1 | Kilted Yak: This store specializes in snowboards, skateboards and all the gear to go along with them. Owner Sean Sudduth even shows off a few vintage boards by the register. 1770-B Main St., 330-657-2030, kiltedyak.com
2 | Yellow Creek Trading Co.: This knick-knack haven is packed with seasonal gifts and adorable finds ranging from upholstered chairs to a clay birdhouse shaped like a frog to a ladybug deviled egg tray. 1685 Main St., 330-657-2444
3 | Fire and Water Books 'n' Bakery: Get cozy in the upstairs loft full of mysteries and romance novels. Free coffee and a sweet trade deal (bring in two books, get one off the shelves for free) make this place a must-stop. 1685 Main St., 440-715-5252
4 | The Log Cabin Gallery: Check out the works of 24 local artists during the Summer Comfort show (running through Aug. 14) at this vintage gallery space inside an 1850s cabin. 1671 Main St., 330-657-2670, thelogcabingallery.com
5 | Ohio Hardwood Furniture: The showroom features gorgeous Craftsman Style and traditional wood furniture and accessories, much of it made in Ohio, while the larger annex farther up the hill features even more of the same. 1663 Main St., 330-657-2095, ohiohardwoodfurniture.com
6 | Century Cycles: You can buy or rent at this little red bike shop, but our favorite thing is the free monthly night rides. Just show up at 8 p.m. on designated nights, and enjoy the moonlit cycling. 1621 Main St., 330-657-2209, centurycycles.com
7 | Winking Lizard Tavern: A confectioner's shop until the '20s, a big-band ballroom in the '30s and '40s, the building has an iconic past that lingers on in the form of the Peninsula Nightclub sign out front. 1615 Main St., 330-657-2770, winkinglizard.com
8 | Peninsula Art Academy: Whether you fancy yourself the next Bob Ross or you just want to learn how to turn wool into yarn on a spinning wheel, this school and gallery has just the class. 1600 W. Mill St., 330-657-2248, peninsulaartacademy.com
9 | Elements Gallery: Owners Debra and Stephen Bures make pottery while guests browse works such as local artisan Larry McCardel's gallery-ready wooden showpieces. 1619 W. Mill St., 330-657-2788, elementsgallerypeninsula.com
10 | Park Place in Peninsula: This store's profits support the Conservancy for Cuyahoga Valley National Park. You'll find bags made from yoga mats and ornaments featuring animal tracks. 1593 Main St., 330-657-2091, cvnpa.org/park-stores
11 | Downtown Emporium: The confines are small, but the finds, such as old postcards with vintage scribbles to friends, are worth exploring. 1595 Main St., 330-657-2778
12 | Fisher's Cafe & Pub: The open, airy patio is the place to be on warm summer evenings in Peninsula. The cafe hops from morning until night with breakfast, beer specials and even a cooler full of ice cream. 1607 Main St., 330-657-2651, fisherscafe.com
Here are some favorites we uncovered in downtown Peninsula.
Laser-cut metal necklace ($69), Park Place: Kristina Malcolm's detailed pendants are etched into shapes such as a delicate, haunting tree.
Bird Rattle ($28), Elements Gallery: The owners created the mold, still used today, for these ceramic birdies 22 years ago, when their own daughter was just a tot.
Eggplant Fries ($6.29), Fisher's Cafe & Pub: They look like a french fry, but this side dish has a chewy, hearty texture that you'll never find inside a slice of fried potato.
