Best free things to do in New Haven?

There are some great affordable things to do in New Haven. The The Yale University Art Gallery is free, and has a really huge and amazing collection. Check out Sterling Memorial Library at Yale; it's a really beautiful building, and walk around the campus. There are lots of little galleries that you can view for free, and exhibits at places like the Yale School of Art.

For outdoorsy things, you can hike at East Rock Park or West Rock Ridge State Park in New Haven proper, or Sleeping Giant State Park in the nearby town of Hamden. Walking around downtown to look at the architecture and little shops is fun. There are lots of great food trucks for cheap eats; they cluster around the Yale Medical School and Ingalls Rink. If you're there on a Saturday, the CitySeed indoor farmer's market is great. And check out listings for live music and concerts, if you're interested; there are a lot of inexpensive events.

Check out the Yale University art galleries, like the Yale Peabody Museum of Natural History. Drive to Branford, CT and check out Stony Creek- Thimble islands tours, several breweries in Branford, Lobster Shack in Branford (I am from Branford ;)