Hotels near Ethel M Chocolate Factory and Cactus Garden

Ethel M Chocolates was founded in 1981 by Forrest Mars Sr. and named after his mother, and its Henderson factory offers a free self-guided tour past viewing windows where you can watch chocolates being made. Next door, the Botanical Cactus Garden covers about 3 acres (1.2 hectares) with more than 300 species of cacti, succulents and desert plants.

October is the ideal month for the garden, when temperatures fall into the 20s and walking among the agaves, barrel cacti and Joshua trees is pleasant rather than punishing. Entry to both the factory tour and the garden is free, and the shop sells chocolate tasting flights. From mid-November the garden is strung with lights for the annual Holiday Cactus Lights, so October offers the last calm weeks before the seasonal crowds.

Pro Tip: Visit on a weekday morning, when the production line is most likely to be running, and allow 45 minutes to walk the garden.