Motek plans a 315-seat beach restaurant at the W
Fort Lauderdale has a major beach dining plan, a familiar riverboat ownership change, and a weekend stack built around families and the arts.
Motek plans a 315-seat beach restaurant at the W
Motek By The Sea is planned for the W Fort Lauderdale Hotel, with 315 seats across indoor and outdoor dining areas overlooking Fort Lauderdale Beach. The size matters: this is not a tiny cafe tucked into a lobby, but a full-scale beach-corridor restaurant aimed at hotel guests, visitors and locals deciding whether a waterfront dinner is worth the parking math. The plan would add another Mediterranean name to the hotel dining circuit, where large openings can shift weekend traffic and reservation patterns. No opening date has been announced yet. (What Now Miami)
The Jungle Queen riverboat has new owners
The Jungle Queen, the sightseeing riverboat that runs along Fort Lauderdale's waterways with barbecue and dinner-show cruises, has changed hands. Details such as buyer, seller, price and closing date are still missing, so this reads as a stewardship change rather than a service change. The practical point: a familiar waterfront attraction has a new ownership chapter, and the operation continues to run cruises for visitors and locals booking family plans. (What Now Miami)
Lynora's is headed to Fort Lauderdale
Lynora's, an Italian restaurant founded in 1976, is bringing its classics to Fort Lauderdale. No opening date has been announced yet, so this is not a reservation plan. For diners, it means another established South Florida restaurant name is moving toward the city as Fort Lauderdale's restaurant map keeps filling in beyond the beach and downtown hotel corridors. (What Now Miami)
Shrek Jr. is on stage today at Broward Center
Shrek Jr.: A Summer Theater Camp Production is scheduled for today at the Broward Center. Because it is today, it is a last-call family theater note rather than a weekend plan. The local student-performance angle separates it from a touring Broadway stop, and it gives families a quick arts option if tickets and timing still work. (Broward Center events)
Sensory Saturday returns to NSU Art Museum
Sensory Saturday is scheduled for Saturday, July 11, at 9:30 a.m. at NSU Art Museum Fort Lauderdale. The free program is built for children on the autism spectrum ages 6 to 17 and their families. For parents and caregivers, the key details are the audience, museum setting and morning time; confirm final registration details before going. (Las Olas Boulevard events)
Broward Center adds a sensory-inclusive Shrek performance
A sensory-inclusive performance of Shrek the Musical JR. is scheduled for Saturday, July 11, at the Broward Center. The performance is designed for children with sensory sensitivities, which pairs naturally with NSU Art Museum's morning sensory program. Together, the museum morning and theater performance give families a clear Saturday option if they are looking for arts programming built around sensory access. (Broward Center events)
People Profile Awards comes to Broward Center
People Profile Awards 2026 is scheduled for Sunday, July 12, at the Broward Center. This is more of a civic-recognition night than a casual drop-in event, so it will matter most to people connected to the honorees, sponsors or community groups around it. It also widens the local calendar beyond restaurants and children's programming. (Broward Center events)
Art Prevails Project sets a July 17 performance
Art Prevails Project brings Yesterday and Tomorrow to the Broward Center on Friday, July 17. The performance centers the evolution of art and culture in the community, giving the later-July calendar a local arts item beyond touring pop acts. It belongs in save-the-date territory rather than this-weekend planning. (Broward Center events)
Moms-to-be Fair is planned at Broward Health
The 1st Annual Moms-to-be Fair is scheduled for Saturday, July 18, at 10 a.m. at the Broward Health Medical Center Auditorium. The free event is focused on mothers-to-be and safe delivery, making it a practical resource item for expecting families and people sharing local health information. Confirm registration and program details before attending. (Las Olas Boulevard events)
Bluey's Big Play heads to Broward Center
Bluey's Big Play comes to the Broward Center on Saturday, July 18. The familiar character makes this an easy family-calendar item to scan, especially for parents looking a week or two ahead. Check ticket availability, performance time and venue rules before making it the family plan. (Broward Center events)