must sees in Venice

Rick Steves has an incredible Venice itinerary plan here: http://www.ricksteves.com/plan/destinations/italy/venice3.htm. But to see more off-the-beaten path places, see this blog http://venicetravelblog.com/sightseeing/ for ideas. One of my favorite sites was San Giorgio Maggiore. It is a 5 minute vaporetto ride from San Zaccaria and the campanile there offers an uncrowded and amazing view of the Laguna. It's like looking at a map, live, with boat traffic. Be sure to go on a clear sunny day! Short trip, but worthwhile and away from the masses. Be sure to buy vaporetto passes. You can get discounted ones at http://www.veniceconnected.com before you go. This list is a little more adult, but has some inspiring ideas http://www.frommers.com/destinations/venice/0067020001.html. Good pizza in a nice garden at Nono Risorto. Good prices for feeding hungry teens!

I'm traveling to Europe (including Venice) with my teenage son this summer. To keep it interesting, we will do some out-of-the ordinary things like canoeing down the Dordogne River Valley and taking a Segway tour of Paris. In Rome we'll tour the catacombs. In Venice, we'll stop and explore San Michele (otherwise known as Cementery Island).

I'd highly recommend going to Guidecca. It's the island next to San Giorgio Maggiorre and a real neighborhood w/o a lot of tourists. Remember, the majority of people you will see are tourists. Also, be sure and be in the Cathedral of San Marco at mid day when they turn on the spotlights on the dome, Amazing Sight!!

The fish market is cool if you go in the morning. The top of the tower at San Giorgio has a great view and isn't as crowded as the Campanile. Also, the tour of the Doge's palace has lots of medieval weaponry, torture instruments and prison cells.

Santa Maria dei Frari is a wonderful church near S Polo. The Peggy Guggenheim is nice if you like modern art, not too big if you get museum'd out. My favorite "site" in Venice was Venice, though. Make sure you pencil in some time to get lost and wander aimlessly.

I think your boys would enjoy the "Secret itineraries" tour of the Doges Palace. You have to make reservations, but you go up in the attics, to the prison cell where Casanova was held and other parts the public don't get to view. I went last June and really enjoyed it. I made my reservations & paid for my ticket on-line and didn't have to wait in any lines to get in the Doges. It was great. After the tour you can see the 'public areas' if they want to.

I did the Secret Itineraries tour last year, and can say it is definitely worth it! I think it would interest your boys more than the main tour. Get a vaporetto pass and go visit Murano, and if you have the time/desire Burano and Torcello as well. That was one of my favorite parts of my time in Venice.

Thank you to everyone who answered my question. I think the "Secret Itinerary Tour" sounds like something the boys would love!!!!
Really appreciate the feedback!!!!

Don't forget to take a traghetto ride . These are the gondolas which ferry locals and savvy tourists across the Grand Canal at various points between those places where there are bridge crossings. The ride takes only a minute or two and most of the locals ride standing up. I believe the fare is a half Euro. When you go home. you can boast that you took a gondola ride and omit saying how long it was or that it didn't cost an arm and a leg. The ubiquitous arrow signs that point to the main attractions of Venice will usually have an arrow directing you to a traghetto.

Don't forget to take a traghetto ride . These are the gondolas which ferry locals and savvy tourists across the Grand Canal at various points between those places where there are bridge crossings. The ride takes only a minute or two and most of the locals ride standing up. I believe the fare is a half Euro. When you go home. you can boast that you took a gondola ride and omit saying how long it was or that it didn't cost an arm and a leg. The ubiquitous arrow signs that point to the main attractions of Venice will usually have an arrow directing you to a traghetto.