Lewis & Clark is located in the lush hills of South Portland, the city’s “sixth quadrant.” But our beautiful campus isn’t the entire story—our location offers something that most other liberal arts colleges do not: an ideal setting in a vibrant, progressive city with endless networking, entertainment, and cultural resources.

Portland is a city that supports broad passions and provides diverse opportunities: visual and performing arts supported by a strong DIY-culture; activists and allies; tech companies and corporate headquarters; entrepreneurs, foodies, sustainability advocates; and many, many more. As a student, you will get direct access to the city and all it offers.

Our academics are also closely connected with the city. The Connect-Portland (PDX) designation is given to courses highlighting the experiential, experimental, and inquiry-based learning that is derived from our location.

No matter where you’re from or where you end up, once you arrive at Lewis & Clark, you’ll be a Portlander for life.

  • Spring in Portland
    should really be called cherry blossom season!
    close up of white and pink cherry blossoms
  • Hanna Wright BA ’23
    shares what she loves about Portland and the surrounding area!
    Hanna Wright BA '23

 

Portland city skyline at dusk.

Best

Cosmopolitan names Portland among the best cities in the world to live in during your 20s.

Slice of pepperoni pizza over a map of Portland.

#1

According to Modernist Pizza, Portland’s pies are the best in the land.

Comic books

#1

Portland’s Books With Pictures won the 2022 Eisner award for best comic/graphic novel store in the world!

Sunset on the Oregon coast.

120

It’s just a two-hour drive to get to a mountain, beach, or desert.

Portland Thorns game.

3

Portland has three professional sports teams: the Trail Blazers, the Timbers, and the Thorns (pictured). 

Bikes on campus.

315

Portland has 315 miles of bike pathways.

L&C students in front of Powell's Books.

3500

Powell’s Books is the world’s biggest independent bookstore with over 3,500 different sections.

L&C student eating at a food cart in downtown Portland.

500+

Portland has 500+ food carts, including multiple cart pods in downtown Portland.

Pioneer Express

6

The free Pioneer Express shuttle travels the six miles to the heart of a city that the NYT calls, “one of our national capitals of cool.”

Student making art.

Artsy

Portland is the third most creative city in America, as reported by alumna Lizzy Acker BA ’05 for the Oregonian.

Dog at Homecoming

Woof

Portland is the best place to own a dog in the U.S., according to U.S. News and World Report.