Carmel Arts and Design District Travel Guide

Indianapolis

A fountain, a street with cars, and a sign for Carmel Arts & Design District.
A colorful building with a mural, a street sign, and a flower basket.
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 street lined with red brick buildings, some with balconies and signage for a coach studio and a design studio.

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

Omni Severin Hotel

Omni Severin Hotel

4 out of 5
40 West Jackson Place Indianapolis IN
The price is Rp2.751.787 per night from 24 Nov to 25 Nov
Rp2.751.787
Rp3.258.836 total
24 Nov - 25 Nov
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! (1,536 reviews)
"It was exceptional, very clean, super nice staff , super close to Lucas Oil stadium, restaurants just outside or around the corner from the Omni. Will stay again, highly recommended 10/10."

Reviewed on 9 Nov 2026

Omni Severin Hotel
Ironworks Hotel Indy

Ironworks Hotel Indy

4 out of 5
2721 E 86th Street Indianapolis IN
The price is Rp3.239.740 per night from 22 Nov to 23 Nov
Rp3.239.740
Rp3.790.550 total
22 Nov - 23 Nov
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! (2,167 reviews)
"Very industrial/ rustic vibes in an upscale setting."

Reviewed on 8 Nov 2026

Ironworks Hotel Indy
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 Rp2.506.219 per night from 24 Nov to 25 Nov
Rp2.506.219
Rp2.932.277 total
24 Nov - 25 Nov
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! (1,017 reviews)
"The satellite tv glitched and you couldn’t watch anything and the pool was closed the whole trip which would have been nice to know when I booked everything else was great just a little disappointing to not be able to watch tv"

Reviewed on 10 Nov 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 Rp2.106.360 per night from 25 Nov to 26 Nov
Rp2.106.360
Rp2.464.443 total
25 Nov - 26 Nov
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Indianapolis. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a 24-hour fitness centre and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
The Fontana Hotel
Delta Hotels by Marriott Indianapolis Airport

Delta Hotels by Marriott Indianapolis Airport

3.5 out of 5
5860 Fortune Cir W Indianapolis IN
The price is Rp1.971.265 per night from 21 Nov to 22 Nov
Rp1.971.265
Rp2.306.380 total
21 Nov - 22 Nov
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Indianapolis. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
Delta Hotels by Marriott Indianapolis Airport
Courtyard by Marriott Indianapolis Downtown

Courtyard by Marriott Indianapolis Downtown

3 out of 5
601 West Washington Street Indianapolis IN
The price is Rp2.423.390 per night from 24 Nov to 25 Nov
Rp2.423.390
Rp2.874.610 total
24 Nov - 25 Nov
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 ...
Courtyard by Marriott 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

Visitors to Downtown Indianapolis love its popular shops, and you can check out Gainbridge Fieldhouse and Lucas Oil Stadium. If you want to see more in the area, you can get around town on the metro at Methodist Station.

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.

Babe Denny

While Babe Denny may not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like Lucas Oil Stadium and Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

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