Old Island House and Garden Tours

Key West is bustling with people from all over the world choosing our little island to celebrate the holiday season.  Numerous activities and events abound, however one of the favored December events for visitors, that love the Keys architecture and the tropical foliage, is the Old Island House and Garden Tours.  This tour offers visitors a great opportunity to visit and tour some the the most fabulous and ecelectic homes in Key West.  From elegant Victorian homes, to cozy cigar makers cottages to artist studios the Old Island House and Garden Tours takes you on a tour that incorporates Keys history with design finesse.  The event takes place this upcoming weekend, December 28 & 29, 5-8pm.  Tickets are $30 and can be purchased at https://oirf.org/ticketpay.php.  Tickets are  also available at 322 Duval Street or by calling 305-294-9501. During tour hours, tickets will be sold at the featured houses – cash or check, please.  If other holiday activities interfere, remember that you do not have to see all the houses in one night. Splitting your visits over two nights and taking them out-of-order is permitted.  For more information on this intriguing tour and to view details on each home and for a map of the tour route, visit:  http://www.oirf.org/event.php?id=5. Enjoy the holiday season and best wishes for the New Year!

Christmas Week Events in Key West

The holiday season is a fabulous time to visit Key West, and certainly the Mermaid & The Alligator puts you in the holiday spirit.  The home stands glorious covered with festive decorations, groups of carolers pass by the Inn each evening in the Conch Train singing out their hearts, Caya and Havana sport their holiday garb and the little city is bustling with activity.  If visiting Key West for the holiday week, you may have a difficult time deciding which activity to choose from.  There is the amazing Nutcracker ballet, where professional dancers, along with local dancers and local children partake in this Christmas classic that will take your breath away.  There is the Annual Christmas Concert at the St Pauls Cathedral, featuring Key West's finest talents, there is local Theater, Christmas Dinner specials and Christmas Eve mass at St. Marys.  We love Christmas in the Keys and are happy to help our guests choose activities.  Talk to your concierges, Geri and Rebecca and let them guide you to some truly wonderful holiday events that take place over Christmas.  Our little island boasts a great community and the holidays brings out the best of it! 

The Key West Lighted Boat Parade

Don't miss the Key West Lighted Boat Parade,  this upcoming Saturday night, Dec 15th at 8pm.   The Lighted Boat Parade an annual affair that combines with the Harbor Walk of Lights to celebrate the Holiday season. Each year a variety of boats decorate their sails, masts, and hulls with lights and festive cheer. There is an official judge’s stand along with a serious competition for the Best Nautical Holiday Decorations in Key West. 2012 marks the 22nd annual Key West Lighted Boat Parade and it will be hosted on December 15th at 8pm. The judge’s stand is located at the Schooner Wharf Bar & Galley while the lighted boat parade travels through the Key West Bight.  Join in on our island festival and enjoy the creativity and unique nature of an island-style holiday celebration.  Just a 10 minute walk from the Mermaid & The Alligator ask Geri and Rebecca for directions.  See you there!!

The Annual Key West Holiday Parade

The holiday season is certainly one of the favorite times at the Mermaid and the Alligator.  The grand old home comes alive, decked in its Holiday splendor ready to greet visitors, friends and family alike.  The Inn is bustling with holiday cheer.  Geri is baking goodies in the kitchen, Caya and Havanna are wearing their reindeer horns, the staff prepares each room lovingly and Dean decorates the entire house inside and out humbly knowing that if he enters the Lighted House Competition we will be awarded first place once again!   For our guests it is a holiday they will never forget.  On the Friday night, Dec 7th the Inn is hosting the Historic Lighted Inn Tour and on Saturday, Dec 8th, Dean and Paul host the Christmas party of the year.  Friends and family, along with the Inn guests, gather to to laugh, dance, eat and be merry and all join to watch the Key West Annual Holiday Parade as it heads down Truman Ave. Our local parade is a fabulous small town parade with the community showing off its holiday cheer.  The parade starts at 7pm and heads up Truman Ave. A joyous time to be had! Happy Holidays to All from the Mermaid & Alligator!!!

10th Annual Holiday Historic Inn Tour

Key West is truly an enchanting place to visit over the holidays. Known for its historic homes and inns, Key West comes alive with a celebratory spirit as the old homes boast holiday lights and stand tall adorned in wreaths, bows bells and more. Join in on the 10th Annual Holiday Historic Inn Tour and view some of Key Wests finest Inns decorated for the season, featuring art, fine food and refreshment. Touring dates are Friday, December 7th or Friday December 14th, between 6-9pm. Tickets are $30 per person for one of the touring evenings of your choice. The Inns are within walking and biking distance of one another. When visiting an Inn, the tours are self guided, so you may explore at your leisure, enjoy the festivities and get into the spirit of the holidays. The Mermaid & The Alligator enjoys welcoming visitors from the island and offering them a chance to see the property.  Mermaid guests can enjoy our Inn and orderves for free, and if you choose to visit other beautiful Key West Inns you can purchase a ticket from us, or go to keywestinns.com for more information and schedule.