Carmel Arts and Design District Travel Guide

Indianapolis

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

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 ฿5,634 per night from 25 Jan to 26 Jan
฿5,634
฿6,591 total
25 Jan - 26 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! (1,778 reviews)
The decor was beautiful and unique. The room was spacious and clean. We really enjoyed our stay! They must have been under construction because it was loud with banging and other things from early in the morning. Very disruptive. Also, the room service was unavailable while we were there.

Reviewed on 15 Jan 2026

Ironworks Hotel Indy
Bottleworks Hotel

Bottleworks Hotel

4.5 out of 5
850 Massachusetts Avenue Indianapolis IN
The price is ฿5,917 per night from 25 Jan to 26 Jan
฿5,917
฿6,964 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! (1,793 reviews)
Everything is always in top condition, the facility is very pleasant to visit

Reviewed on 17 Jan 2026

Bottleworks Hotel
Omni Severin Hotel

Omni Severin Hotel

4 out of 5
40 West Jackson Place Indianapolis IN
The price is ฿5,552 per night from 25 Jan to 26 Jan
฿5,552
฿6,574 total
25 Jan - 26 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! (802 reviews)
Staff was very friendly. The hotel was very nice and super clean. Recommend the city view penthouse rooms the view is awesome!! We will be staying again!!!

Reviewed on 13 Jan 2026

Omni Severin Hotel
Courtyard by Marriott Indianapolis Downtown

Courtyard by Marriott Indianapolis Downtown

3 out of 5
601 West Washington Street Indianapolis IN
The price is ฿4,191 per night from 22 Jan to 23 Jan
฿4,191
฿4,978 total
22 Jan - 23 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! (1,040 reviews)
Great stay! Pointe and friendly staff! Seamless check in. Clean and comfy rooms.

Reviewed on 19 Jan 2026

Courtyard by Marriott Indianapolis Downtown
Sheraton Indianapolis City Centre Hotel

Sheraton Indianapolis City Centre Hotel

4 out of 5
31 W Ohio St Indianapolis IN
The price is ฿3,449 per night from 8 Feb to 9 Feb
฿3,449
฿4,073 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! (1,004 reviews)
The front desk is really nice and patient with my cancellation and rebooking.

Reviewed on 11 Jan 2026

Sheraton Indianapolis City Centre Hotel
Hilton Garden Inn Indianapolis Downtown

Hilton Garden Inn Indianapolis Downtown

3.5 out of 5
10 East Market Street Indianapolis IN
The price is ฿3,609 per night from 8 Feb to 9 Feb
฿3,609
฿4,260 total
8 Feb - 9 Feb
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Indianapolis. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
9/10 Wonderful! (145 reviews)
It was clean, walkable, we really enjoyed our stay.

Reviewed on 19 Jan 2026

Hilton Garden Inn Indianapolis Downtown
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
Monon Trail in Broad Ripple, Indianapolis, Indiana - Fall 2022

Broad Ripple

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

Broad Ripple
Duck Confit Sliders.

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
President Benjamin Harrison Home

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