The chocolate tasting was wonderful. I loved the peanut butter truffle and the lemon satin dark chocolate truffle. My partner was very appreciative that I brought him a bar of the latter. Yum! read more

Ethel M Chocolates - The peanut butter one, halfway through - Botanical Gardens Near Me - Henderson, Nevada

Wow, I'm so glad I got to stop by Ethel M before I went back home! I've seen the Ethel M chocolate bars at the candy shops in Vegas, but didn't know there was also a chocolate factory there. My friends and I initially came here for the Christmassy cactus garden, but we got there before it opened so we decided to check out the chocolate store. I had no intention of buying chocolate, but I couldn't resist when I tried their samples. I got a custom box of chocolates and thought 12 for $35 was really steep, but decided to splurge since it was a treat. Well, the chocolates were so good I finished the box in 3 days and ended up ordering more online since they currently have free shipping over $50 LOL. My favorite is the peanut shaped chocolate with pb-- OMG it is to die for. The pb is made in house with simple ingredients and is soo creamy. Very different from other PB chocolates that I've tried. I actually ordered a custom box with only the PB chocolate. The lady at the counter gave us samples and even explained how we should eat it (close your eyes and pinch your nose when you take the first bite). She was really passionate and informative and really good at selling haha. I also like the macadamia salute (both dark and milk chocolate are fantastic) and the almond brittle. Definitely give these a try if you're not sure what to get! After we got our chocolates, we went to the cactus garden, which is so nice and reminds me of Christmas in the Park. It was a lot bigger than I thought, and there's also a small eating area with a food truck that serves Costco food. The ticket to get in the garden was $1 and well worth it. Overall, very fun experience and perfect for date night! read more

Ethel M Chocolates - Giant chocolate wall - Botanical Gardens Near Me - Henderson, Nevada

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The staff are friendly and there are even samples. We went during the day an d found the gardens to be a little lackluster. Many of the chocolates were very good, but after receiving our bill we found out that if we returned in 60 days we would get 15% off our next purchase by brining the slip back (apparently it also works online). Had I known this, I would have only purchased some of the chocolates at the beginning of our trip and come back for more later... a little disappointed I did not know this trick. We purchased some truffles (where you get to choose the individual pieces at the counter). Also purchased Chocolate Caramelized Pecans, but I found these to be a bit sweet, I think the layer of chocolate + caramelization is too much of a good thing. The Chocolate Eggnogg Bar was limited edition so I had to get that long with the Kona Espresso Ganache Bar which was something unusual. Overall the truffles won my heart hands down, and the ornate cactus box didn't hurt. Highly recommend this place, but make two trips as per above to maximize discounts! read more

I really like how the Ethel Cactus Garden does the cute set ups for the Winter Holidays & Valentine's Day holiday months. Literally, only $1-5 entry only. I went to the Holiday one in Dec 2021. Very nice to see all the decorations & lights. Good amount of missile toes & photo background areas. Lots of red, white, greens & silvers. Good amount of sight seeing around the park. Same goes for the Valentines themed. Red, purple, pink colors were on point, photo areas. Very cute. We went in 2022. Free parking & usually will always find parking. And of course in the meantime, buy some Ethel Chocolates for the occasions. :) read more

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This is my holiday tradition. We come here, Thanksgiving evening, to have hot chocolate and walk in the gardens. This is everything to my sense of what is good & right with the world. While I'm at it, the staff is really amazing. The woman who greeted us at the door set the entire tone for the Season and made us feel certain that experiencing a tasting is the way to spend a special day. The ladies at the circular station were merry and welcoming, and everyone else was equally wonderful. I love this place! This is the epitome of a desert Christmas. read more

Ethel M Chocolates - Lights - Botanical Gardens Near Me - Henderson, Nevada

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This is a review of Ethel M's Chocolate & Wine Tasting experience which is $35 per person; for two of us, it cost $80.06. Ethel M's chocolates are top-notch, made with premium ingredients. I've been buying Ethel M chocolates since the early 1990's. They were always a premium brand; i.e., expensive. Before our tasting yesterday, we spent some time in the gift shop. Their chocolates are basically $2 each now. I booked the tasting on-line without difficulty. Then I got sick so I had to reschedule. The phone was answered promptly and the gentleman who helped me was very nice. Moved it out a week, no problem. We were greeted by Yardley who is delightful. She took a couple of photos for us. She suggested I wash my hands before we begin, because we'd be touching the chocolate before eating it. She reminded me that we would get 15% off any purchases we made that day. Hubby and I had arrived early, so we went into the gift shop. I had a free sample. I asked a question about the liqueur chocolates and was given an answer -- a $55 answer! The manager (I presume) was standing nearby. She then came over and told me about a smaller box of the liqueur chocolates AND about the 5-piece option. Way better information than the 'clerk' had provided. She too reminded me that, after our tasting, to bring our [something, can't think of the word] into the shop and get 15% off. Our Taster was Vic. Vic is knowledgeable and personable. However, he can be a bit pedantic. We're guests looking for a fun experience; we're not studying for our SATs and you're not our Tutor. When we both say, "I don't know," it's time to tell us the answer, not make us try again. You'll see some "place mats" that were awaiting our arrival. We were not told how to use them, nor did we use them. The $40 per person experience includes four chocolates, four tiny plastic cups of wine and a bottle of water. Vic included a fifth chocolate, his favorite: Prickly Pear. It was fabulous! The tasting was informative re Ethel M history and interesting. My biggest complaint is the plastic cups. If I have tasted wine at one vineyard (and I have), I have tasted wine hundreds of times at vineyards and in tasting rooms. Winemakers NEVER serve wine in plastic because plastic has its own distinctive smell which detracts from the smell of the wine. Smell is a huge part of taste. Why give customers some of the most expensive chocolates there are, and then fill plastic cups to the brim (with no room for swirling to release the bouquet) with wine?? It makes no sense. Shame on Mr. Mark Markey, their Chief Chocolatier. He should know better. Other than the Port, which was served with the Turtle, I could never smell the wine. The smell of the plastic hid the wine's bouquet. Use glass! It'll make the experience worth the $35. It'll allow guests to actually pair the wine and the chocolate. And you'll put way less plastic into a landfill. The chocolates are definitely 5 star. I'll give Vic 4 stars. But the tiny plastic cups are 1-star. So we end up with a 3-star review of this Experience. BTW: Even at 15% off, and after eating six pieces of chocolate, I had no desire to buy any more, not at $1.70 each. read more

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Nevada's largest cactus collection stands outside a candy mogul's modest factory. A must-do if you're visiting Las Vegas for the first time. Wheelchair accessible entrance and parking lot. Good clean fun. Staff are very welcoming and helpful. I will be recommending this place to others coming from out of town, especially families or couples. read more

Ethel M Chocolates - Botanical Gardens Near Me - Henderson, Nevada

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Attended a chocolate & wine tasting and it was so much fun. The chocolates are delicious and we bought some to go too! Thank you, Mindy, for a great tasting. Thank you Enid for such a warm welcome into the shop! read more

The gentleman who welcomed us was very knowledgeable and friendly. He provided samples of their chocolate. We did a self guided tour. They also offer paid tour with wine and chocolate pairing. I will definitely come back at night to see all the lights turned on at the garden and try the paid tour. We also saw a demo on how to make chocolate covered pretzels. While paying for my purchases, I asked the lady at the counter if they did mail-order, and she handed me the holiday catalog so I could order online. Chocolate selection was great. Overall, the experience was great and pleasant because employees made it possible. read more

Ethel M Chocolates - Darh chocolate - Botanical Gardens Near Me - Henderson, Nevada

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Delicious chocolates...so creamy and rich. The milkshake was so good. Cactus garden was beautiful, too.

This place has on my list of place to visit. Now that I rented a car I drove over to the location for a chocolate factory tour & tasting. The cactus garden was really cool. The staff were so friendly. The place is beautiful & the chocolate is divine. The chocolate & wine tasting is so worth it. The staff were knowledgeable & fun. read more

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I had such a lovely time here, and thank you to all the staff who were also lovely! I highly recommend stopping here, even if just to pop into the store but I really recommend spending more time here. Upon entering, there is a small gift area where you also check in if you have a tasting booked. There's also a much larger gift shop down the hall where you can get customized boxes, picking how many pieces of which flavors you want, and they offer a huge variety of flavors, way more than I was expecting. They also have a small cafe stand that has cupcakes, brownies, hot chocolate, and some other snacks. I got a small hot chocolate and it was so melty and thick, but not too thick. It's for-real legit hot chocolate (not the more common instant stuff that's watery). Along the store areas are huge glass windows where you can see where the chocolates are made. It's a relatively small space, so it's a short self-guided tour of sorts, and if you're there during normal business hours, you can see workers making chocolates, dipping strawberries in chocolate, etc. It's pretty neat. I did a chocolate tasting here which consisted of 4 pieces of chocolate - passionfruit caramel, blood orange, peanut butter, and lemon. All were dark chocolate except peanut butter, which was milk chocolate. The tasting is great for chocolate lovers as well as people who might not normally like dark chocolate, because their dark chocolate is relatively low (I think 52%) in cacao, so it doesn't have the slight bitterness that more typical dark chocolates have. The person running the tasting was so nice and informative and was able to answer everyone's questions. The tasting overall was really nicely done. They also have a wine pairing option to go with each chocolate. I didn't do that but others in our tasting who did the wine pairing said the wines were great choices, that they paired very well with the chocolates. In the evening, starting at 5p (maybe only certain times of the year?) the cactus garden outside is lit up with colorful string lights and it's really pretty to walk through. The cactus garden also has lots of nice photo op places, and a nice big area with a sort of food truck stand, artificial turf, and lots of picnic tables. It's a great place to relax with chocolate snacks. Spent about 90 minutes here altogether, and I'm looking forward to coming back with more family/friends who haven't been here yet. It's a really enjoyable attraction for people of all ages. Pretty affordable too - the chocolate tasting I did (w/o wine pairings) was around $30, and with the tasting you get 15% off in their shop! read more

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My family and I did the holiday chocolate tasting with the wine . Fantastic experience with my children. read more

Great service but really disappointed tonight. The family was really bummed. While it is drizzling half the lights were off, the back hot cocoa area was closed and after getting there they said it was subject to close at anytime. Really miss the exhibits and lights from prior years. Need to do better and try harder. read more

The Chocolate factory is amazing. It's been a few years since and we decided to stop here with family from out of town and it wasn't a disappointment. Mind you, we stopped here on Thanksgiving. The garden is well kept and beautifully decorated. There is a Santa station for pictures and a rest area to get some light snacks. We made sure to swing by the store to get a sample. Definitely make time to stop here for the holidays, it's so worth it. read more

Ethel M Chocolates - Botanical Gardens Near Me - Henderson, Nevada

Christmas treat- Chocolate and wine taste testing! Yes! Cept they ran out of some of the specialty chocolates, but did a great job substituting! Great pairing with delicious wines. read more

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Such a fun and cute experience. We did a chocolate tasting (by appointment) and learned about the history of the business and how to use all senses when eating chocolate. Afterwards, we went to the shop and got some chocolate boxes and dipped strawberries from the store. We also walked around the cactus garden which was all decorated for the holidays. The place was almost empty, but we were told it gets super crowded at night since they turn the holiday lights on and the wait can be several hours to get in. read more

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This is a cute place to look at Christmas lights with family or even a date night. There is a $2 entrance fee donation. We went around 8pm and there was a pretty long line. It took about 20 mins to get in. You can grab hot chocolate in the beginning inside the actual chocolate factory. If you miss it, there is a chance to get some in the actual cactus garden as well. They have some seating areas inside and various photo op sections. There is also an area to take pictures with Santa if you would like. Would definitely recommend coming here. read more

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A short drive outside of Las Vegas in the town of Henderson, you can find this sweet spot. Literally. Entering the factory, we were greeted and offered a complimentary chocolate of either milk, dark or white. How lovely! You can walk through the short self guided tour where big glass windows separate you from all the magic and machinery. On the walls are step by step details on how the chocolate is made and the process the chocaletiers perfect. Then, walk into the small, but plentiful gift shop and packaged chocolates. The packaging is absolutely gorgeous and thoughtful. As for the chocolates, they're not my favorite, but some of the creations are really unique and interesting. They even have some liquer infused specialty chocolates, but beware they are strong and potent. We chose twelve different specialty chocolates which set us back $35. Unfortunately, only a couple of them were decent with the others being too powerful in flavor. As most would agree, the cactus garden is the highlight of visiting Ethel M. Chocolates. There are tons of cacti species and most of them I've never seen or heard of before. It's quite incredible to see how they all differ in size, shape and color. It's also very well maintained and a quaint, quiet spot away from the bustling city. All in all, Ethel M. Chocolates has made a great home here in Henderson and the drive is well worth the visit. read more

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If you're looking for the cutest gift in town, this is the place! Their chocolate boxes make the perfect treat -- not only are they beautifully packaged, but the chocolate is truly the tastiest ever. A must-visit for gifts or just to treat yourself! read more

Great decor. Cactus garden was all lit up for Christmas. Super great vibe. Don't forget they sell amazing stuff in their gift shop!!! Chocolates are so tasty and didn't disappoint. The employees are super helpful. read more

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What a fantastic gem in Henderson! Fun fact: this is M & M's Hugh end boutique chocolate. You can take a little tour in the factory window and even book a tasting with wine or without wine. The place is very clean and has seating areas inside to look outside their cactus garden. The son of Ethel M. retired in Henderson and just fell in love with the desert landscape. The cacti garden is charming and wonderful when in bloom. Definitely be prepared to purchase a lovely box of chocolates for yourself or friends and family. They have a great selection of unique and classic chocolate in beautiful boxes. The cinnamon pecan, white chocolate pumpkin spice, and coconut with dark chocolate are my favorites. Truffles are available too. Their website is very user friendly and I will be having them on my list for gift giving for the holidays for sure. The canoli was really good too. The chocolate being premium does not have preservatives or very little in it so they will have a shorter shelf life, but they won't last long once they are in your hands because they are so good. The staff is wonderful in educating the history of Ethel M. and are so helpful in recommending products. Check out their seasonal drinks, from hot chocolate in the colder months to a frozen hot chocolate shake for the warmer months. Highly recommend. read more

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My husband and I booked a chocolate holiday tasting and just got home. We were absolutely blown away by Amy. She was knowledgeable, personable and passionate about Ethel M chocolates! The holiday tasting consisted of history about Ethel M and some chocolate history and 4 samples of chocolates. It was a great deal at 30 dollars! They do offer a wine pairing during the tasting that we did not do but I'm sure is an even more elevated experience. We went to the last tasting of the night- 8:30 and we were the only 2 there making it an even more personal experience. At the end you get a certificate and 15% off any purchase oh and a "fast pass" into the cactus garden. We went through the garden before the tasting so it wasn't necessary but would definitely be valuable when it gets busy around 5-7pm! The cactus garden is lovely lit up for Christmas! The admission is 2 dollars which is donated to 2 local charities so it all goes to a good cause. Overall a great trip! We'll be back for more tasting classes soon. Especially if Amy is there! read more

Ethel M Chocolates - Tasting - Botanical Gardens Near Me - Henderson, Nevada

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Want something free to do while you are in Vegas? Ethel M Chocolates has a cool cactus garden that has plaques describing the foliage and historical information. It's a great little walkway that you can meander around as you watch the planes coming in directly overhead (yes, this is on the current incoming flight path), but that is actually kinda cool. Then, make sure that you go inside the factory, where you'll be greeted with a small free chocolate sample and a free self-guided tour, ending up in the gift shop. Now, here is where you'll probably not end up having this trip be free, as you'll want to buy some incredible chocolate! read more

Ethel M Chocolates - Just outside is a cool cactus garden! - Botanical Gardens Near Me - Henderson, Nevada

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My mom and I had the absolute pleasure of attending a chocolate and mimosa tasting, and it turned out to be one of the most delightful and unexpectedly insightful experiences we've shared together. From the moment we arrived, the ambiance set the perfect tone, everyone was so kind. Super relaxed, making it easy to enjoy each tasting and soak in the chocolate. Amy was incredibly knowledgeable, walking us through each pairing with fascinating details about flavor profiles, ingredient origins, and how different types of chocolate interact with sparkling wines. She made it fun and it was educational in the best way. The standout pairing for myself was the lychee mimosa with the lemon satin crème chocolate. It was absolutely divine. The delicate sweetness of the lychee balanced beautifully with the citrusy, velvety richness of the lemon crème. It was the kind of pairing that makes you pause mid-sip to just savor the moment. Try this experience while it lasts for the summer months! I hope to do the beer and chocolate pairing soon! The gardens are lovely. Go before it's too hot to enjoy the lovely cacti! read more

The presentation was done well with great knowledge and humor. The chocolate was amazing! I would recommend more comfortable chairs. But overall, an excellent experience! read more

Chocolates and desserts and deserts - oh my!! I was super stoked to visit a chocolate and cacti visitor center. Two fun sight-seeing objectives at one location? Sign me up! Parking was ample. The venue was easy to find, with a clear directory sign/map near the entrance. Once our party entered, the staff immediately welcomed us and gave helpful information about the self-guided chocolate tour and history of the shop. The sample chocolate received was not too sweet and full of good cocoa flavoring, without tasting overpowering. I liked it so much, I bought the chocolate I tried (along with some flavored chocolate bars. I'm also happy I can order online! Happy I got to visit. I highly recommend a trip here! read more

Ethel M Chocolates - Truffle Chocolates - Botanical Gardens Near Me - Henderson, Nevada

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The tour and tasting is a wonderful experience everyone would enjoy. I plan on reserving a spot again next year!

We did the chocolate tasting last evenin. David was our guide and he did a great job with interesting information about the founders and the candy-making process. His comments and incites enhanced the tasting experience. It was well worth our time. Very enjoyable! The cacti garden and Christmas lights beforehand made for a lovely experience! read more

I did the chocolate and wine tasting with my mom and we had such a good time. first of all walking up the cactus Gardens were so beautiful, and the factory itself is decorated so cozy. They had Christmas trees and the smell of chocolate along with the self guided tour was great, but the tasting itself was done so tastefully. I love the structure, the education and variety of chocolate that we got to taste along with making notes about the flavors, the textures and other aspects about each bite. if you're looking for something to do with your girlfriends or a mother-daughter outing, I would highly recommend. it's great for the entire family and will definitely go back next year. read more

1/10/22 M&M recently updated their store on the strip by adding an advertisement of this place, which is owned by the same parent company. Glad we came, it was a good field trip. Copy and Paste from their website: "Today, Ethel M Chocolates are still made in small batches with no artificial preservatives, using only the freshest and finest ingredients. This is the best chocolate experience in Las Vegas, Nevada. With exclusive experiences like our premium chocolate and wine tastings, our self-guided factory viewing aisle, our three-acre cactus garden, and our gourmet gift shop, this is an unforgettable free visit to a Las Vegas getaway. We look forward to seeing you soon!" Quality/Quantity - Free self tour of the cactus garden. Free samples. Atmosphere - Free easy parking. Place is huge. Free self tours of both the garden and production area. Very clean bathrooms. Service - All the employees were friendly. They actually had so many employees, with little to no customers. Of course, today is a Monday. And the entire world is hungover from the 49ers and Raiders playing in overtime and winning yesterday!! All the employees stayed busy working and cleaning. Price - Free, I wanted to buy gifts for our friends, but my daughter said we already bought too many... Owner Suggestion - Keep up the good work. read more

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This place is awesome! If you're looking for a free activity to do in Las Vegas, the chocolate factory is definitely one to check out. It was cool learning about the history of Ethel M and how the company started. You do get a free chocolate sample at the entrance and you will end up leaving with something from the store. I ended up buying a variety of 5 small chocolate bars for $20 as well as two of their speciality bars for $9. I was incredibly pleased with the workers here. They were all super friendly and made my experience enjoyable. They even packed the chocolate with an ice pack to keep them cool! After the chocolate tour, you can check out their beautiful cactus garden. My experience here was 5/5 and I will be a recurrent customer at Ethel M. read more

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This place is so stingy now it's so sad don't even try to ask for a sample. I went here and bought some Choclate they won't give you anything not like they used to any coupons any samples it's just feels like over priced Choclate a with awful customer service I don't know what happened read more

Overall experience was amazing. Our chocolatier Miss Mindy was very informative and personable. She had a very kind demeanor as well. After doing our private tasting, we did a quick tour along the glass windows. The ambiance was great and we were able to take very cute pictures with the designs on the walls. At the end, we got some great goodies at the gift shop and everyone was very kind and cheerful. The samples were also great! Would def recommend doing the private tasting. read more

Now that we are back to living in the Vegas Valley after 7 years in other states, we had to go back to see Ethel M's Holiday Cactus Garden Lights. It was always busy during the holidays, and tonight seemed to be the same. Cars were parking in lots around Ethel M's without even trying to find a spot at the factory, including us. When we walked a bit to get to the cactus garden, we were surprised by how many empty parking spots there were. Oh well, we always need the exercise. The garden is beautiful. It is amazing how many lights are put on cactuses and trees. I would not want to be the person putting lights on some of those prickly pear cacti. It's enjoyable and only a $5 charge. They ask for donations, so my wife, a professor of children's literacy, brought about 12 brand new children's books for donation. At the end of the tour, you can go into the Ethel M factory and gift shop. They give a free sample upon entering, which makes you definitely want to buy more chocolate! The chocolate is not cheap, but it is exceptional. The Ethel M store could be better organized with an easy-to-spot cash register for people with box chocolates to check out as compared to having the payment lines mixed with people who are ordering individual chocolates. A fun experience that had a lot of families enjoying the tour with the ability to meet Santa Claus and have a photo opportunity. read more

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As we entered the flagship store, we were offered a choice of milk chocolate or dark chocolate. My dark chocolate was rich and good. There was a self guided tour of the the chocolate factory. It was interesting to look at chocolate making machines and tools . It ended at the sales center before exit. Many different flavors of chocolates were available. We got: 5*Strawberry dipped in chocolate: strawberry was big and fresh. Very good, limited calories than other chocolates. I would get it again. 4*Chocolate Cannoli: very good and lots of calories. At first I thought Cactus Garden was some kind of gimmick to attract tourists. It turned out to be a sizable garden with many different kinds of cactus and lava rocks. It was well maintained. I was pleasantly surprised. It definitely worth going to see the cactus and to try great chocolates. read more

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We made a quick stop for the limited edition chocolate bars. Some of the chocolates are pretty high-end, pricey given the quality. They're so good though :) We always do the self-guided tour. Normally, afternoons are not busy, seems like they're done with the chocolate making by then. It can get packed during the holidays. The employees were always nice and friendly. We live about 3 miles from this place so we love going to Ethel M especially around the holidays! :) We enjoy the Christmas lights along with the best hot chocolate we've ever had!!! We can't wait for the lights! We also have done chocolate tasting, available on Groupon :) Parking: Plenty outside (but full during the holidays) *Favorite: Chocolate Cappuccino!!! (They used to have Mexican hot chocolate, which I really liked) read more

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Ethel Ms has the real Santa! He brings magic to my heart every year. I was sad to miss him last year due to Covid. This year, as it is all outside, he doesn't have to wear a mask and the children don't have to either. They can't sit on his lap but they could still have a normal conversation and have a picture taken without masks on. You can take your own pictures without flash or you can pay $25 for their picture and it includes a digital copy as well. read more

Ethel M Chocolates - Ethel M's Santa Set Up - Botanical Gardens Near Me - Henderson, Nevada

If you go for the holiday lights, go at least 30 minutes prior to sunset. The line will be very long! They always have samples of chocolates and special seasonal flavors. read more

Ethel M Chocolates - Cactus botanical garden lights - Botanical Gardens Near Me - Henderson, Nevada

Was able to experience the botanical garden decorated for the holidays. New Year's day is the last night and won't be back until next Christmas. So if you missed it better luck next year. It used to be free in the years prior. but this year it's only a dollar admission for the botanical garden. Inside of the chocolate factory you can purchase hot chocolate or a large variety of their very popular/delicious boxes of chocolate as a gift or a personal sweet treat. They have a penny flattening machine where the penny gets pressed & you can take it as a souvenir. We also took a self guided tour of the factory & seen where the Oompa Loompa's... I mean employees make all of that tasty chocolate. read more

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