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 Rp2.917.181 per night from 1 Sept to 2 Sept
Rp2.917.181
Rp3.413.150 total
1 Sept - 2 Sept
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! (1,574 reviews)
"What an amazing hotel. Staff was top notch and there was incredible dining by just walking across the property parking lot, or within the hotel. I would LOVE to stay here again and will recommend it to others in a heartbeat."

Reviewed on 22 Aug 2025

Ironworks Hotel Indy
Wyndham Indianapolis Airport

Wyndham Indianapolis Airport

3.5 out of 5
2544 Executive Dr, Indianapolis, IN
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is Rp1.785.979 per night from 31 Aug to 1 Sept
Rp1.785.979
Rp2.089.595 total
31 Aug - 1 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3.5-star business-friendly hotel in Indianapolis. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and an outdoor pool. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
7.8/10 Good! (1,349 reviews)
"Overall I thought the property was quite nice. However, it appears they need to do some infrastructure work on the plumbing as when I told the clerk at the front desk as I was leaving that the toilet was sluggish and did not always flush properly, he said, “I know that“. I said something to the effect ..."

Reviewed on 20 Aug 2025

Wyndham 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 Rp2.182.592 per night from 27 Aug to 28 Aug
Rp2.182.592
Rp2.572.690 total
27 Aug - 28 Aug
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! (1,006 reviews)
"Loved the area - very clean- room was nice and comfortable."

Reviewed on 22 Aug 2025

Courtyard by Marriott Indianapolis Downtown
Sheraton Indianapolis Hotel at Keystone Crossing

Sheraton Indianapolis Hotel at Keystone Crossing

4 out of 5
8787 Keystone Crossing, Indianapolis, IN
The price is Rp1.417.056 per night from 24 Aug to 25 Aug
Rp1.417.056
Rp1.657.956 total
24 Aug - 25 Aug
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 ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,294 reviews)
"Loved the staff, bar restaurant, check in registration was so helpful."

Reviewed on 19 Aug 2025

Sheraton Indianapolis Hotel at Keystone Crossing
Bottleworks Hotel

Bottleworks Hotel

4.5 out of 5
850 Massachusetts Avenue, Indianapolis, IN
The price is Rp2.917.181 per night from 31 Aug to 1 Sept
Rp2.917.181
Rp3.432.159 total
31 Aug - 1 Sept
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! (1,543 reviews)
"Very new, clean, fancy boutique hotel, within walking distance of loads of things to do and eat"

Reviewed on 19 Aug 2025

Bottleworks Hotel
JW Marriott Indianapolis

JW Marriott Indianapolis

4 out of 5
10 S West Street, Indianapolis, IN
The price is Rp2.752.672 per night from 30 Aug to 31 Aug
Rp2.752.672
Rp3.716.107 total
30 Aug - 31 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Indianapolis. Enjoy breakfast (surcharge), a 24-hour fitness centre and valet parking (surcharge). Our guests ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,266 reviews)
"Good experience!"

Reviewed on 19 Aug 2025

JW Marriott Indianapolis
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
Fort Harrison State Park which includes autumn colours, forests and landscape views

Lawrence

You'll enjoy the restaurants and shopping in Lawrence. You might want to make time for a stop at Fort Harrison State Park or Post Road Recreation Center.

Lawrence
Eagle Creek Park featuring road cycling and autumn colours as well as an individual male

Pike

Pike is known for its ample dining options, and you can make a stop by Eagle Creek Park and Bethel AME Church while in the area.

Pike
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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

Carmel Arts and Design District Travel Guide