My friends and I want to go somewhere for 3-4 days...someplace with hiking and/or kayaking (not hardcore) AND some fun nightlife. Does such a place exist? We're looking for somewhere within a 5-hour flight from NYC.

I did a similar trip with friends to Vancouver, Canada. A little more than 5 hours from NYC, but not by much. Unbelievable hiking within a very short distance, and kayaking from the beaches within the city. Good nightlife too.

Come to Moncton New Brunswick thursday night always a good time.

Asheville has some fun bars and restaurants and is close to the Nantahala River.

Lake Tahoe. Hiking and Kayaking and nightlife.

I second Lake Tahoe. Or possibly somewhere in the Rockies; Breckenridge, Keystone or Vail.

Thanks for the ideas! There seem to be lots of good ones here.

You said rest, right? Well, my idea of rest would be any great national park or wilderness area that's not too far from the city in case you want to go out to a nice restuarant. Grand Canyon (Vegas), Rocky Mtn. National Park (Denver), Lake Tahoe (Reno), Napa Valley (San Francisco). Smokey Mtns. but there not located too close to any great city. No need to rough it,get hotels.

Come on out to Albuquerque. I have extra room and a jacuzzi too. You'll have all the nightlife you can handle at my place. First round of Keystone Light is on me.
vm

Acadia National Park.
Fly into Bar Harbor. Excellent kayaking, great lobster, quiet places to stay.