In traditional models of molecular and cellular biology, RNA has been limited to primarily intracellular function in mammalian cells, and has only been subject to chemically simple post-transcriptional modifications. Recent advances have identified an isoform of RNA that challenges this model in two major ways: by expanding its domain to the mammalian cell surface, and identifying it as a target for glycosylation. This isoform, termed glycoRNA, has elevated the nucleic acid from an enzymatic biopolymer to a potential cell signaling molecule with implications for human disease phenotypes. In this review, we summarize the key features of glycoRNA and explore early studies as to its cellular role. We also collate information on glycoRNA-expressing cell lines and high-confidence glycosylated transcripts, providing several resources to assist future studies. Finally, we highlight the important challenges and next steps to characterize this novel glycoconjugate.