Hi Reader,

Remember when I told you about the experience gift we gave our kids this Christmas — a winter weekend in New York City?

Well, we’re back… and it turns out we accidentally planned a STEM trip.

There were no worksheets.

No schedules packed down to the minute.

No one saying, “Okay kids, now observe the engineering.”

And yet, learning showed up everywhere.

We took the train instead of driving.

We walked miles instead of hopping in cabs.

We noticed design, structure, and storytelling all around us — from the engineering inside the Statue of Liberty to the geometry of cathedral ceilings and the quiet magic of secondhand books at The Strand.

Somewhere between ferry rides, museums, and looking way up at skyscrapers, we were reminded of something important:

The best learning often happens when we slow down enough to notice.

This NYC weekend started as an experience gift and turned into one of those trips that sticks with you — long after you’re home and unpacking.

I shared our full recap on the blog, including what we did, what we noticed, and how this city became an unexpected outdoor classroom for our kids:

👉 Read: A Thoughtfully Sustainable Weekend in New York City​

If you’re planning family travel this year (or just looking for ways to make everyday adventures more meaningful), I hope it gives you a few ideas — and maybe permission to loosen the plan a bit.

As always, thank you for reading, exploring, and learning alongside us.

— Jessica

Founder of Thoughtfully Sustainable​
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PS: Before the trip, we gifted our kids a few books about NYC. Seeing them recognize places and make connections along the way was a simple reminder of how much a good book can deepen an experience.

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