Carmel Arts and Design District Travel Guide

Indianapolis

Carmel Arts and Design District
Carmel Arts and Design District
Carmel Arts and Design District
Carmel Arts and Design District
Carmel Arts and Design District

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
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is £154 per night from 3 May to 4 May
£154
3 May - 4 May
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! (1,867 reviews)
This is my favorite hotel in the Indianapolis area.

Reviewed on 12 Apr 2026

Ironworks Hotel Indy
Sonesta Select Indianapolis Carmel

Sonesta Select Indianapolis Carmel

3 out of 5
37 W 103rd Street Indianapolis IN
The price is £79 per night from 26 Apr to 27 Apr
£79
26 Apr - 27 Apr
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Indianapolis. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a 24-hour fitness centre. Our guests praise the clean rooms in their ...
7.8/10 Good! (1,168 reviews)
Was clean staff was nice an friendly

Reviewed on 12 Apr 2026

Sonesta Select Indianapolis Carmel
Omni Severin Hotel

Omni Severin Hotel

4 out of 5
40 West Jackson Place Indianapolis IN
The price is £147 per night from 19 Apr to 20 Apr
£147
19 Apr - 20 Apr
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! (923 reviews)
The property is beautiful and the staff are excellent!

Reviewed on 11 Apr 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 £134 per night from 17 Apr to 18 Apr
£134
17 Apr - 18 Apr
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! (1,100 reviews)
There was no self parking available

Reviewed on 13 Apr 2026

Courtyard by Marriott Indianapolis Downtown
Bottleworks Hotel

Bottleworks Hotel

4.5 out of 5
850 Massachusetts Avenue Indianapolis IN
The price is £164 per night from 19 Apr to 20 Apr
£164
19 Apr - 20 Apr
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! (1,857 reviews)
The hotel feels like you’ve stepped into the 1930’s! The art deco vibes are to die for. The staff was incredible & went out of their way to make our anniversary weekend a special stay. 10/10 would recommend!

Reviewed on 12 Apr 2026

Bottleworks Hotel
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 £106 per night from 26 Apr to 27 Apr
£106
26 Apr - 27 Apr
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 ...
8/10 Very Good! (1,009 reviews)
Good breakfast and staff but the building if pretty old for the price, elevators pretty bad, rooms extremely warm, we were to reception to ask about the AC and the answer was this is a old building so we open the balcony door to get cold air inside the room. Bathroom are rusted for the price the ...

Reviewed on 12 Apr 2026

Embassy Suites by Hilton Indianapolis North
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, Glendale Town Center and Indianapolis Art Center are some notable places to visit nearby.

Broad Ripple
Meridian-Kessler

Meridian-Kessler

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

Meridian-Kessler
Mapleton/Fall Creek

Mapleton/Fall Creek

Travellers enjoy Mapleton/Fall Creek for its museums and live music. Consider checking out Freetown Village while you're in the area.

Mapleton/Fall Creek
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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
Near Northside

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

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