Self Against the City

The Ethel Chocolate Factory and Gardens, also known as Ethel M., was actually founded by the man behind the Mars Candy Company, Forrest Mars, Sr. A chocolatey hideaway in Las Vegas, it was originally intended as a place where chocolates could be made in a way which were reminiscent of the way Mr. Mars’ mother, Ethel, made them.

Today, the factory is a museum as well. By looking through the factory’s large glass windows, you can see what is going on inside – and of course you can take the tour as well. First on the tour route, visitors get to see the kitchen. It is there that all the delicious centers and fillings for the candy get cooked. You might see pecan or peanut brittle being made, or any number of other delicacies. Given the fact that more than fifty different, tantalizing types of chocolates are made at the Ethel M. factory, you never know what you might see.

The second room of the Ethel Chocolate Factory and Gardens tour is the room wherein all the candies receive their chocolate coating. You will learn all about enrobers and get to see all kinds of feelings receive their decadent chocolate coating. You may even see the candies get specially molded.

Of course, on certain legs of the tour, you can also look forward to getting samples of whatever is being made, from almond clusters to Ethel M’s famous liqueur filled chocolate candies.

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If you have ever doubted that dear old adage about how enormous, fantastical things can come in the smallest of packages, then you have obviously never paid a visit to the Nevada Zoological and Botanical Park. Although it looks small when you approach it, the garden and zoo spans across an amazing three acres. The botanical and zoological wonder, which is located right down from Texas Station, on Rancho Drive, contains greater than 200 different species of animals and plants.

What the Nevada Zoological and Botanical Park lacks in numbers, it makes up for in exotic and rare intrigue. For instance, insofar as animals go, the zoo has collections you cannot find anywhere else in the United States. It houses the biggest collection of intriguing swamp wallabies to be found in the entirety of North America, not to mention the last living family of Barbary Apes.

The zoo contains Mowar, an Indo Chinese tiger who is one of a mere seventy held in captivity. There are Canadian River otters, as well as a fossa couple. Fossas are the biggest predators you can find on Madagascar. They are a very rare species – but then, the Nevada Zoological and Botanical Park has no less than forty endangered species on the property.

In addition, Alligator Pathway, which is a large exhibit on ancient alligators, is a huge draw, as is the reptile exhibit. There, you can find an eyelash viper, a very rare viper from Belize. The Mojave green is also there – it is the most lethal rattlesnake currently known.

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