Holiday Review: The Cactus Garden is a favorite every year and this year (2020) is no different! There are changes such as less crowds, reservations needed, and masks required, but the lights are beautiful and you can still visit Santa. My family and I had so much fun and cant wait til its time to go back!
What a beautiful time at Ethel Ms 3 acre cactus botanical garden. Its all lit up for Christmas and the hot chocolate is to die for. What a pleasure being able build our own custom box of chocolates. Cant wait to try the famous liquor chocolate barrels. Havent had them in years and so looking forward to enjoying every bite!
This place is one of our favorite Christmas traditions. Due to covid-19 they now have a reservation system to reduce the crowds and allow for social distancing.It was so nice walking the gardens, it was almost like you had the garden to yourself. You do have to wear a mask the whole time unless you are eating, drinking or posing for a picture.Food options they have the hot chocolate and candies in the shop and then there was a food truck in the back as an alternative option. We purchased the hot chocolate package with chocolate dipped cookies and chocolate dipped marshmallows on a stick. They are pricey but amazing. Plus we like to always support them with a purchase since the garden lights experience is free.And last, regarding Santa we visited on a weekday and Santa wasnt there, however it looks like that have a Santa box for visits with him behind a plexiglass window. So that might be a safe option. Overall amazing garden and the lights are some of the best in the city.
Very pretty Xmas lights tour at night. Was able to get in w/o a reservation since they checked that they were under capacity at the moment since it was cold. Portable bathrooms at the end. Can enter the chocolate factory to buy chocolate. Plenty of parking and security. They will check your temperature before you enter.
Very nice time, masks required, temperatures taken, all for good reason. Beautifully designed as usual! Enjoy a free night out...make sure you have reserved time.
What a fun place to spend some time off the strip!The chocolate factory & store was filled with treats galore & friendly employees to help choose just the right item! We really enjoyed the Holiday Cactus Garden as well! The garden took a little under an hour to enjoy, with lights & music - just perfect for an evening stroll after dinner.
Took my mom. Wheelchair accessible. At the end you do have to go over some gravel, but it is pea gravel and hard packed so easy enough to push the wheelchair over. Had a great time seeing the display.
The Chocolate Factory was extremely clean and welcoming. Every employee was so nice and performed a perfect customer service. They gave me chocolate samples and other samples from upcoming chocolates and cakes.Once you customize a box with the chocolates that you want there is a book inside that explains each flavor associated to each chocolate !
I spent much more time in the botanical cactus garden than in the adjoining chocolate factory. The garden is small, but packed full of meandering walkways and beautiful plants. I had come prepared to spend time just sitting/strolling and enjoying the sun as well as taking photos, so I spent longer than I imagine most people would. Google said most visitors spend roughly an hour in the gardens. I spent three. But I have lovely photos and a subtle tan to show for it.
Everything about this place is Extraordinary, Enjoyed the lovely and Educational botanical cactus garden and the Elegant chocolate factory observation area. When you are done with the Valley of Fire/Red Rock/Historical Railroad trail, this is the right Ending
Cool the company has this but nothing special to go out of your way for. Only went because Hoover Dam was closed and needed to kill time before out flight
Christmas was a little different this year, but still nice to get away.
Very beautiful. Lots of variety.
Always a fun time here! I always bring friends and family here when they visit. Its such a neat way to learn about and see some desert plants. The Christmas lights are neat and they might have extra stuff to do around the holidays. Ive only ever sampled the chocolate as its a bit pricey, but I think it would be really good. Ive been here many times and I will come back.
So beautiful all lit up for the holidays. Of course, the chocolate samples dont hurt either.
So very beautiful, educational, and peaceful. I go there often to walk around, clear my mind. And just get out. You can certainly docual distance. Family friendly, and it FREE.
Watch chocolate being made, sample it, buy it and love it! Walk through the Cactus Garden and wonder how youd feel if you feel into some of them Great chocs with plenty of choice and theyll help keep it cool for you to take it away. Well worth a visit and thanks to Adam (warehouse manager) for the history!
This place is gorgeous! I really enjoyed walking around the cactus garden, it was very peaceful and calming. The trick is to go early enough in the day that you can enjoy it without getting heat stroke. I also did the chocolate tasting tour and I REALLY enjoyed it! I mainly just wanted to try the yummy chocolates, but I found the presentation given by Amelia to be extremely informative! Thanks for all the information, I now have an even deeper love (and appreciation) for chocolate!
It was an interesting stop, too bad covid19 caused a few restrictions. No bathroom, no free samples, the trail was cut short. Overall still bought some chocolate so the visit was a success!
Holiday cactus garden. So much fun!
Not my first trip to the Botanical Cactus Garden at Ethel M. Here is my normal plan, first go through the factory tour and store, grab a hit chocolate (or coming back very soon, Mojave Milkshake) then stroll through the cactus garden. Return to the store purchase as much chocolate as can last you until your next trip to Ethel M.In the cactus garden you will not only see cactus bit many desert or arid climate plants, in the spring use caution as there might be bees. In the fall closer to the holidays Ethel M places holiday lights in and around the various plants.Ethel M is definitely a place to visit while in the Las Vegas or Henderson areas.
A nice little free experience, especially for we northerners that are coming down from the snow. Take a few minutes away from the craziness of the strip and visit this little peaceful parka and take some photos. The chocolate shop next door is pretty sweet (hehe) too. Parking was also free so you really cant lose.
Great little getaway from the normal city life. Come during the day and come again at night for two different experiences, both worth your drive.
Very enjoyable experience! My family and I got to see the cactus garden and pick out some delicious choclates. A great experience overall.
Pretty lighting display for Valentines Day. Ethel Ms Chocolate Factory Las Vegas, NV.
Very cute addition for the chocolates
I really liked this place and they gave free samples and it was nice
Lovely Cactus Garden in Las Vegas area. There is a Chocolate Factory (Ethel) also there. Was there before heading back to Los Angeles, nice Instagram spot place to visit.
I was actually surprised by how nice this small botanical garden was. They have a great selection of cacti and other desert plants to view. Plus you can try the chocolate right next to it at the chocolate factory.
Been there many times. This trip was a little sad. Areas closed off due to COVID. Its so beautiful at Christmas and worth a trip.
Totally a hidden gem in Las Vegas! Stunning collection of cacti and dessert flora ~ great for a morning walk and to find yourself in the chocolate factory after!
Cool place to try some great chocolate, wine, and coffee. They also have a dessert garden.
This is the place to go between Thanksgiving and the beginning of January! At night! Fortunately, night begins early this time of year. The cactus garden outside the chocolate factory is a spectacular collection of a large variety of display size vegetation. For Christmas, the display of lights is a site to behold!
The cactus garden is amazing and has grown in diversity of species. The lighting and music add to the effect. The chocolate factory has been updated and the store is more inviting and customer friendly. The staff are very cordial
It seems this botanical garden is placed for the chocolate factory. Anyway, this garden contains many cactus, even not very large garden.
Great cactus collection and there is a candy factory!
Great place to walk through a variety of cacti. Lights during Christmas were a great touch. Its also free with lots of parking.
This is a great local place. Also make sure to get your yummy chocolate samples
Later in the night is prime time to visit
The cactus garden was really nice. I visited it during the day when it was decorated for the holidays so it was probably very pretty with the lights lit up at night. Even though it was daytime I really enjoyed the cactus garden just taking an afternoon walk and seeing all the different varieties of plants that are there. I will be visiting it again.
Always a wonderful time here. Its had alot of things added on over the years. Been around for over 20 years my mom use to take me as a child. They offer a chocolate tasting which is a good value, a free tour of the factory and operations and at christmas time enjoy a hot cocoa & a stroll through the cactus garden. It can be fun for the whole family or a fun & cheap date.
This place has changed so many times over the years. I remember when you could pick any one piece of chocolate to try free...now, its just a piece of basic chocolate. First time was over 24 years ago. It was so fun. Then came the period of M&Ms and it was still fun and affordable but now....I really cant afford to buy anything. The gardens...some of the cactus looked like they were being strangled by all the lights wrapped around them. It was still beautiful and fun.
Christmas Cacti, whats not to love?? :)It was a very nice display of Christmas decorations adorned on the cactus garden. Ive seen many Christmas tree gardens with lights, but this was my first time seeing a cactus garden and it was very well done!They also had Santa to meet for the little ones which was a very nice touch.
The chocolate factory is boring to me, but the gardens are lovely! We even met a cute feral cat. Lol
Very pleasant walk and interesting catus
The cactus garden had a wide variety of cacti to explore although its ultimately not a huge garden. We went during perfect weather. And munched on some chocolates we had just purchased inside the gift shop. I just wish we wouldve been there in time for the milkshake happy hour!
Exotic and rich collection of a variety of cactus at the garden. Experience of a glimpse of chocolate manufacturing at Ethel M factory.
This is a great stop if you are visiting Vegas. Its free and interesting. You get to see all the steps in making the chocolates, try a few, and can buy more if you are interested (and you probably will be, because they are delicious). The cactus garden is beautiful and worth walking around. They are solar powered and environmentally friendly. The staff is great too!
Take nice stroll thru so many different varieties of cacti for free.
We went for the beautiful cactus garden and ended up staying for a chocolate tasting. I really enjoyed both! It was really neat to see the chocolate making and packaging process.
Neat place to check out, but I definitely would have liked to see a bit more of the chocolate making up close. The cactus gardens were very nice though
Lovely place to visit and get high quality chocolates. Decided to visit the cactus garden first, and theyre a sight to see. Who knew there was so much to learn? We spent about 20 minutes selecting our box of chocolates. I highly suggest building your own box by the way. Its a great deal in my opinion.
Unfortunately you will have to wait to the end of the year to go see it.
Absolutely loved my time here. A great walk though a beautiful cactus garden
Really cool hidden gem!! Chocolate was so tasty, also an awesome place to get landscaping inspiration. Plant lovers will not be disappointed!
#chocolatewall What a magical and beautiful place. Great fun for people of all ages.
Loved it! My first time here and I had a wonderful experience. My friend and I went to the chocolate factory first. After receiving some delicious samples, we purchased a couple bags of chocolate and took a stroll through the Cactus Garden. They were very beautiful, and we took lots of pictures of them. We arrived shortly after opening to beat the crowd...which worked out perfectly because that place got pretty packed fairly quickly! Id love to go there again sometime.
Nice collection of desert plants. Great chocolate.
Its a serene little place to walk around. It is quiet and the benches are a nice place to sit and chat. Learning is easy with the large information displays.
A Christmas Eve tradition; Ethel M Botanical Gardens are magically transformed into a marvelous display of wonder. The smell of chocolate sweetens the air, as you look on in amazement. The staff is seasoned at making the evening even more brighter and they make the most fabulous hot chocolate!
All of the cacti are very cool to go and see. Cool place to take family pictures.
Good place with a Christmas vibe and chocolate factory is a addition
I had the best time. The cactus garden was beautiful. The smell of the desert foliage was amazing. The natural beauty of the plants was a beautiful escape from the city we live in. The final tour through the chocolate factory at the end was a bonus to the wonder of the garden. I highly recommend coming to the garden yourself. Take a walk through the garden slowly to really enjoy the plants and get a feel for their scents and sights.
Such a great place to visit! Fun for the family!
The name tells it - sweet little cactus garden. If you happen to go to Ethels Chocolate factory, take a stroll in the garden. On its own, probably not worth the trip. There arent any benches or areas to stay and enjoy - except for the Cactus garden Cafe.
Could have had a better experience. This was not what I expected. Chocolate was the best.
Nice section of plants.
Off all the things to do in Las Vegas, visiting a cactus garden was the last thing I expected to do. But recently, I did just that. And surprisingly, it was an enjoyable experience. Located just 17 minutes east of the airport, the Ethel M Botanical Cactus Garden is a verdant, emerald green, oasis in a sea of asphalt. It is free to visit, to walk around, and to take pics. With over 300 species of cacti and succulents, this garden is a lot larger than one would think. So why not add some variety to your pics of casinos, show girls, and that fifth plate of buffet food. And as an added bonus, connected to this garden is a chocolate factory, which also offers a free tour on how confections are made. Just keep in mind Las Vegas never closes but this garden does. So check their hours, then come and relax, decompress, and recoup.
Nice and well maintained. Its a quick walk thru. Free!
Great location, beautiful lights and of course divine chocolate!!
Great place to stop. Hard to beat chocolate and the xactus garden is the bomb.
Really fun. Overall crowded and because they dont block the garden from people, a child (not mine) fell into a cactus! It definitely could use some barriers.
Pretty garden and the selection of cactus is informative.
Cute little spot to take family that’s not ok the strip.
Wonderful free garden to visit both at Christmas with all of the lights and in the daytime when you can learn about the cacti.
Nice place to visit while in Las Vegas
Free cactus Garden, next to Ethel Ms chocolates. Great place for a half day with the family. Dont forget to watch the chocolate Factory, make the best Chocolates.They have chocolate and wine pairings.Tell them Joe sent you; they will say Joe Who...
I enjoyed my time here.
Always enjoyable to visit during the Holidays. The christmas lights on the cacti are beautiful to wander through the paths and then visit the chocolate shop.
Tour some amazing desert cacti in their natural habitat while enjoying a few pieces of Ethel M chocolates.
This probably was the most meaningful thing that I did with my two adult sons this Christmas season! It was a short trip but it was lovely. The gardens are so beautiful at Christmas time and such a wonderful place to go with family. The lady handing out chocolate samples was extremely generous and I brought mine home to my mom. They add more and more lights every year and it truly is worth seeing. Is a wonderful place to go whether you are spending time with adult children, bringing younger children as a family, or a couple in love, Ethel Ms Botanical Gardens are a a must-do every year!!!
Surprisingly fun. It was really busy when I went but a pretty walk.
The garden entrance is quite lovely and includes a variety of cactus and native plants. It is especially interesting if you are not from the area and want to see some of the plants that thrive in the desert climate. There are several paths winding through the garden, with many opportunities for up-close photos of cactus, like rabbit and bunny ears, and flowers.Once inside, the chocolate tasting room invites you to sit and enjoy a sampling of the delicious treats made in the factory. Reservations are required, and the tasting can take some time. If you are only interested in watching the process, the mixing and mold-setting rooms can be observed through large windows overlooking the factory. We did not get to see this process; apparently, it only happens at certain times of day - you may want to call ahead to check.There is a gift shop with samples, and they have a variety of souvenirs to take home. Parking is available, and the facility and garden are accessible.
Picked the worst time to go due to heat but learned lots about cactuses
Beautiful walk with lovely lights. Make sure to stop inside Ethel M factory
Friendly atmosphere, del8cious chocolate and hot cocoa. Great display of Christmas lights as well.
Its a good place for the vriaty of the plants but its not the greatest place for kids.
Lovely, fun, a bit crowded for the Christmas lights. Hot cocoa was incredible!
The cactus garden was cool. Cant wait to go back to see all the lights. I do however think the chocolate is way over priced
Fun and colorful
Their garden is so beautiful, I can say it definitely calmed me down and made me want to buy chocolate.
Free botanical garden next to a chocolate factory. Has signs identifying various cactii and providing information about their natural habitat. Very pretty, especially for someone not from the desert West.
Wonderful garden, cool factory.
Had a great time there
Surprisingly this place didnt show up on many tourist resource lists and the like, but it is definitely worth a visit. Larger than you would expect, educational, and beautiful.
Loved the cactus garden at night with the holiday lights on them, a beautiful experience.
Beautiful! Specially when lights are all over the garden
Favorite go to place when visitors come