickled turmeric, and homemade coffee ice cream. “You’re not just a guest,” says co-owner Tiffany Mike. “You’re part of our mission to preserve the environment, uphold Kittitian traditions, and build a sustainable future.”
Mexico & Central and South America
Islas Marías, Nayarit, Mexico
Visitors take a ferry from San Blas or Mazatlán to María Madre Island, staying in renovated prisoner housing (think simple apartments, not jail cells). Activities include biking, beach trips, and spotting the endemic Tres Marías amazon parrot.
FotoFestival Manzana 1, Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia
Running November 20–24, this festival offers a chance to “discover Bolivia’s unknown side,” says director Ejti Stih. The event draws photographers and enthusiasts for talks, workshops, and exhibits in a former police HQ turned cultural hub. The main exhibit—200+ photo reportage works—stays up for two-and-a-half months.