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 NZ$346 per night from 8 Mar to 9 Mar
NZ$346
8 Mar - 9 Mar
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 ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (1,815 reviews)
Clean room, friendly staff and seamless check-in and out

Reviewed on 28 Feb 2026

Ironworks Hotel Indy
Bottleworks Hotel

Bottleworks Hotel

4.5 out of 5
850 Massachusetts Avenue Indianapolis IN
The price is NZ$369 per night from 8 Mar to 9 Mar
NZ$369
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! (1,829 reviews)
Absolutely gorgeous! So clean, so unique!

Reviewed on 28 Feb 2026

Bottleworks Hotel
Omni Severin Hotel

Omni Severin Hotel

4 out of 5
40 West Jackson Place Indianapolis IN
The price is NZ$330 per night from 8 Mar to 9 Mar
NZ$330
8 Mar - 9 Mar
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 ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (851 reviews)
The room Was very lean, the staff was very nice including the bartenders!

Reviewed on 28 Feb 2026

Omni Severin Hotel
Courtyard by Marriott Indianapolis Downtown

Courtyard by Marriott Indianapolis Downtown

3 out of 5
601 West Washington Street Indianapolis IN
Fully refundable
The price is NZ$284 per night from 6 Mar to 7 Mar
NZ$284
6 Mar - 7 Mar
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 ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,064 reviews)
The hotel was great. Check-in was great. The room was clean. The staff was very nice. A free bottle of water in the room would be nice.

Reviewed on 28 Feb 2026

Courtyard by Marriott Indianapolis Downtown
Drury Plaza Hotel Indianapolis Carmel

Drury Plaza Hotel Indianapolis Carmel

3 out of 5
9625 North Meridian St Indianapolis IN
The price is NZ$203 per night from 8 Mar to 9 Mar
NZ$203
8 Mar - 9 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Indianapolis. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in their ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (1,625 reviews)
They serve a free dinner and breakfast! The bed and pillows were every comfortable, and it was very clean

Reviewed on 28 Feb 2026

Drury Plaza Hotel Indianapolis Carmel
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Indianapolis Dtn-Conv Ctr Area by IHG

Holiday Inn Express & Suites Indianapolis Dtn-Conv Ctr Area by IHG

3 out of 5
410 S Missouri St Indianapolis IN
The price is NZ$217 per night from 8 Mar to 9 Mar
NZ$217
8 Mar - 9 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Indianapolis. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and a 24-hour fitness centre. Our guests praise the breakfast and ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,003 reviews)
There must have been some miscommunication between Expedia and the Holiday Inn Express because I tried to cancel an order, Expedia said it wouldn't process, but then, when I got there, the Holiday Inn Express said I had 2 rooms and wouldn't allow me to cancel one of them. They said to talk to Expedia. ...

Reviewed on 1 Mar 2026

Holiday Inn Express & Suites Indianapolis Dtn-Conv Ctr Area by IHG
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.

The Annual Holiday Sale

Members save up to 40% on hotels and homes. Plan this year’s big trip and save.

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 Holliday Park 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
Have some tea with Pooh or check out the dinosaurs. This is one of the most impressive children's museum around.

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
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


Carmel Arts and Design District Travel Guide

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