Southwest Portland has a distinctly different vibe than most of Portland. Located right outside of Downtown Portland, the Southwest is home to the multitudes of college students that attend Portland State University and Lewis and Clark College. The result is an area that initially feels residential, but really has much more going on than meets the eye. Home to some beautiful gardens and parks, this area is worth spending a few hours exploring. It is here that the downtown transitions into homes atop rolling hills in under a mile. There are many fun events in Southwest Portland hosted by the colleges, so be sure to check out their websites when you're in the area! And on the weekends, be sure not to miss the Farmer's Market, where you can find Portland's many foodies shopping for local, organic food.