You can backup your current iPad, and then restore the new iPad from that backup (a list of what is included in a backup is in this article http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4079 - it excludes music, videos, synced photos). As the backup doesn't contain the actual apps, just their settings and content, for the restore to work completely you'll need all the relevant apps in your computer's iTunes library - otherwise the restore won't be able to install the apps and therefore their content (if you don't have the apps on your computer then you can re-download them for free : http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2519). Also a restore to a different device won't copy over email passwords and any passwords stored on websites, so you'll need to re-enter them.
In terms of emptying the iPad (you may want to make sure that the restore onto the new iPad works first), log out of your iTunes account on it (Settings > Store) and then do Settings > General > Reset > Erase All Content And Settings to reset the iPad back to factory settings.