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.

Last but not least, the chocolates get their final wrapping in foil, and visitors get to visit the Chocolate Shoppe. This is yet another place when you get some sample tastes of any number of delicious chocolate candies.

As it happens, however, this is more than just the tour of a chocolate factory. Here you can visit the Cactus Garden as well, not to mention the Living Machine, which is a water recycling plant.