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 featuring signage, flowers and a fountain
Carmel Arts and Design District showing outdoor art
Carmel Arts and Design District showing signage
Carmel Arts and Design District which includes outdoor art and a statue or sculpture

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$296 per night from 15 Feb to 16 Feb
AU$296
15 Feb - 16 Feb
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! (1,789 reviews)
1

Reviewed on 5 Feb 2026

Ironworks Hotel Indy
Bottleworks Hotel

Bottleworks Hotel

4.5 out of 5
850 Massachusetts Avenue Indianapolis IN
The price is AU$313 per night from 8 Mar to 9 Mar
AU$313
8 Mar - 9 Mar
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! (1,831 reviews)
Yes

Reviewed on 3 Feb 2026

Bottleworks Hotel
Omni Severin Hotel

Omni Severin Hotel

4 out of 5
40 West Jackson Place Indianapolis IN
The price is AU$297 per night from 15 Feb to 16 Feb
AU$297
15 Feb - 16 Feb
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! (820 reviews)
The staff was amazing, the room was super clean and comfortable. My only complaint was that the room was a little cold, we had a corner unit and there were lots of windows. But we turned up the heat and was fine!

Reviewed on 4 Feb 2026

Omni Severin 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 AU$189 per night from 1 Mar to 2 Mar
AU$189
1 Mar - 2 Mar
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! (1,013 reviews)
The room was very nice and clean the staff was wonderful and by far the best free breakfast I’ve ever gotten.

Reviewed on 1 Feb 2026

Embassy Suites by Hilton Indianapolis North
Courtyard by Marriott Indianapolis Downtown

Courtyard by Marriott Indianapolis Downtown

3 out of 5
601 West Washington Street Indianapolis IN
The price is AU$240 per night from 14 Feb to 15 Feb
AU$240
14 Feb - 15 Feb
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! (1,048 reviews)
Great staff, clean and welcoming, lots of parking and easy to get to, plus perfect location!

Reviewed on 4 Feb 2026

Courtyard by Marriott Indianapolis Downtown
JW Marriott Indianapolis

JW Marriott Indianapolis

4 out of 5
10 S West Street Indianapolis IN
The price is AU$356 per night from 19 Feb to 20 Feb
AU$356
19 Feb - 20 Feb
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Indianapolis. Enjoy breakfast (surcharge), a 24-hour fitness centre and valet parking (surcharge). Our guests praise ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,332 reviews)
Room was great!! Loved the hotel!

Reviewed on 24 Jan 2026

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

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, Indianapolis Art Center and Glendale Shopping Mall are some notable places to visit nearby.

Broad Ripple
A great Salmon Dish.

Meridian-Kessler

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

Meridian-Kessler
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
President Benjamin Harrison Home

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
Default Image

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

Choose two or more items and save on your trip: