We visited the factory last year on the weekend and saw no manufacturing. This year we went in the morning and during the week. It was a disappointment. You saw very little of the manufacturing. Out in the store we were given one piece of chocolate. The prices have gone up. We did not see the catus garden on this trip but last year we walked around outside in the 110 heat. If you want to see real manufacturing, go to Cerrata Candy Co in Glendale, Arizona. The children can make a chocolate pizza.

Hard to find within the industrial area close to Henderson, but the trip was worth it! They close at about 7pm so it is a nice refreshing stop after visiting Hoover dam (so hot there!) or other border day attractions. Yet, if you want to see the factory working, come in early. The factory is fitted with wide glass windows so you can see the whole candy preparation process. I myself work in a drug factory and can tell you this place is well kept and clean. It is a self guided tour with signs that explain it as you go, but is not that long. Yet, friendly assistant give you samples of whatever candy batch was being prepared during the day. Kids love it. At the end, there is a large store which has the whole 9 yards of the Ethel M candies. These are not cheap, but quite delicious. Godivas aren't cheap either but you'll not see them here!. There are friendly ladies who will offer you free candy samples if you aren't already stuffed with what you ate during the tour. When you exit, don't miss the well kept cactus garden to your left. It has the most variety I have ever seen, nice place for some pictures and strange photos. And if you haven't seen enough, get into the other smaller store in this site which has cactuses in pots, cactus kits and kitchenware for you to decorate your home, all very reasonably priced. If you buy a plant, ask for the free planting guide.
Recommendation: if you are planing to go to the national parks or desert areas in the days that follow, buy the chocolates after you come back from the trip. After we visited Ethel M, we went to the Grand Canyon and Monument Valley, and had to stop ever so often to buy ice to keep the chocolates in solid form for the next 5 days!

Having been to America several times I already knew that I wasn't keen on American chocolate but this tour was included with another tour to the Hoover Dam and I thought the actual manufacturing process might be interesting. We visited the factory in the afternoon and boy what a disappointment. First of all the manufacturing had stopped for the day and all we could see was the area where the chocolates were made. Then we walked through to the main store where we were given 1 sample to tempt us to part with some dollars. The chocolate was awful. Next it was outside into the 112 degrees heat for a sprint around the cactus garden and back to the coach and some much needed air conditioning. The whole tour lasted 25 minutes. I would say unless it is part of another tour that you really must do avoid it at all costs.
If you want really lovely American chocolate go to San Francisco and visit the Ghiradelli store in Ghiradelli Square.