Rediscovering Rochester: Living Like a Tourist Again

I recently finished up “finals” week of my second semester at RIT. I remember how challenging the first semester was — and I’m sure it felt the same for many first-year students, especially international students. After a 30-hour flight from Cambodia to Rochester, I had to start from scratch: getting furniture for my unfurnished, off-campus apartment, figuring out the bus and transportation systems, and navigating the academic systems and technologies at school. It was quite a ride for someone who packed their life into two suitcases and one carry-on, moving thousands of miles away to chase their academic and professional dreams. I even remember that buying a sandwich at Subway felt like an ordeal — like, why can’t you just give me a meal instead of asking what type of bread, meat, cheese, vegetables, and sauce I wanted?

On a brighter note, every single day was a new learning experience. Everything was new. It was full of “firsts” — my first snow, my first hockey game, my first time snowboarding. Living life like a tourist is precious because your capacity to learn and grow feels limitless, and that’s why I truly believe every student should go on at least one exchange program. It’s just such a valuable experience.

But eventually, the excitement fades. I stopped checking Google Maps every time I took the bus. I no longer needed to check my calendar to find which classroom I was supposed to be in. The more familiar we become with something, the more shortcuts our brain takes — it’s just human nature.

Reflecting on this made me realize how much beauty I had started to overlook, simply because I had grown so used to my surroundings in Rochester. Then, after a long winter, Spring finally arrived. I felt that “tourist spirit” rekindling inside me — that urge to keep observing, learning, and seeing things with a fresh, curious lens. When I saw Highland Park on Instagram, I thought, there’s no way it’s that beautiful with all the flowers blooming and stunning picnic spots. At that time, most of the campus hadn’t even started blooming yet. But I decided to give it a shot. It was just 10 minutes away on the public 41 bus.

And honestly, saying I was blown away would be an understatement. The views and natural vibes at the park were absolutely magical. It’s the perfect place for a nature walk, a picnic, reading a book under the sun, doing yoga with friends — the list goes on. 

If you love photography, the stunning natural landscapes there are a dream. Highland Park has now become my favorite place in Rochester, but I’ll keep my eyes open — maybe I’ll find another place that could steal that top spot.

My point is: beauty is always there if you choose to look for it. So if you want to start living like a “tourist” too, here are a few places and activities I highly recommend:

Attend the Rochester Lilac Festival at Highland Park

Every city has its own signature, and Rochester’s Spring signature is lilacs — celebrated through the Lilac Festival. The festival just wrapped up its 127th year in May. The festival is the perfect blend of entertainment, music, flower celebrations, and food. There’s also the Lilac 5K/10K and Donut Dash, the vibrant Lilac Parade, guided walking tours, a farmers' market, and the award-winning Art in the Park art show. You can find more details on the official Rochester Lilac Festival page.

Hike with friends at Watkins Glen or Letchworth Park

Upstate New York is a paradise for nature lovers and hikers like me. Rochester is conveniently close to some of the best hiking trails. Two places I’ve been to and absolutely loved are Watkins Glen and Letchworth Park. If you visit Watkins Glen or the Finger Lakes region, I highly recommend stopping by a vineyard for some wine tasting — it’s only a little over $20 per person! (Just a note: you must be of legal drinking age and bring your ID.)

No car? No problem!

If you don't have a car — which is often the case for international students — check out the RIT Outing Club. They often organize hiking trips that you can join!

Shop at the Farmers’ Market

As RIT students, we tend to frequent Walmart, Wegmans, and Target. But I’ve always wanted to buy fresh produce directly from farmers and connect more with the Rochester community. Plus, you might find unique and affordable items you can't get anywhere else. RIT even offers a free bus to the farmers' market every weekend — check CampusGroups for details. If you live off-campus, public buses also make it pretty convenient.

Take an alpaca tour and experience farm life

Visiting an alpaca farm with friends was one of the most wholesome experiences I’ve had. For around $15, you can join a tour where you feed, play with, and take photos with these adorable animals. Plus, you’ll learn a lot about alpacas and why they’re so special. I visited Ladue Alpacas, but there might be other farms closer to you!

If none of these activities are quite your vibe, you can always ask your friends or professors for recommendations. There’s so much more to Rochester than you might think. And developing a “tourist” mindset doesn’t always require grand adventures — it could be as simple as exploring a new building on campus, trying a different study spot, or attending a random event.

The possibilities are endless — and I hope you enjoy the journey.