Carmel Arts and Design District Travel Guide

Indianapolis

Carmel Arts and Design District showing flowers, a fountain and signage
Carmel Arts and Design District
Carmel Arts and Design District which includes signage
Carmel Arts and Design District featuring outdoor art and a statue or sculpture
Carmel Arts and Design District featuring outdoor art

Search through the galleries and studios of Carmel's downtown arts district for antique pieces and unique works of art for your home.

Go on a tour of the Carmel Arts and Design District, a booming cultural hotspot of galleries, antique stores, restaurants, interior designers and specialty retail shops. Purchase original paintings and sculptures, participate in classes and events that support the development of the arts or simply relax in a bustling enclave of creativity.

Enter the district through one of its four brick gateways. Browse the galleries and studios and purchase paintings and sculptures by local and international artists.

On the second Saturday of every month, join the free gallery art walk, an opportunity to quiz artists about their work and inspirations.

Open up your creativity in art classes hosted by a small number of galleries. For a full list of special events, visit the district’s official website.

As you make your way through the district, pause to study the outdoor life-size sculptures. Among them are painted figures of a street musician playing a violin, a police officer greeting a passerby and a gray-haired businessman sitting on a bench reading his newspaper. These works of art were created by J. Seward Johnson Jr., an American sculptor who is noted for the realism of his work.

Rummage through specialty stores and antique shops and pick up some home décor ideas from the district's interior designer showrooms.

Enjoy lunch, dinner and refreshments in any of the cafés and restaurants scattered throughout the area.

After your visit, consider a run, hike or bike ride. The district has direct access to the Monon Trail, a biking, walking and running trail that follows an old railway line through parts of Indiana. It links parks, state fairgrounds and commercial and residential areas.

The Carmel Arts and Design District is located in the heart of downtown Carmel, about 23 miles (37 kilometers) from downtown Indianapolis and about 27 miles (44 kilometers) from Indianapolis International Airport. Find free and paid parking spaces throughout the district.


Popular places to visit

Things to do


Top hotels in Carmel Arts and Design District

Embassy Suites by Hilton Indianapolis North

Embassy Suites by Hilton Indianapolis North

3.5 out of 5
3912 Vincennes Rd Indianapolis IN
The price is ฿3,433 per night from 25 Jan to 26 Jan
฿3,433
฿4,016 total
25 Jan - 26 Jan
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Indianapolis. Enjoy free breakfast, free parking and a free local area shuttle. Our guests praise the breakfast and the ...
7.8/10 Good! (1,021 reviews)
Great staff Clean room. Loved the extra room for t.v. and relaxing

Reviewed on 4 Jan 2026

Embassy Suites by Hilton Indianapolis North
Bottleworks Hotel

Bottleworks Hotel

4.5 out of 5
850 Massachusetts Avenue Indianapolis IN
The price is ฿5,595 per night from 25 Jan to 26 Jan
฿5,595
฿6,587 total
25 Jan - 26 Jan
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this luxury hotel in Indianapolis. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a full-service spa and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (1,784 reviews)
Beautiful, spacious, clean room

Reviewed on 12 Jan 2026

Bottleworks Hotel
Ironworks Hotel Indy

Ironworks Hotel Indy

4 out of 5
2721 E 86th Street Indianapolis IN
The price is ฿5,595 per night from 18 Jan to 19 Jan
฿5,595
฿6,547 total
18 Jan - 19 Jan
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Indianapolis. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and 4 restaurants. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (1,774 reviews)
I love this hotel. It is SUPER dog friendly- they don't just accept dogs they love them. You get cute handmade treats and your dog gets all the love from the staff and there are water bowls throughout and the room is outfitted with bowls etc. it's a very clean nice hotel, parking is so easy and the ...

Reviewed on 11 Jan 2026

Ironworks Hotel Indy
Courtyard by Marriott Indianapolis Downtown

Courtyard by Marriott Indianapolis Downtown

3 out of 5
601 West Washington Street Indianapolis IN
The price is ฿4,752 per night from 14 Jan to 15 Jan
฿4,752
฿5,636 total
14 Jan - 15 Jan
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Indianapolis. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a 24-hour fitness centre. Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,034 reviews)
Perfect

Reviewed on 11 Jan 2026

Courtyard by Marriott Indianapolis Downtown
Omni Severin Hotel

Omni Severin Hotel

4 out of 5
40 West Jackson Place Indianapolis IN
The price is ฿5,224 per night from 18 Jan to 19 Jan
฿5,224
฿6,188 total
18 Jan - 19 Jan
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Indianapolis. Enjoy breakfast (surcharge), room service and a 24-hour health club. Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (798 reviews)
It was wonderful. Fodd was great and the rooms were great

Reviewed on 12 Jan 2026

Omni Severin Hotel
Sheraton Indianapolis City Centre Hotel

Sheraton Indianapolis City Centre Hotel

4 out of 5
31 W Ohio St Indianapolis IN
The price is ฿3,426 per night from 8 Feb to 9 Feb
฿3,426
฿4,045 total
8 Feb - 9 Feb
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Indianapolis. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a 24-hour fitness centre. Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,005 reviews)
The front desk is really nice and patient with my cancellation and rebooking.

Reviewed on 11 Jan 2026

Sheraton Indianapolis City Centre Hotel
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighbourhoods around Carmel Arts and Design District

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Castleton

Travellers come to Castleton for its abundant dining options, and you can see top attractions like Castleton Square and Dave & Buster's while you're in town.

Castleton
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Broad Ripple

While Broad Ripple isn't home to many top sights, Glendale Town Center and Indianapolis Art Center are some notable places to visit nearby.

Broad Ripple
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Meridian-Kessler

If you're spending some time in Meridian-Kessler, Indiana State Fairgrounds and Marsh Grandstand are top sights worth seeing.

Meridian-Kessler
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Martindale-Brightwood

You'll enjoy the parks and historical sites in Martindale-Brightwood. You might want to make time for a stop at George Washington Park or Willis Mortuary.

Martindale-Brightwood
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Near Northside

Well liked for its riverfront and historical sites, Near Northside is worth a visit. Check out the variety of things to see and do like Methodist Hospital and Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site, and jump on the metro at Methodist Station to get around the city.

Near Northside
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Near Eastside

Travellers enjoy Near Eastside for its breweries and churches. Consider checking out Mass Ave Cultural Arts District while you're in the area.

Near Eastside


Carmel Arts and Design District Travel Guide