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 outdoor art
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 Rp3.031.805 per night from 29 Mar to 30 Mar
Rp3.031.805
Rp3.547.262 total
29 Mar - 30 Mar
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! (1,845 reviews)
I loved the character of the hotel. It eas very unique.

Reviewed on 22 Mar 2026

Ironworks Hotel Indy
Omni Severin Hotel

Omni Severin Hotel

4 out of 5
40 West Jackson Place Indianapolis IN
The price is Rp2.830.362 per night from 29 Mar to 30 Mar
Rp2.830.362
Rp3.353.098 total
29 Mar - 30 Mar
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! (886 reviews)
Clean room | beautiful hotel | friendly staff | great location

Reviewed on 20 Mar 2026

Omni Severin Hotel
Bottleworks Hotel

Bottleworks Hotel

4.5 out of 5
850 Massachusetts Avenue Indianapolis IN
The price is Rp3.184.157 per night from 29 Mar to 30 Mar
Rp3.184.157
Rp3.747.859 total
29 Mar - 30 Mar
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! (1,829 reviews)
Room was very clean, very nice staff

Reviewed on 21 Mar 2026

Bottleworks Hotel
Sonesta Select Indianapolis Carmel

Sonesta Select Indianapolis Carmel

3 out of 5
37 W 103rd Street Indianapolis IN
The price is Rp1.340.698 per night from 23 Mar to 24 Mar
Rp1.340.698
Rp1.541.802 total
23 Mar - 24 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Indianapolis. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a 24-hour fitness centre. Our guests praise the clean rooms in their ...
7.8/10 Good! (1,132 reviews)
This was a nice clean and quiet place. I will definitely stay here again. It’s in a corporate business complex so it’s quiet after business hours which I was a huge plus for me.

Reviewed on 20 Mar 2026

Sonesta Select Indianapolis Carmel
Drury Plaza Hotel Indianapolis Carmel

Drury Plaza Hotel Indianapolis Carmel

3 out of 5
9625 North Meridian St Indianapolis IN
The price is Rp1.828.055 per night from 29 Mar to 30 Mar
Rp1.828.055
Rp2.102.264 total
29 Mar - 30 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Indianapolis. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in their ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (1,639 reviews)
My stay at this hotel was great. The staff was pleasant and a happy hour was great. The boys enjoy the pool. I will definitely stay here again.

Reviewed on 21 Mar 2026

Drury Plaza Hotel Indianapolis Carmel
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 Rp1.929.453 per night from 29 Mar to 30 Mar
Rp1.929.453
Rp2.257.460 total
29 Mar - 30 Mar
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 ...
8/10 Very Good! (1,002 reviews)
Front desk staff rude and can’t be bothered with questions you have. Room that was booked wasn’t available. Had to wait for another to be cleaned. I had drove 7 hours to be told you can’t checkin. . Didn’t get a room til 4:30 which put me behind getting to the hospital to see my brother.

Reviewed on 20 Mar 2026

Embassy Suites by Hilton Indianapolis North
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

Indianapolis white river state park

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, Glendale Town Center and Indianapolis Art Center are some notable places to visit nearby.

Broad Ripple
A great Salmon Dish.

Meridian-Kessler

If you're spending some time in Meridian-Kessler, Indiana State Fairgrounds and Marsh Grandstand are top sights worth seeing.

Meridian-Kessler
Have some tea with Pooh or check out the dinosaurs. This is one of the most impressive children's museum around.

Mapleton/Fall Creek

Travellers enjoy Mapleton/Fall Creek for its museums and live music. Consider checking out Freetown Village while you're in the area.

Mapleton/Fall Creek
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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


Carmel Arts and Design District Travel Guide