What should we do?

Can you help us? Our family would like to take a "gap" year - an extended time off from living here in New Hampshire. I envision taking a couple of months to a year and exploring alternative living. Not sure what that means? At this point, neither am I!

At first I thought maybe we'd do a family service project somewhere....
Then I thought we'd exchange houses and experience a different culture....
Then I thought maybe we could find temporary jobs overseas ...
Then I thought we'd just travel around the U.S. and visit friends we haven't seen in a while....
Then I thought we'd travel around the world ...

And, then I thought, why not ask our family and friends what they've done that's interesting? Or, what things they've heard about that might be fun? Vacation spots for families?

Any ideas? Interested in joining us for sometime? Let me know! Our kids are 8 and 12.