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Henderson is the second largest city in Nevada and is about 16 miles (26 kilometers) south of Las Vegas.
Introduction to Henderson, Nevada
Henderson was originally the site of a manganese mine discovered in the fall of 1917. It operated on and off until 1961. The first settlements were clusters of Hoovervilles, or shanty towns, that sprung up during the Great Depression. The largest was Pittman, which is the name of a neighborhood today.
Henderson was founded in 1941 around the Basic Magnesium Incorporated (BMI) industrial complex, which was built to support the World War II effort. The plant opened in February 1942 and attracted 15,000 workers from across the nation. After the war, most of the employees left and population declined sharply.
The Colorado River Commission of Nevada purchased the BMI complex and repurposed them, preventing the town’s dissolution. It was officially incorporated as a city on April 16. 1953.
Henderson developed slowly and maintained a reputation as an industrial center until 1971, when the first neighborhoods were built outside the original downtown core. The Green Valley communities, which first opened on October 24, 1978, helped transform Henderson into a middle to upper-class suburban city, and it has continued to grow rapidly ever since.
Today, Henderson is regarded as one of the best places to live in the United States as well as one of the safest and most family-friendly large cities. The economy is based mainly in the logistics, technology, and manufacturing industries. It’s also known for its recreational facilities and parks, including over 300 miles of trails.
Ethel M Chocolate Factory
If you have a sweet tooth, you might want to stop by the Ethel M Chocolate Factory and flagship store. It produces Ethel M Chocolates, which is the gourmet premium brand of Mars chocolates. Ethel M was founded by Forrest Mars Sr. (1904-1999) in 1981 and is named after his mother, Ethel Mars (1884-1980). The chocolates are made without preservatives using recipes created by Ethel.
During your visit, you can take a self-guided factory tour for a peek at the production floor and a behind-the-scenes look at how the chocolates are made. There’s no admission (as of October 2025) and the factory production hours are Monday through Friday from 10am to 3:30pm.
If you have some extra time, it’s also possible to attend a chocolate tasting experience. They cost US$25 for adults, US$20 for students, and US$15 for kids under 10 (as of October 2025). Adults over 21 can do a chocolate and wine pairing for US$35 (as of October 2025).
Finally, you can enjoy a coffee, hot chocolate, or specialty milkshake at the Cactus Garden Café. When I visited, there was also M&M’s World, which was a huge wall featuring several different colors of M&M’s. Apparently it’s no longer there.
Ethel M Botanical Cactus Garden
Next to the factory is the Ethel M Botanical Cactus Garden, which features over 300 cactus and succulent species. It’s the largest cactus garden in Nevada and one of the most prolific collections in the world. The 3-acre garden opened in September 1981. Admission is free (as of October 2025) and it’s open daily from 9am to 7pm.
While it’s pleasant to walk through the garden any time of year, it’s especially enjoyable during the holiday season and Valentine’s Day. From early November through New Year’s, the garden is decorated with over a million lights and kids have the chance to meet Santa Claus. For the week surrounding Valentine’s Day, you can enjoy Lights of Love, featuring pink, purple and red Valentine-themed lights.
Where to Eat in Henderson, Nevada
I stopped for one very fast meal.
In-N-Out Burger
Since I’m from the Midwest, I don’t often have the chance to enjoy In-N-Out. I visited the Eastgate Plaza location and had a double-double cheeseburger animal style. I don’t have to tell you how satisfying it was.
