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

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 AU$191 per night from 4 Jan to 5 Jan
AU$191
4 Jan - 5 Jan 2026
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 ...
7.8/10 Good! (1,012 reviews)
All of the Dirty, Unsafe, and Noisy comments pertain ONLY to the outside area. I had quiet and peace while in my room. I did use the washer and dryer laundry for facilities. They worked as they should and it was about three dollars to wash and dry 1 load. There are definitely worse hotels to stay ...

Reviewed on 24 Dec 2025

Embassy Suites by Hilton Indianapolis North
Ironworks Hotel Indy

Ironworks Hotel Indy

4 out of 5
2721 E 86th Street Indianapolis IN
The price is AU$312 per night from 29 Dec to 30 Dec
AU$312
29 Dec - 30 Dec
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 ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (1,754 reviews)
This is my favorite place to stay in Indy. The staff is always friendly and helpful. The property itself is beautiful with its own style and personality. The rooms are clean and nicely decorated. The shower is epic. The food from room service from the two on property restaurants was so good (dinner ...

Reviewed on 27 Dec 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$221 per night from 29 Dec to 30 Dec
AU$221
29 Dec - 30 Dec
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! (1,024 reviews)
Convenient indoor skywalk to Lucas Oil Stadium, room with clean and bed with as comfortable!

Reviewed on 26 Dec 2025

Courtyard by Marriott Indianapolis Downtown
Bottleworks Hotel

Bottleworks Hotel

4.5 out of 5
850 Massachusetts Avenue Indianapolis IN
The price is AU$314 per night from 4 Jan to 5 Jan
AU$314
4 Jan - 5 Jan 2026
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! (1,756 reviews)
Room was amazing! Staff was super helpful!

Reviewed on 25 Dec 2025

Bottleworks Hotel
Sheraton Indianapolis City Centre Hotel

Sheraton Indianapolis City Centre Hotel

4 out of 5
31 W Ohio St Indianapolis IN
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is AU$163 per night from 1 Jan to 2 Jan
AU$163
1 Jan - 2 Jan 2026
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 ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,012 reviews)
Did not have breakfast. Check in was quick and way b4 scheduled time. Beware of the construction, drilling, banging going on, front desk didn’t inform me aft a long flight. I believe all rooms were affected from the construction room #s(1001/1002/1003/1004/1005). Also, no alarm clock in rooms, requested ...

Reviewed on 24 Dec 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$311 per night from 4 Jan to 5 Jan
AU$311
4 Jan - 5 Jan 2026
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 ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (772 reviews)
Clean room and staff was friendly. The room had some cons; small bathroom and heating unit very loud and didn’t work well. It was very walkable and close to Gainbridge.

Reviewed on 21 Dec 2025

Omni Severin 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 Holliday Park 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

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