Ethel M. Chocolate Factory

Information

At a Glance

What is it?

A self-guided walking tour of the chocolate factory that produces fine chocolate. Feel free to drool. You won’t be the first.

Where is it?

In Henderson, about a 20-25 minute drive from The Strip.

Is it worth the cost?

It’s free and it’s all about chocolate so I say absolutely! However it is quite aways from The Strip so if you don’t have a car at your disposal it isn’t worth a cab ride there and back.

What else do I need to know?

They give out free samples here but they are very small, which is wrong in so many ways I don’t know where to begin. There’s also a cactus garden outside the factory filled with some really beautiful plants and flowers that’s worth a look if you need a break from the slot machine bells and lights.

What’s the bottom line?

This is one of the better factory tours but only because I love chocolate.

Full Review

I’m not sure why I need to say anything other than “free chocolate” to convince you that this place is worth a visit but I suppose I can be a little bit more specific.

Ethel M. is owned by the Mars Corporation, making M&M’s and 3 Musketeers its cousins. They make more upscale chocolates, falling somewhere north of See’s and a little bit south of Godiva.

The chocolate factory has a self-guided tour that allows you to see into the factory (hello chocolate factory workers!) and follow along with how the ingredients become the chocolaty goodness at the end of the line.

That line, of course, dumps you out into the massive gift shop, which has all sorts of treats available for purchase, but yes… you get a free sample for having visited. Is it worth driving all the way out to Henderson for a free piece of chocolate. I say yes, but I’ll drive across state lines for free chocolate so you probably shouldn’t trust me.

Outside the factory is a large cactus garden with over 300 species of cacti and succulents that is lovely to look at provided it isn’t nine billion degrees outside. During the holiday season they dress all the plants up with Christmas tree lights and have choirs and other entertainment.

The factory is located in Henderson, about a 20 minute drive (depending on traffic) from The Strip. Tours of both the factory and the gardens are free.