Portland earned its CNN-recognized title of "home to the world's best street food" thanks to a unique phenomenon: the "food cart pods." These clusters of food trucks and stalls, which enjoy semi-permanent locations and often feature shared dining areas with tables and seats, offer a diverse array of cuisines. With several hundred food carts, you can find everything from classic Americana burgers to Korean-style tacos. Notable food cart pods include those on Fifth and Third Avenues in downtown Portland, as well as the Portland State University campus. Other popular pods are Cartopia and Cartlandia in Southeast Portland, Prost Marketplace in the Northeast, and Killingsworth Station, among several others.

The upmarket marina at Port Denarau has restaurants, cafés and a stage for hosting traditional Fijian performances. Restaurants offer everything from South Pacific and Indian cuisines, to pizza and ice-cream, while there is a spacious seated area with picturesque views across the water especially beautiful at sunset.

The S'edav Va'aki Museum, formerly known as the Pueblo Grande Museum, offers a fascinating journey into the history and ancient cultures of the Phoenix area, particularly the Hohokam people. Located on a 1,500-year-old archaeological site, visitors can explore an outdoor interpretive trail that features the remnants of a Hohokam ballcourt, the prehistoric platform mound, ancient canal systems, and replicas of traditional Hohokam housing. The interpretive agricultural garden also highlights the innovative farming techniques used in the desert. Inside, the museum houses three educational galleries that dive deeper into the archaeology, history, and daily life of the Hohokam civilization. Through interactive exhibits and artifacts, guests can gain a richer understanding of how this ancient culture thrived in the harsh desert landscape.

Nestled near the Desert Botanical Garden, the Phoenix Zoo is home to a diverse range of animals from all over the world, with a special focus on the wildlife of the Sonoran Desert. The zoo features expansive exhibits where you can observe native creatures like coyotes, mountain lions, and desert tortoises up close. For a more immersive experience, the zoo offers interactive opportunities, including camel rides, stingray touch tanks, and a petting zoo where kids can brush and feed goats. In addition to its animal encounters, the Phoenix Zoo hosts daily educational programs and seasonal events such as ZooLights, where the park transforms into a winter wonderland of sparkling lights.