Carmel Arts and Design District Travel Guide

Indianapolis

A brick building with a fountain, a sign reading "Carmel Arts & Design District," and a street with cars and a truck.
A colorful building with a mural, a street lamp, and a car parked on the street.
A sign for Bub's Burgers & Ice Cream with a burger illustration.
A person reading a book on a bench in an urban setting.
A person painting a landscape with a bridge and trees.

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.


Stay near popular Carmel Arts and Design District attractions

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 ฿5,552 per night from 27 Sept to 28 Sept
฿5,552
per night
27 Sept - 28 Sept
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 ...
Ironworks Hotel Indy
Omni Severin Hotel

Omni Severin Hotel

4 out of 5
40 West Jackson Place Indianapolis IN
The price is ฿4,997 per night from 18 Sept to 19 Sept
฿4,997
per night
18 Sept - 19 Sept
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 ...
Omni Severin 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 ฿4,472 per night from 27 Sept to 28 Sept
฿4,472
per night
27 Sept - 28 Sept
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 ...
8.2/10 Very good! (1,002 reviews)
"We really enjoyed our stay! The hotel was very nice, clean, and comfortable. It could use a few minor updates here and there, but nothing that took away from our experience. The staff was friendly and welcoming, and the amenities were great. Overall, we had a great stay and would definitely stay ..."

Reviewed on 12 Sept 2026

Embassy Suites by Hilton Indianapolis North
The Fontana Hotel

The Fontana Hotel

2.5 out of 5
7304 E 21st St Indianapolis IN
The price is ฿2,941 per night from 13 Sept to 14 Sept
฿2,941
per night
13 Sept - 14 Sept
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Indianapolis. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and a 24-hour fitness centre. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their ...
8.2/10 Very good! (1,009 reviews)
"The hotel and room were very clean and nice. The staff were excellent - we had an issue with our AC not working and they were incredibly quick to move us rooms and resolve the issue. They offered us water when we checked in, had complimentary breakfast, and was overall just a great stay."

Reviewed on 11 Sept 2026

The Fontana Hotel
Courtyard by Marriott Indianapolis Downtown

Courtyard by Marriott Indianapolis Downtown

3 out of 5
601 West Washington Street Indianapolis IN
The price is ฿5,035 per night from 16 Sept to 17 Sept
฿5,035
per night
16 Sept - 17 Sept
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 ...
Courtyard by Marriott Indianapolis Downtown
Bottleworks Hotel

Bottleworks Hotel

4.5 out of 5
850 Massachusetts Avenue Indianapolis IN
The price is ฿5,181 per night from 20 Sept to 21 Sept
฿5,181
per night
20 Sept - 21 Sept
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! (1,899 reviews)
"Excellence place"

Reviewed on 11 Sept 2026

Bottleworks 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.

Where to stay in Carmel Arts and Design District

Find the best Carmel Arts and Design District areas for the activities you enjoy most.

Downtown Indianapolis

Enjoy the popular shops in Downtown Indianapolis. Gainbridge Fieldhouse is a worthwhile stop, and you can jump on the metro at Canal Station or Indiana University-Riley Station to see more of Indianapolis.

Mile Square

The fascinating museums and prominent monuments are top of the list for many visitors to Mile Square. A stop by Gainbridge Fieldhouse or Monument Circle might round out your trip.

Wholesale District

While visiting Wholesale District, you might make a stop by sights like Gainbridge Fieldhouse and Indiana Repertory Theatre.

Speedway

You'll enjoy the museums and breweries in Speedway. You might want to make time for a stop at Indianapolis Motor Speedway or Dallara IndyCar Factory.

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.



Carmel Arts and Design District Travel Guide