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 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

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 Rp3.000.641 per night from 8 Feb to 9 Feb
Rp3.000.641
Rp3.510.750 total
8 Feb - 9 Feb
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 ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (1,785 reviews)
The staff are amazing, very nice and helpful! The hotel and rooms are always clean! The hotel restaurant/bar was delicious and the Bartenders were excellent!

Reviewed on 29 Jan 2026

Ironworks Hotel Indy
Bottleworks Hotel

Bottleworks Hotel

4.5 out of 5
850 Massachusetts Avenue Indianapolis IN
The price is Rp3.151.427 per night from 15 Feb to 16 Feb
Rp3.151.427
Rp3.709.281 total
15 Feb - 16 Feb
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! (1,824 reviews)
Perfection!

Reviewed on 1 Feb 2026

Bottleworks Hotel
Omni Severin Hotel

Omni Severin Hotel

4 out of 5
40 West Jackson Place Indianapolis IN
The price is Rp2.980.577 per night from 8 Feb to 9 Feb
Rp2.980.577
Rp3.528.777 total
8 Feb - 9 Feb
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 ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (816 reviews)
Nice room very quiet friendly staff

Reviewed on 23 Jan 2026

Omni Severin Hotel
Courtyard by Marriott Indianapolis Downtown

Courtyard by Marriott Indianapolis Downtown

3 out of 5
601 West Washington Street Indianapolis IN
The price is Rp2.548.283 per night from 6 Feb to 7 Feb
Rp2.548.283
Rp3.022.180 total
6 Feb - 7 Feb
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 ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,044 reviews)
Clean room , friendly staff.

Reviewed on 31 Jan 2026

Courtyard by Marriott Indianapolis Downtown
Hyatt Regency Indianapolis

Hyatt Regency Indianapolis

4 out of 5
One South Capitol Avenue Indianapolis IN
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is Rp2.663.886 per night from 12 Feb to 13 Feb
Rp2.663.886
Rp3.157.632 total
12 Feb - 13 Feb
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Indianapolis. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 3 restaurants and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,002 reviews)
Kind front desk!

Reviewed on 25 Jan 2026

Hyatt Regency Indianapolis
Wyndham Indianapolis Airport

Wyndham Indianapolis Airport

3.5 out of 5
2544 Executive Dr Indianapolis IN
The price is Rp1.445.033 per night from 1 Mar to 2 Mar
Rp1.445.033
Rp1.690.690 total
1 Mar - 2 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Indianapolis. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and an outdoor pool. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
8/10 Very Good! (1,490 reviews)
The room was clean, and check in was easy

Reviewed on 29 Jan 2026

Wyndham Indianapolis Airport
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, Indianapolis Art Center and Glendale Shopping Mall are some notable places to visit nearby.

Broad Ripple
Duck Confit Sliders.

Meridian-Kessler

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

Meridian-Kessler
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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
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Near Eastside

Travellers enjoy Near Eastside for its breweries and churches. Consider checking out Mass Ave Cultural Arts District while you're in the area.

Near Eastside


Carmel Arts and Design District Travel Guide