I'd take a look at the White Mountain Region of NH. There are several really nice campgrounds in that area such as Moose Hillock, Danforth Bay, Mountain Lake, The Beach, Eastern Slope, Glen-Ellis. All of them are within an hour's drive of the following attractions: Storyland, Santa's Village, The Flume Gorge, Mt. Washington and Clark's Trading Post. There are numerous scenic areas, hiking trails and mountains to climb in the Presidential Range. There are also several State of NH run campgrounds throughout the region.
Up in Maine, I know of the lobster festival in the Rockland area. I believe it is the first week in August.
Watkin's Glenn looks really nice, as do the Taughannock Falls. I'd like to drive up Mt Washington. Everyone we talk to raves about Lake George.
I think so far our absolutly must see list is Acadia/Bar Harbor, a couple days in Boston, Cape Cod, White Mountains (Mt Washington), Lake George, some other place in the Adirondacks, Taughannock Falls. Watkins Glenn looks like it will probably make the list.
What is Orchard Beach like? There is a coast to coast there.
We're thinking about maybe a day or two in Salem. Lake Placid. SOmeone suggested Monhegan island as well.
Still deciding about going further north into Canada, to Nova Scotia.
Niagara Falls is also a great destination. We stayed on the Canadian side and it was great. The Falls and area can occupy 2 days or a whole week. We spent three nights and got most of the highlights.
On the way there you could stop off and see the Corning Glass Museum, that's a good halfway stop from NJ.
From Niagara you could shoot over to the Finger Lakes or Lake George or head east through Canada.
You didn't mention Vermont in your list of states to visit, but it is a natural if you are going from upstate NY through NH to Maine. If you stay in the Adirondacks ( I recommend the Lake Placid KOA in Wilmington) you can take the Crown Point Bridge across to Vermont, or the ferry from Port Kent, which the kids might enjoy. You mentioned beach front -- the Ausable Point State Park on the NY side of Lake Champlain is great, but not suitable for rigs over 34'.
On the VT side of the lake is Apple Island RV Resort in SO. Hero in the Champlain Islands. It is across the road from the lake and a marina, has a new large pool and lots of activities for the kids. Sand Bar State park has a nice beach, and is just down the road from the campground. There are several good launch areas for kayaks and canoes. You mentioned that the kids like museums, etc. The Echo Lake Aquarium and Science Center on the waterfront in Burlington is very popular. There is also a very good bike trail there that goes for miles.
Vermont has many fairs, festivals and farmers' markets in the summer months. The 4th of July fireworks display off the Burlington waterfront is amazing.
If you head to Maine, take Rt. #2 through the scenic North East Kingdom of VT and the White Mountains of NH. Many good campgrounds and sites along the way.
In Maine, absolutely do not miss Acadia National Park and the Bar Harbor area. The Bar Harbor KOA is one of our all time favorite campgrounds -- right on the water. We go there every year around Labor Day. Reserve a waterfront site if you can.
"Finally, we absolutely LOVE festivals and fairs, the bigger or weirder the better."
I won't get into what campgrounds to stay at since that's been covered by so many others in different forum topics. For weird, try the Warren,VT Fourth of July parade and block party. You can probably even decorate your RV and be in it. For a town of about a thousand people, they've drawn crowds over 10,000. They even have a webpage but I can't find the link right now. For 'large' try the Fryeburg Fair, with camping sites for over 1000 and all the traditional fair fun and games it's the best way to end a summer. www.Fryeburgfair.com
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