Sure, hiking is all about the journey. But these five boast destinations — stunning views, historic sites and other treasures — that are well worth the huffing and puffing 1.

So, you think everyone who works out looks like Jillian Michaels? You think that an average Joe like you could never scale a rock face or bench press 200 pounds? Wrong. Here’s the proof: people with amazing athletic talents disguised as average folks, just like you.

You’d be hard-pressed to find a soul in Las Vegas who isn’t happy about this month’s opening of The Smith Center for the Performing Arts. But few are happier than members of the center’s two resident companies, the Las Vegas Philharmonic and the Nevada Ballet Theatre.

Destination known All by your lonesome on Highway 50 (except for the ghosts) For much of summer, US Highway 50 — “The Loneliest Highway in America” — is anything but lonely. The route is heavy traveled by flocks of motorcyclists, as well as road-trippers in cars and RVs.

Culture Restoring order in the court The newly opened Mob Museum in downtown Las Vegas counts guns, photos and jewelry among its treasured artifacts, but the greatest artifact may be the building itself. The historic neoclassical structure at 300 Stewart Ave.

Layers Bakery Café This Green Valley pastry stop offers much more than just sweet stuff Eating healthy doesn’t have to mean not eating delicious. As proof, I offer Exhibit A: Layers Bakery Café.