This is a review of the factory tour and the gardens during most of the year.  I have a separate review for the Holiday Lights at the Cactus Gardens

OVERVIEW

You can walk through a 3-acre enclosed “nature trail” of desert plants on the property of the chocolate factory.  Inside the chocolate factory, through glass windows, you can view the part of the factory where the chocolate is made.

COST

FREE admission

Chocolate and souvenirs are sold inside

LOCATION

2 Cactus Garden Drive

Henderson, NV 89014

HOURS

Generally 8am to 8pm

During the lights season: 8am to 10pm

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

The “tour” of the factory is self-guided, and it’s really walking up a ramp, probably 75 ft long, and looking in the windows.  There is no set schedule for when they make the chocolate.  It just depends on what they need to make that day.  Some days you might get a good show, and sometimes there isn’t much going on.  The cactus garden is mainly for walking through and observing.  The plants are labeled and there are informational signs.  There are a lot of places that little ones may be tempted to climb, but you’re not supposed to.  It is still pretty fun for them though, as it’s a little like a maze to run through and explore.

On the third Thursday of each month from 2pm to 9pm Ethel M has “Decadence in the Desert” – food trucks, live music, art vendors.

WHAT TO TAKE

I recommend a stroller or carrier for little ones while you explore the gardens.  The entire thing is easily stroller accessible, including the factory “viewing aisle.”

OUR EXPERIENCE

This story is hilarious.  On our most recent trip, we went in the morning.  The only other group was a tourist bus full of Japanese tourists.  A group of ladies were taking pictures of each other in the garden, so I tried to offer to take a picture of their group all together, gesturing, but they didn’t understand, so I kept walking.  Then I heard a “Hello, hello” and turned around.  One of the ladies was mimicking my gesture back at me, so I thought she had realized what I was offering.  I reached for the camera, but then all of them got up in my face and started taking close-ups of me and Korbin!  And even got in with us for some selfies!  It was so startling! What do you do in a situation like that?!  I cheesed for the cameras for a second, then tried to escape.  Kyler was running off and a man in their group – a husband maybe? – was yelling over to them.  Trying to call them off, I thought.  The funniest part of the whole thing was that Korbin’s lips were totally blue from the lollipop he just had, slobber everywhere, I hadn’t brushed my hair, and had no makeup on.  I’m really good at doing fun things with my kids but self-care … not so much.  So all these Japanese ladies are going to go back home and show their friends what Americans look like …. Haha!  Sorry guys!

WHAT WE LIKED

The best part was the chocolate sample you get at the end of the viewing aisle.

WHAT WE DIDN’T LIKE

We only get about 30 minutes out of this activity.  It’s a fun thing to do on our way to school or something … but not enough to plan a whole afternoon around.

WILL WE GO AGAIN

Yes.  This isn’t an every-week type of activity, but we have been multiples times this year.

LINK

https://www.ethelm.com/category/visiting+the+factory/self+guided+viewing+aisle.do