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
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is Rp3.235.441 per night from 26 Jul to 27 Jul
Rp3.235.441
Rp3.785.466 total
26 Jul - 27 Jul
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 ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (2,003 reviews)
"My wife and I booked a stay for two nights and everything was excellent. Angela at the front desk offered a complimentary bottle of wine since it was my birthday. We're not drinkers, so we declined and accepted the delicious complimentary chocolates she offered next. Our room was spotless and well ..."

Reviewed on 9 Jul 2026

Ironworks Hotel Indy
The Fontana Hotel

The Fontana Hotel

2.5 out of 5
7304 E 21st St Indianapolis IN
The price is Rp1.719.788 per night from 13 Jul to 14 Jul
Rp1.719.788
Rp2.012.152 total
13 Jul - 14 Jul
includes taxes & fees
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! (1,020 reviews)
"Very nice and clean Main desk - very welcoming"

Reviewed on 11 Jul 2026

The Fontana Hotel
Omni Severin Hotel

Omni Severin Hotel

4 out of 5
40 West Jackson Place Indianapolis IN
The price is Rp2.586.908 per night from 19 Jul to 20 Jul
Rp2.586.908
Rp3.065.811 total
19 Jul - 20 Jul
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 ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (1,113 reviews)
"Excellent food, staff"

Reviewed on 10 Jul 2026

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 Rp2.971.693 per night from 3 Aug to 4 Aug
Rp2.971.693
Rp3.476.971 total
3 Aug - 4 Aug
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 ...
8.2/10 Very good! (1,015 reviews)
"Stay was very nice"

Reviewed on 10 Jul 2026

Embassy Suites by Hilton Indianapolis North
Courtyard by Marriott Indianapolis Downtown

Courtyard by Marriott Indianapolis Downtown

3 out of 5
601 West Washington Street Indianapolis IN
The price is Rp2.297.868 per night from 14 Jul to 15 Jul
Rp2.297.868
Rp2.727.634 total
14 Jul - 15 Jul
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 ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,181 reviews)
"If you stay here, make sure you use the QR code texted to you every time you need to leave the parking lot. It was not clear to me that you didn’t have to pay additional parking - parking is included in your room for $40/night with a QR code that is sent to you. Half of the things in our room just ..."

Reviewed on 10 Jul 2026

Courtyard by Marriott Indianapolis Downtown
Home2 Suites by Hilton Indianapolis Downtown

Home2 Suites by Hilton Indianapolis Downtown

3 out of 5
115 N. Pennsylvania Street Ste 150 Indianapolis IN
The price is Rp2.024.147 per night from 3 Aug to 4 Aug
Rp2.024.147
Rp2.386.318 total
3 Aug - 4 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Indianapolis. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and a 24-hour fitness centre. Our guests praise the breakfast and the ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,017 reviews)
"This place is a great place to stay. My Only complaint is the breakfast and the pool. The pool was ice cold. The breakfast was constantly empty Of foods and it would take a long time to get filled up and they’d only then bring a couple of the item when there’d be a room full of people waiting. Was ..."

Reviewed on 10 Jul 2026

Home2 Suites by Hilton 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.

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.

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.

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 Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum.



Carmel Arts and Design District Travel Guide