venice for one night and (almost) two days

Do you have a decent guidebook (or two)?

Rick Steves has a guide for Italy that is good.

I suggest finding a tour. Look for local tours on the internet or check out Viator.com

You want to see St. Mark's Cathedral and probably the Doge's Palace. A gondola ride is expensive, but find a group to split the cost.

Going up in the tower at St. Mark's square is nice.

There are some great museums there and more to see, but you probably don't have time.

Could you add a few more details? what time will you arrive- will you be jet lagged on arrival? what time do you leave and from where? When is this day?

You won't have time for a lot but there are ways to avoid waiting in line.

St Mark's book a timed entry 3 euros
https://basilicasanmarco.insidecom.it/en/attractions-in-veneto/tickets/skip-the-line-saint-marks-basilica/#choose
the basilica is illuminated from something like 11:45-12:30 pm- worth timing your visit to see that

Doges Palace- Secret Itinerary tour was awesome- after tour you are feee to visit palace on your own.
https://palazzoducale.visitmuve.it/en/pianifica-la-tua-visita/special-itineraries/secret-itineraries-tour/

Get up early- head to Rialto fish market- then either take vaporetto back to St Marks for your timed entry or walk there- just make sure you allow time- it's very easy (but fun!) to get lost.

After you've done those 2 major sites get away from San Marco plaza and just entertain yourselves wandering the quiet back canals either side of Grand canal

A length of stay vaporetto pass is very useful.

thanks all .. we will be arriving early morning oct 11 and will leave for florence by train later afternoon on the 12th ... we haven't booked that yet. while i'm sure we will be jet-lagged, that hasn't stopped us before!!

has anyone visited the jewish ghetto in venice? or the peggy guggenheim collection?

Look for a hotel near the train station (St. Lucia) to simplify your transfers. The ghetto is a pretty short walk from the station and well worth seeing if you have time, perhaps as your first sight after arrival. Then take the vaporetto down the Grand Canal into the heaving masses of midday visitors. If you stay on the boat you can get off near the Guggenheim, which may not be as crowded as other places because it's less famous.

San Marco Basilica is a great sight, inside and out. Try to be there late enough in the day that the crowds have diminished. Your best times in central Venice (Rialto, San Marco etc.) will be late afternoon, evening, and early morning.

I'd suggest the RS "Pocket Venice" guide for such a short stay -- small and inexpensive, with all you'll need for your purposes. Plus some guidebook research at your local library. It will be hard to produce a high-quality Venice experience in such a short time, especially if you're jet-lagged, but you gotta do what you can!

This is pasted from Rick's 'priorities'
▲▲▲ St. Mark's Square Venice's grand main square.
▲▲▲ St. Mark's Basilica Cathedral with mosaics, saint's bones, treasury, museum, and viewpoint of square.
▲▲▲ Doge's Palace Art-splashed palace of former rulers, with prison accessible through Bridge of Sighs.
▲▲▲ Rialto Bridge Distinctive bridge spanning the Grand Canal, with a market nearby.
▲▲ Correr Museum Venetian history and art.
▲▲ Accademia Venice's top art museum.
▲▲ Scuola San Rocco "Tintoretto's Sistine Chapel."

as always - thank you!!!!!