Turning 21 in the USA is a special occasion that has one major staple: getting wasted. Most teenagers, by that time have probably already had a sip or two of alcohol before. Some have even already tasted the effects of a hangover at 10am the next morning and by noon, revisiting their post-party breakfast in the porcelain throne room. Yet, having the freedom to do so legally is a thrill that sets its own high. And newly 21's take full advantage. Casinos, clubs, lounges, and obviously college parties will be littered with newly 21 year olds looking to have a drunken good time. Now, while this seems fun to most, the hangover the next day is so not worth it. Especially since, not too far in the future, this will become more boring and time consuming than fun. The best gift to yourself for a fun 21 without the hangover and plenty of memories, is to just be young and explore your newly minted adulthood. Thanks to the fall season, there are plenty activities to do that don't involve a brain splitting migraine. Here are some things that don't involve alcohol, put you front and center and leaves you refreshed for the morning after:

1. A Movie and A Maze

Start your night with a bit of pre-gaming (lots of water and food). Go with your crew and watch a late night viewing of some kind of thriller. Buy snacks and soft drinks, like Henry's Hard Cherry Soda at the local pharmacy or convenience store and sneak them in via book-bag or large purse. Horror movies are best, especially in the fall and most especially, right before a maze. Go to a haunted maze somewhere close by and run as a group if possible. Finish the night by heading to a dinner for some good old fashion fun, beer and laughs to ease the fear induced tension and to just have a good end to a fun night. Make sure to take pictures and enjoy the moment. This will be a memory for the ages.

2. Lazer Tag, Paintball and a Hayride

There is nothing like splattering your friends with pain inducing balls of paint being shot out of a gun or blasting them out of the competition with a lazer light show in the evening. Grabbing food and a cold drink afterward on a hayride under the stars is both the perfect date and group fun.

3. Fort night.

Okay, admittedly this is totally childish and probably not fit for an adult nor really a fort... that being said, the time just before adulthood comes slamming in your face is the best time to live out childhood fantasies/memories. Take a room in the house, probably your own bedroom or dorm, and remove everything. Carpet the floor with first opened cardboard boxes or large blankets. Then lay down the mattress (inflatable is probably the most secure and money saving) or sleeping bags in the middle. Also in the middle, you can have your projector set (store bought or homemade) and mini stereo system on a small table. In between each mattress leave at least a 6 inch space so snacks and drinks can rest without danger. Have a large white sheet or projector screen on one wall secured and the surrounding walls lined with multicolored Christmas or Halloween lights to give the space some festive colors. Prepare punches, vodka soaked candies, and other goodies waiting to be devoured. Lock yourselves in and just have a wild cookie time, whether it's a movie night or a wild pajama only dance party.

4. Scavenger Hunt Race

An oldie and goodie classic: scavenger hunt. Have a group of friends as evenly paired as possible and set up a town-wide goose chase where the end goal is a Cafe Havana or Napper Tandy's Irish Pub where you can eat, dine and wine. It's a lot of fun and a simple task that's competitive and easy in the pocket. Also, the winners don't have to pay a cent for their food.

5. Cook Off

if you love to cook or bake, get your friends together poor some wine or beer and try new dishes. Every person gets a different recipe they've never tried before and has to cook it within a set time. At the end, everyone gets a piece of everything and votes on who's dish was the crowd favorite. Whoever wins, doesn't have to clean up afterwards or gets first servings for whatever is for dessert.

6.Wine and Beer Tasting

There are many places here on Long Island where you can go to a winery or brewery and have a tasting (you get to try out different wines and beers). A lot of them are located in beaches or small towns. Spend your day enjoying wine at the beach or local fairs.

7. Beach Bonfires

Even if it's too cold for a beach day, there is nothing like spending the cool evenings with a beer in your hand, a fire burning hot close to you, sand in your toes and friends surrounding you on your birthday. Take this time to be silly and just have a good time.

8. Cliff or Sky Diving

The winter is coming, and it's bringing the snow in full force. Before it gets too cold to have a good time outdoors, do something thrilling so it can land on your bucket list. If death defying parachutes or gliders aren't your trade find a local buff near a beach. Do your research before diving headlong off a cliff into the cooling waters. Bring a bikini and plenty of towels and blankets. Do a Bella, and take a dive. Bring a couple of beers for liquid courage if need be, and much like driving have two or three designated sobers, to make sure you are all safe.

9. Zip-lining

If Death defying stunts, cliff dives and chases aren't your thing, take a chance to sightsee nature up close and personal... sort of. It's a rather easy and fun-for-all activity that keep you laughing all day. Take a lunch and have a picnic. Pop open some bubbly, and just have fun.

10. Ghoul- Hunting

Similar to a game of tag- think Hunger Games without the death. Birthday boy or girl gets the title of ghoul and has a five minute head start run. They get two "protectors" to help get them to the finish line (restaurant). Everyone else "chases" the ghoul as "hunters". Whoever captures the fearsome ghoul gets a free dinner. If the ghoul makes it to safety, the protectors and ghoul get a free dinner. To make things even more fun, live stream your adventures so anyone can pick up clues as to where any person is. Make teams for safety and happy hunting!

11. Pumpkin Smashing or Picking

Depending on your group of friends you can do either or both. Pumpkin picking is a favorite past time that can have its own adventures. So is smashing them; made even more fun of the smashing is done piñata style. Set the pumpkin down on the ground (preferably outside) then blindfold the person and spin them round a few times. Let them loose trying to find and smash the pumpkin. Use the remains to make some good old fashion pumpkin pie. Record it all to share with when its done for some more shared laughs.

Some of these seem childish, but with all the pain being spread in this world, a little childish fun is needed. So take some time off being an "adult" and have some good fun. And remember, drink responsibly. It's not just your life that could be in danger.