I love visiting the 'Venice of America' in Florida. The city is great — just be sure to adjust your expectations.

• As a Florida local, I love visiting downtown Fort Lauderdale, about 30 miles north of Miami.
• Though it's been nicknamed "Venice of America," it's a far cry from the Italian city.
• Still, it's nice to travel along the city's canals, dine waterside, and explore the local shops.

I've lived in Miami for nearly a decade, and one of my favorite things to do is travel around Florida.

One of my go-to spots is Fort Lauderdale, a refreshing city right on the Atlantic Ocean located about 30 miles north of Miami.

With a population of about 200,000 residents, this eastern Florida city is known for its quieter beaches, walkable downtown, and vibrant stores and restaurants.

It's also famous for having hundreds of miles of canals that curl in and around the city — a feature that's earned it the nickname "Venice of America." Just like in Italy's Venice, these winding waterways are very much a part of daily life in this Florida city.

However, if your mind is now swimming with images of Italy's lagoon-encased city filled with gondolas, keep reading before you book your trip to Fort Lauderdale.

There are lots of great things to do in Fort Lauderdale's downtown area

If you plan on visiting Fort Lauderdale and want to indulge in the city's Venetian spirit, I've got suggestions for popular things you can do in the city.

For one, you'll want to head downtown and make Las Olas your home base. Las Olas Boulevard is a pedestrian-friendly roadway that runs parallel to the New River, which sits a few blocks south.

It stretches all the way to the beaches, but the part closer to the US-1 highway in the west is where you'll find the most popular stores and restaurants — many of which tout their water views to guests and offer lots of outdoor seating.

Here, you can set out on foot to shop along the tree-lined boulevard, grab brunch at the French-inspired Café Bastille Fort Lauderdale, or visit the Historic Stranahan House Museum by the water.

It's also worth riding the free water trolley at least once

Though downtown Fort Lauderdale is definitely walkable — especially compared to other parts of South Florida — you don't have to set out on foot if you don't want to.

Like the vaporetto in Venice, the area offers water taxis that you can pay to ride, but I suggest the LauderGO! Water Trolley, which is free.

The trolley transports visitors along the New River in Downtown Fort Lauderdale, allowing them to travel seamlessly from one popular spot to the next.

It runs from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., traveling in a loop and stopping at popular locations along the north and south sides of the river, including Riverfront Plaza, Esplanade Park, and Tarpon River.

Be sure to stroll along the Riverwalk

When I visited Venice, one of my favorite things to do was walk along the canals early in the morning or right before dusk. The gentle lapping of the water was calming, and the views were as beautiful as what I'd seen in pictures online.

In Fort Lauderdale, you can get that same feeling by wandering along the Riverwalk, a passageway that, as the name suggests, follows the curve and flow of the New River.

I enjoy walking here in the morning with a coffee in hand, unhurried, as I take in the beautiful nature of South Florida.

All in all, Fort Lauderdale is worth a visit — just keep your expectations in check

The city is definitely worth a visit in its own right, but picturing an Italian-style city plopped down along Florida's southeastern coast will only set you up for disappointment — and you'll miss out on all the incredible things Fort Lauderdale has to offer.

Although the vibes in these two cities are completely different, both have some beautiful canals that are integral to the local community.

Fort Lauderdale is no dupe for Italy, but it's a wonderful pick if you're looking to enjoy some waterside dining and sunshine.