3 days in Venice w/ 2 year old. Any recommendations?

[tex111]

We're going to Venice on Thursday for three days with our 2 year old DS. We're staying at the Danieli so we'll be very central and just taking the lightweight pushchair. Any tips, advice, recommendations? This will be our first trip to Venice for all of us. Are Burano or Murano worth a day out? Do you think DS would be OK in a gondola? I've heard they're very low to the water and unstable but would hate to miss that experience.

Thanks!

Hi tex111, I live in Venice and moved here when DS was 2.5 (he's 4 now). Danieli is a great location with San Marco (let DS run around after the pigeons and maybe even feed them) to the right as you come out the front door and the biggest park in Venice along the water front to your left. This has 2 play areas, one of which is good for littlies. Both Murano and Burano are good but I think a whole day might be pushing it a bit as once you have been to the glass factory (Murano) and the lace making places (Burano) there is little there other than shops for the tourists, although both are nice places to walk around. If you only do one I would do Murano which also has a nice play park with picnic tables and public toilets (quite rare here). TBH we've never been in a gondola but I have seen plenty of young children in them and I would think that the gondoliers (rowers) are quite used to small children, it depends how wiggly your DS is. You can negociate with them (the gondolier) for a short trip if you're not too sure. Don't miss the fantastic ice creams, great wines and of course pizza and pasta but try to avoid eating in the obvious tourist spots otherwise you will pay way over the odds although the food will probably still be very good. You can buy everything you need here so don't come laden with nappies and wipes, in fact don't come laden with too much of anything because unless you get a water taxi to the hotel you will be going over bridges. Every day I see tourists who clearly regret taking so much luggage and struggling with suitcases over all the bridges and steps. Buy a 3 day vaporetto pass when you arrive so you can jump on and off any of the boats at your leisure (it also works out much cheaper then individual tickets and prevents long queues). Don't try to see too much in your 3 days and remember that half the fun of Venice is getting totaly lost (it will happen)! Enjoy, it's a great place!

Albert, thanks so much! That's really helpful and will make a big difference as to what I pack. Wasn't sure about nappies and stuff but now I'll have more room in the suitcase.

Have a great time Tex111.