Ethel M Chocolates Factory and Cactus Garden
Ethel M Chocolates Factory and Cactus Garden
Ethel M Chocolates Factory and Cactus Garden
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About
We are proud to offer fresh-crafted, locally-made, gourmet chocolate. Our preservative-free treats have been made fresh in Henderson, Nevada since 1981, and most of our ingredients are made on site. We also offer one of the world's largest cactus gardens, which we decorate annually for the holidays and Valentine's Day with hundreds of thousands of lights and festive designs. Ethel M Chocolates is a Mars, Inc. company. You may be familiar with other Mars products, like M&Ms, Snickers, Twix, Milky Way, and Dove, among others. But Ethel M Chocolates is the only gourmet, premium chocolate brand in the Mars portfolio. And it's made fresh, here in Henderson. Stop by!
Duration: 1-2 hours
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- karol452Edmonton, Canada991 contributionsVery TastyThere are 2 types of tastings here. Wine and chocolate tasting and a chocolate tasting. We sampled 4 different types of chocolate. The lady explained everything about chocolate making. Once the tasting was completed we got a 15% coupon to spend at the store. This store makes alot of different types of chocolate.Visited March 2024Travelled soloWritten 26 March 2024
- Heidi-ready-2-travelCrystal Lake, Illinois2,529 contributionsChocolate Tasting, Factory Tour, and CactusGreat experience!!! We did the chocolate tasting. Loved the overview on types of chocolate and detecting different ingredients. Very cool to see the machinery and different chocolate stations. Capped the experience with a walk through the cactus garden. Very interesting to see the different types of plants. Stopped in the gift shop for a quick purchase. We probably spent 3 hours total.Visited March 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 17 April 2024
- Lauren RWynantskill, New York439 contributionsDon't go on a SaturdayI am giving a 3 star review simply because the factory isn't running on the weekends which is kind of a bummer, but I understand. I just wish that I had seen information about it before hand because I would have chosen another day to go so we could see it in operation. The chocolate is delicious if you like European rich chocolate. You receive a free sample when you walk in. My children didn't love it, but I didn't expect them too. Prices are expensive, be prepared. We got a box of 24, and 3 candy bars and it cost a little over $80. They have so many different flavors! You can also purchase piece individually for $3 each, so it's cheaper to purchase a box. We enjoyed a quick walk through the cactus garden as well after.Visited April 2024Travelled with familyWritten 19 April 2024
- SirTravelaLot1972United States85 contributionsMimosa and Choc pairing was great fun.We really enjoyed the mimosa and chocolate pairing session. The chocolates were great, the stories were cute and the mimosas made sure we were having fun. We asked lots of questions and got lots of good answers. It maybe that we are nice people who know how to enjoy and appreciate things. The people complaining below are nit picking. Yes if you are the kind of person whose evening is ruined by having to to drink from a plastic shot glass… then don’t go !?!Visited July 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 30 June 2024
- DiazideasLas Vegas, Nevada124 contributionsChocolate Cravings SatisfiedChocolate Craving Satisfied! A little out of the way for us as we live up by Centennial area. Worth the drive to check out the Cactus botanical gardens and summer variety of tasty chocolate selections. We went on a Saturday and it wasn’t crowded; probably because it’s kind of in an isolated commercial area of Henderson. We like less crowded and I highly recommend a visit for the free samples and gardens. The factory is not totally up and running during the weekend except for the packing area but it was still ok for us. I recommend all the dark chocolate selections and they have some milkshakes and custom box choices. 12 for $40, 24 for $60 etc.They also give an ice pack to keep your chocolates from melting in the Vegas heat. Go to get your chocolate addiction fix!Visited August 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 3 August 2024
- ScaryDLas Vegas, Nevada18 contributionsVery fun chocolate and wine tastingMy family and I truly enjoyed the chocolate and wine tasting. Yes, it is simple, but very enjoyable. Amy was very personable and made the experience quite enjoyable. The chocolate to buy is expensive, but if you have never had a premium chocolate, there is definitely a difference. These are some of the best chocolates I have ever had in my life. We also learned about how they grow and process Cocoa beans which was interesting. You also get a 15% off coupon for the store from the tasting. The "factory tour" is disappointing as you do not see much. We went during the week around 1pm and very little was running. Would have enjoyed seeing them actually making the chocolate. But overall, we had a great time and left with some great chocolate treats. I definitely recommend.Visited August 2024Travelled with familyWritten 7 August 2024
- JRMADAUnited States3,461 contributionsDelicious ChocolatesThe chocolate here is delicious. Our visit was very brief as there isn't much to see or do here, but the chocolate is to die for. The staff is sooo friendly and helpful!!! We got a few samples and ended up buying over $100 worth of chocolate... Well worth it.Visited October 2024Travelled with familyWritten 15 October 2024
- Travel1142025 contributionsA Day to RememberWe went for the Chocolate tasting experience, which was interesting to learn more about how chocolates are made and the different flavours that are made and eat some samples. We then stayed late to see the Christamas lights show in the Cactus Garden. This was brilliant, it transforms the garden into a sea of lights which was spectacular to see. Do plan to include this in your trip, and if you have young children Santa is there as well. Their website gives you all the details. A final mention about the customer service, which was exceptional. All the staff were so welcoming and helpful all day. We had a problem arranging our transport back to the hotel (our fault) but a wonderful lady called Phyllis did everything she could to ensure we got back safely. We cannot thank her enough! I recommend you go, you will be thoroughly entertained and it will be a day to remember.Visited November 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 11 November 2024
- BriannaW2323Montgomery, Texas244 contributionsHoliday PairingWe went for a girls afternoon trip for holiday pairing with wine and chocolates. This place is incredibly clean and beautiful facility. Fun to learn on the history and try different samples. The chocolate is very rich but super flavorful! We stayed to see the holiday lights which was included in the pairing, and visited Santa! We did not have any issues getting an Uber back, but I know it is a bit further out.Visited November 2024Travelled with friendsWritten 18 November 2024
- 2013TravelinFoolMesquite, Nevada3,287 contributionsWhat a pleasant surpriseFriends had told us to make time to go to the Cactus Garden Christmas Holiday Lights. It was absolutely a stunning display of lights. Had hot chocolate at the end to warm up. Thank you for all the long hours of putting this on for the community!!!Visited December 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 4 December 2024
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4.0
1,771 reviews
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37
cherilynhack
Las Vegas, NV7 contributions
Dec 2020
Living in Las Vegas, I have heard about the Ethel M Cactus Garden Christmas Lights. This year, I was lucky to hear about the required reservations due to Covid and snagged a reservation. Invited several friends, but only one would accompany me. We made it two minutes late, but were welcomed with open arms and thermometer (for Covid testing). We dropped off the food bank donation (toys or food were suggested on their website).
Driving there, you do not see anything until you turn the final corner. The spectacular display just appears as you turn into the parking lot. And a glorious and welcome site it was.
Your reservation is for 15 minutes of walking and viewing the entirely decorated 3 acres of cactus gardens. You are welcomed with your choice of milk or dark chocolate piece of candy to get your energy up for the viewing.
There are identifying signs for various cacti that you see along the one way path (again, for Covid). Amazing to see these long cactus spines sticking out from trunks wrapped in colored lights.. Different presentations as the cactus changed. Lights in trees, cascading like water, filling up and starting again. One section had displays of blue and green jewel colored lights turned into a family of peacocks. (See photo.) Lots to notice if you take the time to stop and look with eyes of wonder like I did.
You don't have to enter the candy shop at the end of the viewing, if you don't want to. But we did. Tremendous variety in milk or dark chocolate and also sugar free. I selected a macadamia nut, Bailey's Irish Cream and coconut delight choice, all in dark chocolate. They were eaten in the car on the way home ! I blew my calorie count for the day, but it was a wonderful way to top off a totally sensory experience. My appointment was on Dec 28th, seeing all that beauty after Christmas did not matter for me, it might be different for children.
Convenient to freeways, depending on the route you choose. Nighttime is early at this time of year, so lights are spectacular for viewing. Dress warm, take your time, look every which way for different views from behind of displays you already passed. Take it all in and have as much fun as we did.
Driving there, you do not see anything until you turn the final corner. The spectacular display just appears as you turn into the parking lot. And a glorious and welcome site it was.
Your reservation is for 15 minutes of walking and viewing the entirely decorated 3 acres of cactus gardens. You are welcomed with your choice of milk or dark chocolate piece of candy to get your energy up for the viewing.
There are identifying signs for various cacti that you see along the one way path (again, for Covid). Amazing to see these long cactus spines sticking out from trunks wrapped in colored lights.. Different presentations as the cactus changed. Lights in trees, cascading like water, filling up and starting again. One section had displays of blue and green jewel colored lights turned into a family of peacocks. (See photo.) Lots to notice if you take the time to stop and look with eyes of wonder like I did.
You don't have to enter the candy shop at the end of the viewing, if you don't want to. But we did. Tremendous variety in milk or dark chocolate and also sugar free. I selected a macadamia nut, Bailey's Irish Cream and coconut delight choice, all in dark chocolate. They were eaten in the car on the way home ! I blew my calorie count for the day, but it was a wonderful way to top off a totally sensory experience. My appointment was on Dec 28th, seeing all that beauty after Christmas did not matter for me, it might be different for children.
Convenient to freeways, depending on the route you choose. Nighttime is early at this time of year, so lights are spectacular for viewing. Dress warm, take your time, look every which way for different views from behind of displays you already passed. Take it all in and have as much fun as we did.
Written 30 December 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Abby R
Tennessee24 contributions
Mar 2023
A nice way to spend an afternoon! The cacti in the garden are beautiful and it was great stumbling on this free activity. The garden itself is inside an industrial park, so it might be better to go during the day.
It is close to an airport so there were planes flying overheard every 2 minutes. Would recommend bringing ear plugs if you're hearing sensitive.
It is close to an airport so there were planes flying overheard every 2 minutes. Would recommend bringing ear plugs if you're hearing sensitive.
Written 19 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mike82941
Pinedale, WY9 contributions
Oct 2022
The Chocolate Shop is very friendly and there are prepackaged assortments of chocolates, or you can build your own 12 or 24 assortments. The adjoining Cactus Garden is worth seeing if you have not been there before. The chocolates themselves are very tasty but also small and very expensive. The 12 Piece box that we created was $35. $2.50 per piece and another $5 just for the box. The 3 box Hawaiian Host chocolate covered macadamia nuts that my wife just purchased at COSTCO were only $15.99 for 42 pieces or 38 cents per piece and are bigger and just as delicious!!
Written 10 November 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Moni R
1 contribution
Nov 2023 • Family
I went to take my 2 nieces (12 & 13 yrs old) to get sweets at the back cafe near an exit door. We were discriminated by a white employee working. It wasn’t busy and a bit empty on thanksgiving day. We are not white and when we approached the counter, a white girl with braces was to the left side moving things around and saw us but she didn’t greet us. We waited for awhile before she came to take our order. She wasn’t customer service friendly towards us but we didn’t think anything of it until after we paid and a white family came to order. She told us she will get our items so we waited to the side. She greeted the white family (3 adult white women and 1 adult white man with 2 kids) very warmly. She grabbed half of our order and placed it in front of the family asking them what they would like. She didn’t ask them to wait as she finished grabbing our items from the glass window of goods right by her side. One of the women asked us if these were ours so I grabbed and didn’t want to be rude and get in their space. The worker girl looked at me and continued to ask the other women taking their orders. She then told me to wait a bit longer for my other items. I thought maybe someone was bringing some fresh chocolate strawberries from the back instead of what’s in the window beside her. My nieces and I continue to wait and finally another worker comes and the girl who took our order tells her if she can grab our strawberries. The strawberries were grabbed from inside the window next to the girl who took our order so nothing from the back. There were no other customers after that family so it wasn’t busy. She didn’t want to help us from the start. She made us wait more than we should have for someone else to help us while she treated the white family with great service and care. It made no sense how she couldn’t finish grabbing strawberries from the same window she grabbed the marshmallows we ordered. Instead she made us wait to give priority to the white family who came after us. I hope she doesn’t treat other people like this who are not white and come to the store to purchase items. It’s sad my nieces had to feel that prejudice and what she did. I called the store and was told her name was Aliyah. She was working early evening shift on thanksgiving day. Ethel chocolate is not worth going to with racist employees like Aliyah.
Written 25 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
biw766
Henderson, NV46 contributions
Dec 2023 • Couples
Always fun for us to walk the lighted cactus garden during the holidays. Lots (lots!) of people go and the line is long. We waited 35 minutes to get in. The staff was good at crowd control and there were no problems with the line. Just before the pay booth ($2 per person charge), we got wanded with metal detectors which was new to us this year. People were well behaved and the whole experience was very pleasant.
Written 16 December 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gaylen N
SLC, Utah2 contributions
May 2024 • Couples
We were excited to ho thru the walking chocolate tour only to see absolutely no one working. Work stations abandoned. After asking why there was no tour, we were told. Oh " I think they just work Mon to Thurs. Thus info was No where on the website. Furyher more, after we had purchased $80 worth of chocolate and were told we earned a free large bar. Upon seeing the bar offered contained rum. We asked for a different choice and the guy literally said no. "It was that one or nothing". I was amazed and shocked at the dismissive and rude attitude. Be certain, we will never cone there again, and we will certainly encourage any friends or family to stay clear of Ethyl M chocolate factory. We are highly disappointed in your company and your help.
Written 25 May 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Deborah B
Las Vegas, NV5 contributions
Dec 2023 • Friends
Ethel M is one of my favorites and this time of the year is special with the Cactus garden lit up, but the Chocolate tasting was not worth the money. We did the Holiday Chocolate tasting - no wine- class and it was just average. I would not recommend this part of the factory at all - but the rest is a must see
Written 30 December 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Heather
Las Vegas, NV1,617 contributions
Dec 2024 • Friends
I went to a chocolate and wine tasting and it was a great experience. The employee hosting it was knowledgeable and engaging, and there are 5 tastings included in the experience. You get a discount at their store afterwards if you're interested in purchasing any of the chocolates (which you should, they're delicious).
Written 28 December 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
smjreader
Chicago, IL151 contributions
Nov 2021 • Family
This candy company produces wonderful batches of chocolate candies and has been on my list to visit since receiving a gift box from a friend. We visited during their first week of their Holiday Lights annual event that runs thru the New Year. It was quite elaborate! Even better, it is FREE and all you need to do is make a reservation so people can be spaced out. They had a food truck, live entertainment, and a Santa photo opportunity. They had plenty of staff to assist with taste testing, answering any questions you had, and they sold an excellent very smooth hot chocolate in 2 sizes (get large!). The men in our family enjoyed the Classic Pecan Brittle! I purchased a box of delicious truffles in dark, milk and white chocolate but they have many more flavored truffles as well as lots of other candy options. It is a little expensive but they use only quality ingredients and make everything at this factory. The nice thing about visiting is getting to see items/sizes, to ask questions of staff, and a chance to get smaller amounts like the Classic Pecan Brittle as gifts to take home for separate gifts. It was a bonus at this time of year to see a Christmas in the Desert Holiday Lights event too!
Written 16 November 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AB
59 contributions
Jan 2024 • Solo
Good points: Cactus garden is ok. Rang a taxi for me.
Bad points:
1. Cactus garden needs to be bigger.
2. The self-guided factory tour is bad as you can't tell what the people are doing and the writing is in white on a clear glass window so hard to read.
3. I paid for the chocolate tasting experience. Out of 5 chocolates only one tasted amazing and for the price the tasting experience wasn't great and felt short.
4. Keep in mind I paid $50 for the taxi getting there and then the journey onwards it isn't worth it if you are on the strip and get a taxi. Only go there if you have a hired car or drive your own.
Bad points:
1. Cactus garden needs to be bigger.
2. The self-guided factory tour is bad as you can't tell what the people are doing and the writing is in white on a clear glass window so hard to read.
3. I paid for the chocolate tasting experience. Out of 5 chocolates only one tasted amazing and for the price the tasting experience wasn't great and felt short.
4. Keep in mind I paid $50 for the taxi getting there and then the journey onwards it isn't worth it if you are on the strip and get a taxi. Only go there if you have a hired car or drive your own.
Written 14 January 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
What accommodations can this place make for people with a peanut allergy?
Thank you.
Written 5 February 2023
Hello Sarah, I'm actually not sure about what they can do for a peanut allergy. I'm sure that they do have options but it would be best to call and ask them directly. Regardless, the cactus garden alone is amazing and I highly recommend checking it out! Best of luck to you and I hope you visit this cool little place!
Written 8 February 2023
#1 how far is it from the strip (ceasars) and #2 is it worth the time and money to see a few cactus and a store?
Written 13 February 2019
It’s about 20 minutes away depending on the time of day. I’d say it’s worth the trip if you are really into Seeing how chocolate foods come to life. As fas the Cactus garden, I haven’t had the pleasure of touring the grounds but if you are a nature lover, I’d stop by. The hot chocolate is really good.
Written 14 February 2019
#1 how far is it from the strip (ceasars) and #2 is it worth the time and money to see a few cactus and a store?
Written 13 February 2019
You need a car to get there but it's not that far depending where on the Strip you're staying. I think it's worth the trip though. It's not just a store and cactus garden. If you go to Groupon, get a Groupon for about $10, you can go to a chocolate tasting there which is very informative and fun. It last about 40 to 45 minutes. And if you go early, you can see candy begin made in the factory. And at Christmas time, it's so beautiful because they actually decorate the cactus with hundreds of colorful lights. Now that's a nice time with lots of people so go early.
It's a fun trip so try it.
Written 14 February 2019
It is free to visit the garden and the shops. You can pay extra to have a chocolate tasting class.
Written 7 August 2018
Jashinta D
Las Vegas, Nevada
If its a garden are pets allowed to go through the walking paths?
Written 2 December 2017
No pets unless service animals.
Written 2 December 2017
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