National chains and department stores have gravitated to the city's western edge to open their doors. The recipient of the growth has been Wanamaker Road.

Lined with commercial development, the stretch of road is the city's hub for shopping and dining out. The area, which is adjacent to the city's fastest growing neighborhoods, is also home to West Ridge Mall. The region of southwest Topeka encompasses a large chunk of the city, including one of the city's greatest assets.

Washburn University is home to 6,000 students enrolled in more than 180 programs of study. Students are enrolled in the university's College of Arts and Sciences and the schools of Law, Business, Nursing and Applied Studies.

On the fringe of the southwest Topeka region is the Kansas Expocentre, which is home to the Topeka ScareCrows hockey team. When the ice thaws, the facility hosts other events, such as concerts and trade shows crossing the Midwest.

More Topekans call this area "home" than any other segment of the city, which translates into several unique neighborhoods and parks in the region.

Southwest Topeka has several of the city's parks, including Felker and Big Shunga parks. The Topeka County Club and Veterans' Affairs Medical Center also are located in the area.

College Hill, a turn-of-the-century upper-middle class neighborhood north of Washburn University, is home to several Tudor and colonial homes. The Westboro neighborhood, established in 1926, has several similar homes. Quinton Heights is Topeka's counterpart to San Francisco, complete with long, winding streets. The west slope of the area has colonial homes, while the east slope has 1920s colonial and Tudor houses.