We need some advice as to what to see/do during the day in Venice. We have 4 full days, one for St. Marco/Doge’s Palace, one for Accadamia; what do you suggest for the other two days? We like art museums/galleries, churches, etc; not interested in shopping...

Hi, here's Venice - 200 Things To Do and See
And there's plenty more where that came from in the Venice section of this website.

Some suggestions:

1. Santa Maria della Salute, or simply the Salute, contains paintings by Titian and Tintoretto; and San Giorgio Maggiore, a Palladio designed church, also with several Tintoretto paintings, and with several Doge's Tombs.

2. Consider a Piazza San Marco to Rialto walk. The most popular route is along the Mercerie, but I like Rick Steve's route, it includes the Teatro la Fenice, Venice's oldest theater, and Scala Contarini del Bovolo, that exterior tower-like staircase that I'm sure you've seen pictures of.

3. Consider a night-time Grand Canal Cruise by vaporetto; for that matter, try the 82 Line, it does the length of the Grand Canal, and circles Venice using the Guidecca Canal, offering great views of San Giorgio, the Salute, Redentore, and the Rialto Bridge among numerous other sites.

4. The Friari and Scuola San Rocco are great sites. The Friari for Titian's Assumption, among much more, including his tomb; and I've read somewhere a description of San Rocco as Tintoretto's Sistine Chapel. They are across the campo from each other.

5. For much of Venice's history, the Canale di Cannaregio was the primary entrance route into Venice from the mainland. It is one of the few canals that has a full length fondamente (walkway). It is a great walk in a less touristed area, with plenty of "Venice atmosphere." Along the way is Ponte Tres Archi, a unique bridge with three arches.

6. I read somewhere, I think in Weideger's "Venetian Dreaming," to never, ever, pass an open church without going in. I have made this little bit of advice my mantra when in Venice. Venice has well over 100 churches, most small neighborhood parishes, which despite their exterior look and dimensions, almost all contain some treasures of artwork, or architectural grandiosity, the Scalzi being a case in point.

Finally, I think your concern for what to do in two days will be replaced with "I wish we had more time." Venice does that.

We're just back from a week in Venice and had a great time, though the crowds were sometimes a problem, mainly in the Rialto-San Marco corridor. Some thoughts:

Depending on time of year, plan your visit to the San Marco area carefully. Otherwise the crowds will be impossible. Early morning is best; unfortunately the Basilica doesn't open until 9:45. The Campanile opens earlier (9:00, I think), so I'd suggest being there when it opens and seeing the Basilica afterwards (still crowded, but I expect it always is).

Don't miss the Correr Museum (combination ticket with Palazzo Ducale - if you buy it at the Correr, you can skip the ticket line at the Palazzo) which includes the Archaeological Museum and the open bits of the Biblioteca.

We found a half day at the Accademia was enough - there's just so much we can absorb in one visit. If I were going back I might plan 2 half days rather than 1 full day. While you're in the neighborhood, consider lunch or dinner at Ristorante San Trovaso which is right behind the museum. It was far and away my favorite restaurant of the trip (huge plate of cozze & vongole, wonderful pasta with scampi & porcini, great fish).

Spend the rest of your time in some of Venice's wonderful churches. My favorites were the Frari and S. Zanipolo (great Gothic!), but there are literally dozens of other smaller ones. The Chorus pass was a good way to see some of the nicest ones (8 Euros per person, covers 16 churches and is good for a year).

With only 4 days I'd skip the other islands, especially Burano. If Venice isn't Disneyland, I believe that Burano (or at least its main street) is!

Have a great trip!

I always like the Venice Favorites thread for getting started on ideas on what to do. Ruth's list that Leslie linked is also great.