Chocolate Nugget Candy Factory - A Sweet Escape & Bite into History

Washoe

*611 US-395, New Washoe City, NV 89704

Directions

Mound House 

(near Virginia City/Carson City)

*56 NV-341, Carson City, NV 89706

Website

Instagram

If you frequently find yourself on the highway 580/395 heading toward Carson City from Reno, you may have spotted the roadside sign on the side featuring the Chocolate Nugget Factory. Being the wandered that I am, you know I couldn't resist taking the exit to see what this place was all about. That little detour led me to discover a true local gem. Consider the highway sign your sign to check it out yourself. Trust me, you'll thank me later.

Growing up watching Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, I had pretty high expectations for what a chocolate factory should aim to be, and after fter my first visit to the Chocolate Nugget Factory, it did not disappoint. Upon walking into the shop on my first visit many years ago, I was welcomed to a video playing on the wall featuring scenes from the classic film of Willy Wonka inviting us in to a world of "pure imagination."  I don't know what's more imaginative than candy and the scientific processes it undergoes.  Most people may see it as pure sugar & trouble,  but I see balancing acts, candy thermometers, elastic revels, and edible art pieces. 

Today, you’ll find the iconic “I Love Lucy” chocolate factory scene playing on the screen, where visitors can relive one of television’s most unforgettable comedy moments. The famous scene shows Lucy and Ethel working on a chocolate conveyor belt, desperately trying to wrap chocolates as they come faster and faster. When they realize they can’t keep up, they resort to hiding the candies wherever they can, creating a hilarious moment of chaos that has been loved by generations.  You must absolutely give it a watch on YouTube.  

The Chocolate Nugget Factory is the story of a family tradition that began generations ago and made its way from Ohio to the heart of Washoe Valley.

The roots of this sweet local treasure date back to 1936, when Frank, the grandfather of the current owners, began making candy in Akron, Ohio. Frank had a knack for candy making and started a small homemade candy business that eventually grew into a family legacy known for quality ingredients, handmade chocolates, and his famous light and crispy peanut brittle.

In 1983, Dan and Caroline Saltzwimmer brought that tradition to Northern Nevada when they opened the Chocolate Nugget Candy Factory. Since then, this charming roadside stop between Reno and Carson City has become a beloved local landmark, welcoming generations of families looking for a little sweetness along the way.

After decades of being lovingly operated by the Feriance family, the Chocolate Nugget Candy Factory began a new chapter when third-generation candymaker Eddie Feriance stepped away and entrusted the future of the business to Cesar Acosta, the founder of Champagne & Chocolate. The transition brought together two local chocolate traditions. While the candy-making roots remain at the heart of Chocolate Nugget, the addition of Champagne & Chocolate has introduced new ways to enjoy the longtime Nevada favorite through elevated pairings, events, and a renewed appreciation and love for handcrafted sweets.

At Champage & Chocolate in Reno, visitor's can enjoy many of the Chocolate Nugget Factory's classic favorites while experiencing a fresh, glamorous, modern lounge feel that comes with entertainment, specialty alcoholic and non alcoholic beverages & brunch weaved in.  

If you're feeling especially adventurous on your visit, the build-your-own candy bar experience lets guests create a custom treat starting with either a dark chocolate or milk chocolate base and adding their own favorite toppings.

Part of what makes the Chocolate Nugget Factory so special is that the experience begins before you even walk through the doors. The Washoe Valley location has a charming Old West feel, with its rustic log cabin design, welcoming porch, and the famous giant miner standing guard outside.  Inside, the shop continues that cozy, old fashioned charm with vintage touches, sweet displays, and the smell of handmade sweets filling the air. And when you find it hard to determine whether the service or the candy is sweeter, you know you’ve discovered something special.  At the Chocolate Nugget Factory, you can always count on a sample, a smile, and a little taste of nostalgia waiting for you every time you stop by.

Must Try Treats

*Their caramel popcorn is always so fresh, delicious, and addicting.  Ideal for those with sweet tooths.

*Their roasted nuts are always fresh and taste like the holidays

*All of their taffies are true to their flavors, great in texture with just the right amount of sweetness 

*Their Chocolate-dipped pretzels are super crunchy, well-balanced, and not too sweet.  

*Their Peanut Brittle is amazingly thin and fresh: a brittle like no other that will not break your teeth.  It's one of their best sellers that comes in different flavors.

*Their fudge is so delicious and always made fresh in house.  Favorites: chocolate walnut, divinity (marshmallow + nuts), peanut butter chocolate

*Chocolate dipped ice cream.  Dipped in real chocolate and topped with toppings of your choosing.

Notes:

-Apple Pay/Samsung Pay for contact free transactions.  You can download these apps on your phone and connect them to your cards.

-Interested in trying out a certain fudge flavor?  Don't be shy.  Ask for a sample.

-Local family owned business. Visit their site for their amazing history. 

-Tables and seating available on front porch

-great for photos

-Pick-up and delivery available.  Call in for pick-up orders. Online orders are shipped through USPS.

-Their candy is manufactured at their Mound House location.  Viewing window available. 

-Sodas available for floats.

-The drive on 395 from Reno to the shop is scenic and relaxing.  Alternatively, you can take side streets. Take South Virginia all the way down toward Carson City.  Shop will be on your right.

-Nearby: Davis Creek Regional Park, Bower's Mansion, Washoe Lake State Park, and Anneke Shat's Bakery

-The Washoe Lake/Little Washoe area features plenty of wildlife, including wild mustangs.  Please enjoy them from afar.

***Information subject to change. All opinions are my own.***

Photography

© Katherine Fung,

All rights reserved.

Categorized under "Good Eats"

Take a Short and Scenic Hike to a Stunning Waterfall on Mt. Rose Summit Trail

24705 Mt Rose Hwy 

Reno, NV 89511

(about 30 mins. from Reno)

Trail map to Galena Falls from Mt. Rose Summit Trailhead on Komoot. 

Trail Overview

Best used: May through October

Elevation Gain: 323 ft. 

Distance: 2.5 miles

Duration: 1 hrs. 24 mins.

Start Elevation: 9,000 ft.

Friends, it’s absolutely crazy how much beauty you can find right here in our region. If you’re a lover of the outdoors, chances are you’ll fall in love with Reno because it serves as the perfect gateway to adventure. With endless forests to explore, iconic Lake Tahoe just around the corner, and countless natural wonders nearby, it’s easy to see why this area inspires so much awe and appreciation for nature.

A little ways up Mt. Rose Highway is the Mt. Rose Summit Trail, which is easy to get to, easy to navigate, and comes with a beautiful waterfall only 2.5 miles into the trail.  I've heard many great things about the full 11.8 mile loop to the summit, but many visit soley to see the waterfall.  Based on what I’ve read from other hikers, the trail becomes more challenging beyond the waterfall, with the final 1.5 miles to the summit being the toughest climb. Even so, many hikers say the extra effort is well worth it for the incredible views overlooking the Lake Tahoe Basin, Washoe Valley, and Reno.

Aside from a short climb at the beginning of Mt. Rose Summit Trail, you’ll wind through the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest forest and reach the beautiful Galena Falls. The surrounding meadow next to the falls adds an extra touch of beauty that makes this area feel even more magical. Because the waterfall is so rewarding for the amount of effort it takes to reach, this section can get busy. 

As you make your way up the mountain and begin to witness the beauty that surrounds, take a moment to fill your lungs with that glorious alpine air and your heart with a little awe and appreciation for the existence of the great outdoors.  

NOTES
-The beginning of the trail offers plenty of shade as you make your way toward Galena Falls. The path is mostly flat aside from the initial climb.

-Restrooms are available seasonally at the trailhead parking lot.
-If traveling to the summit, pack a windbreaker no matter the season. 

-Higher elevations mean stronger sun exposure, sun protection, plenty of water, and snacks are highly recommended. 

-Hiking poles can be helpful for the rockier sections and steeper climbs to the summit.
-Summer weekends can get crowded, so arrive early or visit on a weekday for easier parking. During winter, the area near the parking lot becomes a popular spot for snow play and sledding. In late summer, you may even catch the beautiful Monarch butterfly migration. Catch colors in the fall and wildflowers in the spring/summer.

-Winter Hiking: Snowshoeing and cross country skiing are popular activities here in the winter.  Proper gear is essential. Be sure to check the weather in advance and dress appropriately. Serious winter hikers like to use an app to help keep them on track, especially when it allows them access to trail info. even without reception.

Nearby 

*Tahoe Meadows: If you’re looking for a lovely flat hike nearby, check out the Tahoe Meadows Interpretive Loop trail just down the road to the left (you can't miss the parking lot). The Tahoe Meadows South Trailhead is just a minute away from the lot on the main road.  During summer, the parking lot closer to the trailhead opens up to the public. 

*Ophir Creek Trail - Just drive a little ways down Mt. Rose Highway (less than a min.) to the area with the parked cars to enjoy a beautiful boardwalk that lines the meadow creeks.

Winter Fun Next to Mt. Rose Summit Trailhead Parking Lot

***Information subject to change. All opinions are my own.***

Photography

© Katherine Fung,

All rights reserved.

Categorized under "Family Friendly Hikes" 

Family Fun & Global Discoveries Await at the Wilbur D. May Museum in Reno Nevada

Wilbur D. May Center

1595 N Sierra Street

Reno, NV 89503

Museum: (775) 785-5961

Arboretum: (775) 785-4153

Park Ranger Office: (775) 785-4512

Website

Instagram

The Wilbur D. May Museum offers themed exhibitions which tend to run January through April or May every year.  The Hall of Heroes was just one of the many that made its way into the museum, allowing guests to test their super human abilities.

This exhibit was packed with impressive figurines and hands on activities that were interesting, fun, and a blast for both kids and adults. The kids were amazed from start to finish and kept getting more excited for whatever came next. They tested their running speed, got blasted by a giant fan that simulated a flight experience, tested their hanging abilities, and solved puzzles that required a little super human brain power.  You can always expect a good time with these themed displays at Wilbur May Museum.

Admission to these specially themed exhibits also grants you admission to the permanent collection of Wilbur D. May - a rancher, pilot, artist, world traveler, and all around adventure seeker. Over his lifetime he traveled all over the world and brought home treasures from almost every corner of the globe. The museum holds these artifacts and displays them in a way that makes you feel like you are walking through the story of his life.

You will find cultural pieces from Asia, Africa, the South Pacific, and Europe. There are tribal masks, carved figures, pottery, ceramics from ancient dynasties, beautiful glasswork, and all kinds of decorative art. You will also see antique weapons and historic firearms that reflect both his world travels and his ranching lifestyle.

One of the most unforgettable parts of the museum is the recreation of his trophy room from his Double Diamond Ranch. It is filled with almost two hundred taxidermy animals along with some of the coolest & most unusual decor you will ever see, like lamp bases made from zebra legs and furniture made from horns. There are also rare curiosities like a shrunken head, Egyptian scarabs, Inuit carvings, and relics from ancient civilizations.

The museum also includes recreated rooms from Wilbur's actual home, which lets you step right into the life he lived. His own paintings are displayed as well, displaying his talent and love for landscapes inspired by both Nevada and his travels. You can even get a glimpse of his ranching - saddles, gear, and western equipment teach visitors that he was just as grounded at home as he was adventurous abroad.

Everything at the museum is well preserved and displayed in a clean and organized way allowing visitors to explore different cultures, stories, and time periods in a fun and easy to digest kind of way. 

Museums inspire curiosity, preserve history, help us understand how we came to be, and let us travel the world without ever getting on a plane.  I'm so fortunate we have so many to enjoy in the area.

The Wilbur D. May Museum is open to the public, is set in the best location, and is rarely crowded, making them for an experience that's relaxed and enjoyable.

You can find the museum inside Rancho San Rafael Park, Renos biggest and most dynamic park. Read more about it HERE.

NOTES

-The museum's gift shop is one of the best in town and includes fun gifts and items showcasing different cultures around the world.  During the holidays, it becomes a real gem for unique finds.

-Admission to traveling exhibits includes access to the permanent May Collection and gallery.

-There is a free age appropriate scavenger hunt for both kids & adults to enjoy while exploring the museum.  Request for the form while paying for admission.

-Group rates are available for groups of fifteen or more for both special exhibits and guided tours.

-Every year the Dragon Lights Festival is held in Rancho San Rafael Park - the same park where the museum is located. It is a festive and magical community event that features tons of handmade lanterns, interactive displays, food trucks, photo ops, and so much more. 

-I highly suggest exploring the arboretum found right next to the museum on your visit. It offers peaceful paths, lovely trees, and a relaxing way to extend your visit.

***Information subject to change.  All opinions are my own.***

© Photography 

Katherine Fung,

All rights reserved.

 Categorized under "Museums"