Get tickets for opening time (10am) for the Lucien Freud Exhibit at the National Portrait Gallery in advance or better yet for the NPG and yourself-become a Member and walk in free at your own convenience.

Grab a snack across the street at the St Martin-in-the-Field Crypt restaurant.

Browse the excellent gift shop there while the kids do a brass rubbing.    Pop upstairs for a quick view of the stunning baroque church.  If you, like our family, didn’t know much about the unique window in this otherwise baroque church learn about the window by artist Shirazeh Houshiary that was part of the church’s refurbishment.

Finally, take a leisurely stroll to 144 New Bond Street, the Halcyon Gallery where Dale Chihuly currently has a major exhibition (through April 21). Chihuly is widely regarded as one of the foremost contemporary artists working in  glass, and is credited with elevating the medium from the realm of craft to groundbreaking fine art. Along the way stop in The Royal Academy (if you have advanced tickets to the Hockney Exhibition)  You can also pop into Hatchards and buy a dozen books.