Essential Fall Activities Near RIT

As a graduate student at RIT, life often feels like a mix of assignments, projects, and late-night study sessions. But now and then, I find myself craving a pause, a chance to step away from the glowing screens and immerse myself in something real, seasonal, and grounding. That’s precisely what my visit to Wickham Farms gave me in upstate New York, wrapped in apples, pumpkins, and crisp fall air.

Coming from Mumbai, India, where seasons are defined more by monsoons and heat than by falling leaves and harvest festivals, this experience felt magical. In Mumbai, September means humidity and the tail end of Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations. Here in Rochester, September means apple orchards, pumpkin patches, and the golden glow of fall.

Apple Picking: A First Taste of Fall

The heart of Wickham Farms is its apple orchards. Walking between the rows of trees heavy with fruit, I felt like I had stepped into a postcard.

Some trees were bursting with ripe red apples, while others carried signs reminding us to wait until the fruit was ready. I couldn’t resist filling up bags with Honeycrisp and McIntosh.

Back in Mumbai, apples are something you buy at the market, often imported, polished, and stacked neatly in wooden crates. Here, I was plucking them straight from the branch. It was a small reminder of how geography shapes our relationship with food.

Pumpkins, Hay, and Harvest Magic

If apples are the taste of fall, pumpkins are its symbol. Wickham Farms had them everywhere, lined up in rows, stacked in wheelbarrows, and even arranged into displays.

I couldn’t help but smile at the giant inflatable jack-o’-lantern towering over the cornfield, a playful reminder that Halloween was just around the corner.

In Mumbai, the closest equivalent might be the colorful pandals and idols during festivals, seasonal symbols that transform ordinary spaces into something extraordinary. Just like pumpkins here, they carry a sense of community, tradition, and joy.

Fun at the Farm

Beyond apples and pumpkins, Wickham Farms is a place of gathering. Families picnicked on wooden benches, kids raced down giant slides, and couples posed for photos against rustic backdrops.

I joined in the fun too, munching on fresh kettle corn and soaking in the atmosphere. I loved its taste. It reminded me of the fairs and melas back home in India, where food, laughter, and community come together in open spaces: different flavors, different traditions, but the same spirit of celebration.

Wickham Farms stood like a centerpiece, proudly declaring: “Traditions Start Here.” And it’s true, whether it’s families returning year after year, or international students like me experiencing fall, the farm becomes a place where memories are made.

Closing Thoughts

As I carried home bags of apples, I realized that Wickham Farms had given me more than just a seasonal outing; it had given me a lasting memory. It gave me perspective.

In Mumbai, the rhythm of life is marked by monsoons, festivals, and the constant hum of the city. In Rochester, fall is marked by orchards, pumpkins, and the quiet beauty of changing leaves. Both are beautiful in their own way, and as an RIT graduate student, I feel lucky to have experienced both.

Wickham Farms wasn’t just a farm visit; it was a reminder that no matter where we are, seasons have a way of grounding us, connecting us, and giving us stories to carry forward.