1) Spectral history
Ghosts of Vancouver’s past will be conjured with the return of the popular Haunted Walking Tours. The Clark County Historical Museum will lead nighttime excursions through downtown Vancouver for a mix of ghost stories and the history that might have sparked the spooky sighting. Recommend for ages 13 and older. The walking tours begin at 7 and 9 p.m. every Friday and Saturday through Oct. 25 from the museum, 1511 Main St., Vancouver. Preregistration is required. Admission is $10. Call 360-993-5679 or visit cchmuseum.org.
2) Day drive through the Gorge
Take a spin on the first modern roadway in the Northwest during the Maryhill Museum of Art’s The Car is King Weekend. Opened to automobiles only twice a year, the historic Maryhill Loops Road features eight hairpin curves just off state Highway 14. It will be open from noon to 2 p.m. Saturday. At the museum, the Concours de Maryhill Car Show will showcase classic, sport and custom cars from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., while children can build veggie cars to race from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday. The weekend will close with the Maryhill Loops Hill Climb, as vintage sports car race up the historic road from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. The events are free. The Maryhill Museum of Art, 35 Maryhill Museum Drive, Goldendale, will be open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $9, $8 for seniors, $3 for youth, and $25 for families. Call 509-733-3733 or visit maryhillmuseum.org.
3) How about them apples?
The Old Apple Tree Festival will celebrate the Northwest’s oldest living apple tree with children’s activities, fruit tree workshops, music and free apple cuttings from the Old Apple Tree. There also will be a community apple cider pressing, with free cider tasting. Be sure to bring fresh apples and a clean container if you want to make your own apple cider to take home. The free festival is 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at the Old Apple Tree, 112 Columbia Way, Vancouver. Call 360-487-8308 or visit cityofvancouver.us/urbanforestry.
4) Autumn inside and out
The annual Portland Fall Home and Garden Show will offer displays of inspiration indoors and out. The consumer show includes landscaping for spring, workshops, displays and daily demonstrations. The fall show features the designer room competition “Serving Up Style” with modern, whimsical and traditional takes on a dining room. The show is open 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday at the Portland Expo Center, 2060 N. Marine Drive, Portland. Admission is $10 and free for children 12 and younger, with $8 for parking. Call 503-736-5247 or visit homeshowpdx.com.