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 ฿5,793 per night from 19 Oct to 20 Oct
฿5,793
per night
19 Oct - 20 Oct
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Indianapolis. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and 4 restaurants. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (1,638 reviews)
"Beautiful hotel"

Reviewed on 29 Sept 2025

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 ฿4,731 per night from 17 Oct to 18 Oct
฿4,731
per night
17 Oct - 18 Oct
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Indianapolis. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a 24-hour fitness centre. Our guests praise the helpful ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,021 reviews)
"The staff was very kind and helpful throughout the stay. The air conditioning unit was very loud and would do an unexpected loud clunking sound periodically during the night. The Bistro restaurant serves delicious food. We are there several times during our stay. I received my food Saturday morning ..."

Reviewed on 6 Oct 2025

Courtyard by Marriott Indianapolis Downtown
Omni Severin Hotel

Omni Severin Hotel

4 out of 5
40 West Jackson Place, Indianapolis, IN
The price is ฿5,537 per night from 26 Oct to 27 Oct
฿5,537
per night
26 Oct - 27 Oct
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Indianapolis. Enjoy breakfast (surcharge), room service and a 24-hour health club. Our guests praise the helpful ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (638 reviews)
"I had a fantastic day there. The staff was friendly and helpful. I truly felt at home there."

Reviewed on 30 Sept 2025

Omni Severin Hotel
Bottleworks Hotel

Bottleworks Hotel

4.5 out of 5
850 Massachusetts Avenue, Indianapolis, IN
The price is ฿5,793 per night from 19 Oct to 20 Oct
฿5,793
per night
19 Oct - 20 Oct
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Indianapolis. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a full-service spa and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (1,590 reviews)
"Alert parking, very friendly staff. Lively room, very clean"

Reviewed on 5 Oct 2025

Bottleworks Hotel
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 ฿3,819 per night from 12 Oct to 13 Oct
฿3,819
per night
12 Oct - 13 Oct
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! (1,019 reviews)
"Staff was good, room was clean, breakfast was good. Hotel is definitely in need of some updates. Humidifiers as soon as you walked in and in every floor was a bit of a turn off. Amount we paid was not worth it, but overall a good stay. Would probably stay again but not paying the price we did."

Reviewed on 28 Sept 2025

Embassy Suites by Hilton Indianapolis North
Sheraton Indianapolis Hotel at Keystone Crossing

Sheraton Indianapolis Hotel at Keystone Crossing

4 out of 5
8787 Keystone Crossing, Indianapolis, IN
The price is ฿2,814 per night from 12 Oct to 13 Oct
฿2,814
per night
12 Oct - 13 Oct
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Indianapolis. Enjoy breakfast (surcharge), room service and a fitness centre. Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,335 reviews)
"Definitely yes"

Reviewed on 30 Sept 2025

Sheraton Indianapolis Hotel at Keystone Crossing
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, Indianapolis Art Center and Glendale Shopping Mall 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
Fort Harrison State Park which includes autumn colours, forests and landscape views

Lawrence

You'll enjoy the restaurants and shopping in Lawrence. You might want to make time for a stop at Fort Harrison State Park or Post Road Recreation Center.

Lawrence
Eagle Creek Park featuring road cycling and autumn colours as well as an individual male

Pike

Pike is known for its ample dining options, and you can make a stop by Eagle Creek Park and SportZone while in the area.

Pike
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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


Carmel Arts and Design District Travel Guide