Carmel Arts and Design District Travel Guide

Indianapolis

Carmel Arts and Design District showing flowers, a fountain and signage
Carmel Arts and Design District
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 Rp2.986.672 per night from 9 Nov to 10 Nov
Rp2.986.672
Rp3.494.456 total
9 Nov - 10 Nov
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Indianapolis. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and 4 restaurants. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (1,679 reviews)
Excellent Hotel, exceptional staff

Reviewed on 31 Oct 2025

Ironworks Hotel Indy
Crowne Plaza Indianapolis-Dwtn-Union Stn by IHG

Crowne Plaza Indianapolis-Dwtn-Union Stn by IHG

3.5 out of 5
123 W Louisiana St, Indianapolis, IN
The price is Rp2.121.916 per night from 11 Nov to 12 Nov
Rp2.121.916
Rp2.499.350 total
11 Nov - 12 Nov
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3.5-star business-friendly hotel in Indianapolis. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 2 restaurants and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,008 reviews)
Great experience. Enjoyed staying in the train car! Staff was professional. Would stay here again.

Reviewed on 1 Nov 2025

Crowne Plaza Indianapolis-Dwtn-Union Stn by IHG
Courtyard by Marriott Indianapolis Downtown

Courtyard by Marriott Indianapolis Downtown

3 out of 5
601 West Washington Street, Indianapolis, IN
The price is Rp2.090.171 per night from 4 Dec to 5 Dec
Rp2.090.171
Rp2.481.806 total
4 Dec - 5 Dec
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Indianapolis. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a 24-hour fitness centre. Our guests praise the helpful ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,011 reviews)
We used an Uber so didn't park, but the Bistro in the lobby was great! Getting home after a long day at the FFA Convention, it was nice to have a limited bar in the lobby to grab a drink and head to your room. It was also great having delicious coffee in the morning on yoir way to another long fun ...

Reviewed on 2 Nov 2025

Courtyard by Marriott Indianapolis Downtown
Omni Severin Hotel

Omni Severin Hotel

4 out of 5
40 West Jackson Place, Indianapolis, IN
The price is Rp2.793.578 per night from 23 Nov to 24 Nov
Rp2.793.578
Rp3.288.035 total
23 Nov - 24 Nov
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Indianapolis. Enjoy breakfast (surcharge), room service and a 24-hour health club. Our guests praise the helpful ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (706 reviews)
Close to downtown and Lucas oil stadium.

Reviewed on 2 Nov 2025

Omni Severin Hotel
Sheraton Indianapolis Hotel at Keystone Crossing

Sheraton Indianapolis Hotel at Keystone Crossing

4 out of 5
8787 Keystone Crossing, Indianapolis, IN
The price is Rp1.450.812 per night from 9 Nov to 10 Nov
Rp1.450.812
Rp1.697.450 total
9 Nov - 10 Nov
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Indianapolis. Enjoy breakfast (surcharge), room service and a fitness centre. Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,360 reviews)
The place was amazing. Many of us came to my brother-in-laws retirement party from Wisconsin and selected to stay with Sheraton. We were not disappointed. From the fabulous bedding and comfy pillows to the staff at the bar with our groups needs everything was great! Thank you!

Reviewed on 2 Nov 2025

Sheraton Indianapolis Hotel at Keystone Crossing
Bottleworks Hotel

Bottleworks Hotel

4.5 out of 5
850 Massachusetts Avenue, Indianapolis, IN
The price is Rp2.986.672 per night from 9 Nov to 10 Nov
Rp2.986.672
Rp3.511.082 total
9 Nov - 10 Nov
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Indianapolis. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a full-service spa and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (1,653 reviews)
Everything about this hotel is rad.

Reviewed on 1 Nov 2025

Bottleworks Hotel
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

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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
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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
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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
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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