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

Ironworks Hotel Indy

Ironworks Hotel Indy

4 out of 5
2721 E 86th Street Indianapolis IN
The price is ฿4,521 per night from 23 Nov to 24 Nov
฿4,521
฿5,290 total
23 Nov - 24 Nov
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! (1,700 reviews)
Amazing!

Reviewed on 14 Nov 2025

Ironworks Hotel Indy
Bottleworks Hotel

Bottleworks Hotel

4.5 out of 5
850 Massachusetts Avenue Indianapolis IN
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! (1,675 reviews)
Room was very clean and quiet. Bed was comfortable and thermostat/HVAC quick to accommodate temp setting and maintained temp well. Photos along the hotel corridors added to the swanky vibe of the hotel.

Reviewed on 19 Nov 2025

Bottleworks Hotel
Courtyard by Marriott Indianapolis Downtown

Courtyard by Marriott Indianapolis Downtown

3 out of 5
601 West Washington Street Indianapolis IN
The price is ฿3,158 per night from 23 Nov to 24 Nov
฿3,158
฿3,765 total
23 Nov - 24 Nov
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! (1,012 reviews)
Exceeding all expectations! Exceptional service and phenomenal location. We loved the walkable location

Reviewed on 21 Nov 2025

Courtyard by Marriott Indianapolis Downtown
Sheraton Indianapolis Hotel at Keystone Crossing

Sheraton Indianapolis Hotel at Keystone Crossing

4 out of 5
8787 Keystone Crossing Indianapolis IN
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is ฿2,824 per night from 30 Nov to 1 Dec
฿2,824
฿3,304 total
30 Nov - 1 Dec
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Indianapolis. Enjoy breakfast (surcharge), room service and a fitness centre. Our guests praise the helpful staff and ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,368 reviews)
Great staff. Fast check in

Reviewed on 15 Nov 2025

Sheraton Indianapolis Hotel at Keystone Crossing
Omni Severin Hotel

Omni Severin Hotel

4 out of 5
40 West Jackson Place Indianapolis IN
The price is ฿5,427 per night from 14 Dec to 15 Dec
฿5,427
฿6,387 total
14 Dec - 15 Dec
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! (733 reviews)
Great

Reviewed on 18 Nov 2025

Omni Severin Hotel
Crowne Plaza Indianapolis-Dwtn-Union Stn by IHG

Crowne Plaza Indianapolis-Dwtn-Union Stn by IHG

3.5 out of 5
123 W Louisiana St Indianapolis IN
The price is ฿3,072 per night from 24 Nov to 25 Nov
฿3,072
฿3,626 total
24 Nov - 25 Nov
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Indianapolis. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 2 restaurants and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,001 reviews)
Great Staff, Rooms Clean.

Reviewed on 19 Nov 2025

Crowne Plaza Indianapolis-Dwtn-Union Stn by IHG
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