Carmel Arts and Design District Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

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

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$305 per night from 12 Apr to 13 Apr
AU$305
per night
12 Apr - 13 Apr
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! (1,854 reviews)
Five stars isn’t enough! Gorgeous hotel, super clean and every thoughtful detail was covered. The food was outstanding as well.

Reviewed on 28 Mar 2026

Ironworks Hotel Indy
Omni Severin Hotel

Omni Severin Hotel

4 out of 5
40 West Jackson Place Indianapolis IN
The price is AU$288 per night from 12 Apr to 13 Apr
AU$288
per night
12 Apr - 13 Apr
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! (897 reviews)
This has been one of the best hotel stays that we have had in a while! The staff were so genuine and helpful. Javier’s communication was excellent. The room was nice and clean, the bed was comfy and the shower was perfect! The one downside was the pool said it was heated and it was not.

Reviewed on 28 Mar 2026

Omni Severin Hotel
Bottleworks Hotel

Bottleworks Hotel

4.5 out of 5
850 Massachusetts Avenue Indianapolis IN
The price is AU$322 per night from 12 Apr to 13 Apr
AU$322
per night
12 Apr - 13 Apr
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! (1,841 reviews)
The hotel was clean and had a great smell - so great we bought a bottle of room spray to take home. The history of the building was amazing and the way they featured the history of the bottling plant into the design of the hotel was top notch. I highly recommend and would love to stay here ...

Reviewed on 28 Mar 2026

Bottleworks Hotel
Sonesta Select Indianapolis Carmel

Sonesta Select Indianapolis Carmel

3 out of 5
37 W 103rd Street Indianapolis IN
The price is AU$132 per night from 30 Mar to 31 Mar
AU$132
per night
30 Mar - 31 Mar
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! (1,142 reviews)
Clean and nice

Reviewed on 28 Mar 2026

Sonesta Select Indianapolis Carmel
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$225 per night from 12 Apr to 13 Apr
AU$225
per night
12 Apr - 13 Apr
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! (1,003 reviews)
Great hotel for price and what you get; free parking, free breakfast, pool, two drinks per night.

Reviewed on 28 Mar 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$247 per night from 31 Mar to 1 Apr
AU$247
per night
31 Mar - 1 Apr
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 ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,083 reviews)
The parking was a mess so many cars when we checked in and valet wasn’t an option. The pool was closed down. That’s only reason I booked this specific spot was for the pool. The breakfast was excellent.

Reviewed on 28 Mar 2026

Courtyard by Marriott Indianapolis Downtown
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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