I’m scared I’m going to hate Venice, convince me otherwise.

I know Venice is supposed to be magical, but I’ve watched so many videos of people shoulder-to-shoulder on the Rialto Bridge and I can already feel my anxiety spiking. I’m going in early April (so hopefully not peak summer madness) and staying for 2 nights. I want to love it. I’m an artist and I’ve dreamed of seeing the canals since I was a kid. But I’m also someone who needs pockets of quiet to not feel overwhelmed. How do I do Venice “right” without just following the crowds from San Marco to the bridge and back? Are there specific times of day or neighborhoods that still feel like the Venice from the movies? Also, is the gondola ride actually worth it or is it a total tourist trap?