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$321 per night from 23 Nov to 24 Nov
AU$321
23 Nov - 24 Nov
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! (1,685 reviews)
The hotel was beautiful and the front desk associate

Reviewed on 9 Nov 2025

Ironworks Hotel Indy
Crowne Plaza Indianapolis-Dwtn-Union Stn by IHG

Crowne Plaza Indianapolis-Dwtn-Union Stn by IHG

3.5 out of 5
123 W Louisiana St, Indianapolis, IN
The price is AU$229 per night from 23 Nov to 24 Nov
AU$229
23 Nov - 24 Nov
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3.5-star business-friendly hotel in Indianapolis. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 restaurants, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,003 reviews)
This was my first time staying in a Train Car room. It was really nice. The bed was comfy and I had a great nights sleep. Will definitely stay there again. The front desk clerk was very helpful and knowledgeable.

Reviewed on 4 Nov 2025

Crowne Plaza Indianapolis-Dwtn-Union Stn by IHG
Courtyard by Marriott Indianapolis Downtown

Courtyard by Marriott Indianapolis Downtown

3 out of 5
601 West Washington Street, Indianapolis, IN
The price is AU$227 per night from 14 Dec to 15 Dec
AU$227
14 Dec - 15 Dec
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! (1,007 reviews)
The place is quiet and clean!

Reviewed on 8 Nov 2025

Courtyard by Marriott Indianapolis Downtown
Omni Severin Hotel

Omni Severin Hotel

4 out of 5
40 West Jackson Place, Indianapolis, IN
The price is AU$301 per night from 26 Nov to 27 Nov
AU$301
26 Nov - 27 Nov
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 ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (714 reviews)
Everything was amazing! We will stay here again every time we travel to Indianapolis.

Reviewed on 7 Nov 2025

Omni Severin Hotel
Crowne Plaza Indianapolis-Airport by IHG

Crowne Plaza Indianapolis-Airport by IHG

3.5 out of 5
2501 S High School Rd, Indianapolis, IN
The price is AU$159 per night from 16 Nov to 17 Nov
AU$159
16 Nov - 17 Nov
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3.5-star business-friendly hotel in Indianapolis. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,007 reviews)
Nice stay for a couple nights. Room could use a deep clean.

Reviewed on 7 Nov 2025

Crowne Plaza Indianapolis-Airport by IHG
Sheraton Indianapolis Hotel at Keystone Crossing

Sheraton Indianapolis Hotel at Keystone Crossing

4 out of 5
8787 Keystone Crossing, Indianapolis, IN
The price is AU$156 per night from 23 Nov to 24 Nov
AU$156
23 Nov - 24 Nov
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 ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,363 reviews)
Staff at the hotel were very nice. Gym was very good

Reviewed on 7 Nov 2025

Sheraton Indianapolis Hotel at Keystone Crossing
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
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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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