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 Rp3.235.441 per night from 19 Jul to 20 Jul
Rp3.235.441
Rp3.785.466 total
19 Jul - 20 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! (2,014 reviews)
"Great shower"

Reviewed on 12 Jul 2026

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 Rp2.297.868 per night from 15 Jul to 16 Jul
Rp2.297.868
Rp2.727.634 total
15 Jul - 16 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! (1,191 reviews)
"Clean room, close to parking garage"

Reviewed on 13 Jul 2026

Courtyard by Marriott Indianapolis Downtown
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 14 Jul to 15 Jul
Rp1.719.788
Rp2.012.152 total
14 Jul - 15 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! (1,025 reviews)
"Nice stay."

Reviewed on 13 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! (1,119 reviews)
"Hello was very nice. Clean , elegant, Employees were very helpful ."

Reviewed on 13 Jul 2026

Omni Severin Hotel
JW Marriott Indianapolis

JW Marriott Indianapolis

4 out of 5
10 S West Street Indianapolis IN
The price is Rp3.020.468 per night from 2 Aug to 3 Aug
Rp3.020.468
Rp4.101.550 total
2 Aug - 3 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Indianapolis. Enjoy breakfast (surcharge), a 24-hour fitness centre and valet parking (surcharge). Our guests praise ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (1,352 reviews)
"Amo"

Reviewed on 12 Jul 2026

JW Marriott Indianapolis
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 Rp1.981.008 per night from 13 Aug to 14 Aug
Rp1.981.008
Rp2.335.985 total
13 Aug - 14 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! (1,020 reviews)
"This is the worst hotel I’ve ever stayed at. I travel several times a year and I’m shocked at just how bad this hotel is. I had several issues with poor customer service ranging from parking/valet issues, inaccurately advertised services and prices , housekeeping problems etc and every time I brought ..."

Reviewed on 13 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