Carmel Arts and Design District Travel Guide

Indianapolis
Carmel Arts and Design District showing flowers, a fountain and signage
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

Wyndham Indianapolis Airport
Wyndham Indianapolis Airport
3.5 out of 5
2544 Executive Dr, Indianapolis, IN
The price is Rp1.537.803 per night from 17 Nov to 18 Nov
Rp1.537.803
Rp1.799.229 total
includes taxes & fees
17 Nov - 18 Nov
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! (685 reviews)
Great service!
"Shannon at the front desk was awesome. Room was ready early & clean. They kindly brought extra towels up. Great stay!!!"

Reviewed on 4 Nov 2024

Wyndham Indianapolis Airport
Ironworks Hotel Indy
Ironworks Hotel Indy
4 out of 5
2721 E 86th Street, Indianapolis, IN
The price is Rp3.104.916 per night from 24 Nov to 25 Nov
Rp3.104.916
Rp3.632.751 total
includes taxes & fees
24 Nov - 25 Nov
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! (1,215 reviews)
"Love the industrial theme and the natural light in the room"

Reviewed on 31 Oct 2024

Ironworks Hotel Indy
Omni Severin Hotel
Omni Severin Hotel
4 out of 5
40 West Jackson Place, Indianapolis, IN
The price is Rp2.378.678 per night from 18 Nov to 19 Nov
Rp2.378.678
Rp2.783.054 total
includes taxes & fees
18 Nov - 19 Nov
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 ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,241 reviews)
"It is a beautiful hotel, and a wonderful location. Will come back."

Reviewed on 30 Oct 2024

Omni Severin Hotel
JW Marriott Indianapolis
JW Marriott Indianapolis
4 out of 5
10 S West Street, Indianapolis, IN
The price is Rp1.997.964 per night from 25 Nov to 26 Nov
Rp1.997.964
Rp2.337.618 total
includes taxes & fees
25 Nov - 26 Nov
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! (1,219 reviews)
"My wife and I had a wonderful time after our wedding"

Reviewed on 2 Nov 2024

JW Marriott Indianapolis
Hyatt Regency Indianapolis
Hyatt Regency Indianapolis
4 out of 5
One South Capitol Avenue, Indianapolis, IN
The price is Rp2.532.852 per night from 20 Nov to 21 Nov
Rp2.532.852
Rp2.963.437 total
includes taxes & fees
20 Nov - 21 Nov
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 ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,005 reviews)
"The hotel is very nice, very clean, and staff is very friendly! The mall attached to the hotel is unsafe and almost all stores are permanently closed. There are a few restaurants near by."

Reviewed on 27 Oct 2024

Hyatt Regency Indianapolis
Sleep Inn
Sleep Inn
2.5 out of 5
2311 N Shadeland Ave, Indianapolis, IN
The price is Rp1.057.190 per night from 20 Nov to 21 Nov
Rp1.057.190
Rp1.236.913 total
includes taxes & fees
20 Nov - 21 Nov
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Indianapolis. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,023 reviews)
in town for eras
"great price. everything was great"

Reviewed on 3 Nov 2024

Sleep Inn
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

Default Image

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
Default Image

Broad Ripple

While Broad Ripple isn't home to many top sights, Indianapolis Art Center and Holliday Park are some notable places to visit nearby.

Broad Ripple
Default Image

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 SportZone while in the area.

Pike
Default Image

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

Carmel Arts and Design District Travel Guide