Carmel Arts and Design District Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Carmel Arts and Design District featuring signage, flowers and a fountain
Carmel Arts and Design District
Carmel Arts and Design District showing signage
Carmel Arts and Design District which includes 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

Activities


Our pick of the best Carmel Arts and Design District Hotel Deals

Ironworks Hotel Indy

Ironworks Hotel Indy

4 out of 5
2721 E 86th Street, Indianapolis, IN
The price is AU$317 per night from 6 Aug to 7 Aug
AU$317
6 Aug - 7 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Indianapolis. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 4 restaurants. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (1,535 reviews)
"Great hotel with good restaurant and bar"

Reviewed on 31 Jul. 2025

Ironworks Hotel Indy
Courtyard by Marriott Indianapolis Downtown

Courtyard by Marriott Indianapolis Downtown

3 out of 5
601 West Washington Street, Indianapolis, IN
The price is AU$244 per night from 10 Aug to 11 Aug
AU$244
10 Aug - 11 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Indianapolis. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the helpful ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,002 reviews)
"It was a one night stay on our way to Kansas. If I had a child going to one of the surrounding schools I would absolutely stay there- great location!"

Reviewed on 30 Jul. 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
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is AU$157 per night from 31 Aug to 1 Sept
AU$157
31 Aug - 1 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Indianapolis. Enjoy breakfast (surcharge), room service, and a fitness center. Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,283 reviews)
"Sheraton delivered!"

Reviewed on 1 Aug. 2025

Sheraton Indianapolis Hotel at Keystone Crossing
Sheraton Indianapolis City Centre Hotel

Sheraton Indianapolis City Centre Hotel

4 out of 5
31 W Ohio St, Indianapolis, IN
The price is AU$226 per night from 5 Aug to 6 Aug
AU$226
5 Aug - 6 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Indianapolis. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the helpful ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,001 reviews)
"The room was comfortable for our stay. Unfortunately, there were no king bed rooms available when we arrived even though that’s what we booked. Suhaib at the front desk was accommodating and provided us a breakfast voucher which was appreciated."

Reviewed on 27 Jul. 2025

Sheraton Indianapolis City Centre Hotel
Omni Severin Hotel

Omni Severin Hotel

4 out of 5
40 West Jackson Place, Indianapolis, IN
The price is AU$304 per night from 17 Aug to 18 Aug
AU$304
17 Aug - 18 Aug
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 ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (549 reviews)
"Very clean, polite staff, place was busy and front entrance under remodel but even with that it was a fun, smooth stay"

Reviewed on 31 Jul. 2025

Omni Severin Hotel
Hampton Inn Indianapolis Downtown IUPUI

Hampton Inn Indianapolis Downtown IUPUI

2.5 out of 5
414 West Vermont Street, Indianapolis, IN
The price is AU$230 per night from 10 Aug to 11 Aug
AU$230
10 Aug - 11 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Indianapolis. Enjoy free breakfast, a 24-hour fitness center, and valet parking (surcharge). Our guests praise ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (656 reviews)
"Always enjoy my stay here. Very accommodating and the staff is always friendly."

Reviewed on 30 Jul. 2025

Hampton Inn Indianapolis Downtown IUPUI
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 featuring landscape views, a park and hiking or walking

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 showing autumn leaves and road cycling 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
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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

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