A week in Venice in April

The Frari Church, Ca'Rezzonico, San Giorgio Maggiore, the Correr Museum, the cemetery island (name escapes me). I was disappointed in the Naval Museum but others like it. Many other churches to explore. The Ghetto is interesting and evocative, I think there are tours in English.

With a week you have time for an easy day trip to Padua, with its Giotto chapel (Scrovegni), Basilica of St. Anthony, and the big former town hall in the center (again, name escapes me).

So many places to see on foot! We always buy the vaporetto pass, though, as sometimes when we end a long explorative Walk, we are far from “home.”

Sant’Elena is a beautiful part of the island, more locals than tourists. Make your way out to the Basilica of San Pietro di Castello. Also, a walk along the Zattere is nice, vaporetto to the Giudicca at Palanca and lunch at La Palanca for a different view and great, simple, classic food.

Scuola Dalmata di San Giorgio degli Schiavoni, best Carpaccio including St. George & the dragon, Take binoculars, the huge paintings are high on the walls. On Calle dei Furlani in Castello.

Church of San Francesco della Vigna in Castello.

Take a topa (little Venetian motor boat) tour: http://www.vivivenezia.org Almost two hours on the back canals.

San Giacomo dell’Orio, ceiling is wooden built with shipbuilder techniques, nice campo, northern San Polo.

Did you see all the tops of the columns on the outside of the Doge's Palace?

None of these gems is very hidden except maybe the topa tour. A week will be wonderful because you will find lots more!

I second @Dick's suggestion for San Giorgio Maggiore, the views from the bell tower are unbeatable and the whole island is intriguing to walk around. I love seeing the beautiful boats close up too. The Ghetto is definitely worth some attention, it is one of my first stops. The Jewish bakeries, the wonderful shops, and yes they do have English tours of the synagogues (just be prepared for tight security, but I've never seen a line). Since you have seen the Doges palace, I highly suggest seeing the inside of Ss. Giovanni e Paolo; many Doges tombs are there, amazing architecture, and masterpieces. The neighborhood is delightful and not touristy. Restaurant al Cavalo is a great place for aperitivo and a relaxing people watch. Did you go to the museum on the mezzanine level of San Marco? If no, it's worth an hour. This is how one gets access to the balcony and its wonderful view, and the up close and personal views of the mosaics is really spectacular. You might want to enjoy something from the fruit stand in front of San Lio (close to the Rialto bridge) since there's been a fruit stand there for about 500 years. There is an amazing gelato place on Salazito san Lio next to Crazy Pizza, I don't know the name. It's tiny but seriously awesome gelato. If you go to Burano, get off one stop early at Mazzorbo and walk though this peaceful island with its vineyard (today terribly flooded, so I'd be interested to see what it is like this spring) then there is a bridge to Burano.
After your trip Anita, will you post a trip report? I am going back to Venice in May and I would love to hear what new gems you discover.

We have done the topa tour referenced above and it was great.
A book to take a look at is Secret Venice by Jonglez, lots of “off grid” sites that see few tourists.

It seems you are not aware how devastated Venice is. I really do not know in which state San Marco and some other museums will be at that time.
If you intend to go and visit them, check around February-March.
Another thing, please do not come to Venice with these horrible big cruise boats which are ruining Venice.
Hope they will now forbid them.

Wow, so many great ideas! I will have to make a list. I will have to look into taking a topa tour, I hadn't come across that yet. the Ghetto is also on my list. I did not go up to the mezzanine in San Marco, either, so will add that to my list. Also a good suggestion to get off one stop before Burano and walk across the bridge. I was unaware of that possibility as the map I have doesn't show it. I will have to print off a good map and mark some locations on it. I will also look into going to Padua for a day.

Would the museum or church pass be worth buying for a lot of these places or should I just pay as I go?

Torre dell Orologio is a fun tour. Just remember that the tour starts at the lobby of the Correr Museum.
https://torreorologio.visitmuve.it/en/pianifica-la-tua-visita/tickets/

I think you are really not aware of what is going on in Venice. Contact your hotel and make sure they can reopen in April.
Make sure also the museums and San Marco reopens to tourists by that time.
Considering what has happened this week, I am not so sure it will be the case.
Have another alternative if this is not possible

The church Chorus pass is good value. It costs about 15 euro, maybe a bit less, and gives admission to about 20 or 25 churches.

Two places to visit:
The Tre Oci photo gallery on Giudecca, closedMondays I think. Chances they will have a major exhibition on display.
Palazzo Fortuny, a gallery inside what was once the Fortuny household.

Maybe google Carlo Scarpa if modern Venetian architecture is your thing.

While Francoise above expresses concern that things in Venice might be difficult come April, friends who live there say that things are getting back to normal, bars and cafes opening. Come April it will be OK, although you might get a close up view of some restoration work.

Thanks Aussie, I will look into the Chorus pass and your other suggestions. I am well aware of what's going on in Venice right now as I have a co-worker who is from there, and his family has been keeping him up to date. He showed me some cell phone video of the wind and waves in action. Scary! But, it appears things are getting back to normal, and I do expect that there will be ongoing restoration work by the time I get there.

Do any avid photographers have any suggestions for locations for good photos and what time of day to be there?

For an interesting photo, try the crypt of the church of San Zacharia. It floods with the tide.

First light in Venice is magical. One of my very best days started by going to the Piazza very early and watching the sunrise over the lagoon. The Grand Canal late at night is great too.

The Secret Itineraries tour at the Doge's Palace is very interesting. Book early, there are only 2-3 tours a day and small groups.

Some of the windows of the Correr Museum look out on the Piazza, including some good views of the basilica.

I took this morning walking tour and it was excellent. I would have taken the afternoon tour as well, but ran out of time.

Thanks Chani, I should have time to fit in both of those walking tours if they are up and running when I am there.