Carmel Arts and Design District Travel Guide

Indianapolis

Carmel Arts and Design District showing flowers, a fountain and signage
Carmel Arts and Design District
Carmel Arts and Design District which includes signage
Carmel Arts and Design District featuring 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


Top hotels in Carmel Arts and Design District

Wyndham Indianapolis Airport

Wyndham Indianapolis Airport

3.5 out of 5
2544 Executive Dr, Indianapolis, IN
The price is ₹9,463 per night from 28 Jul to 29 Jul
₹9,463
₹11,071 total
28 Jul - 29 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3.5-star business-friendly hotel in Indianapolis. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and an outdoor pool. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
7.8/10 Good! (1,281 reviews)
"The hotel was clean and smelled good. The staff was nice and helpful, they did a great job keeping our clean and stocked. The pool needed to be cleaned! The Temp in the halls was HOT!"

Reviewed on 19 Jul 2025

Wyndham Indianapolis Airport
Ironworks Hotel Indy

Ironworks Hotel Indy

4 out of 5
2721 E 86th Street, Indianapolis, IN
The price is ₹15,456 per night from 28 Jul to 29 Jul
₹15,456
₹18,084 total
28 Jul - 29 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Indianapolis. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and 4 restaurants. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (1,517 reviews)
"Stayed overnight with my two dogs and everyone was so nice and accommodating to them…they loved all the treats and attention"

Reviewed on 20 Jul 2025

Ironworks Hotel Indy
Sheraton Indianapolis Hotel at Keystone Crossing

Sheraton Indianapolis Hotel at Keystone Crossing

4 out of 5
8787 Keystone Crossing, Indianapolis, IN
The price is ₹8,457 per night from 28 Jul to 29 Jul
₹8,457
₹9,895 total
28 Jul - 29 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Indianapolis. Enjoy breakfast (surcharge), room service and a fitness centre. Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,275 reviews)
"Property was in great condition very nice but freezing in the hallway too cold other than that it was wonderful big soft, comfortable clean."

Reviewed on 21 Jul 2025

Sheraton Indianapolis Hotel at Keystone Crossing
Courtyard by Marriott Indianapolis Downtown

Courtyard by Marriott Indianapolis Downtown

3 out of 5
601 West Washington Street, Indianapolis, IN
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is ₹10,930 per night from 12 Aug to 13 Aug
₹10,930
₹12,788 total
12 Aug - 13 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Indianapolis. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a 24-hour fitness centre. Our guests praise the helpful ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,017 reviews)
"Stayed overnight after attending concert at Everwise across the street. Perfect stay and location."

Reviewed on 21 Jul 2025

Courtyard by Marriott Indianapolis Downtown
Sheraton Indianapolis City Centre Hotel

Sheraton Indianapolis City Centre Hotel

4 out of 5
31 W Ohio St, Indianapolis, IN
The price is ₹10,796 per night from 3 Aug to 4 Aug
₹10,796
₹12,631 total
3 Aug - 4 Aug
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 ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,006 reviews)
"The Sheraton is having some repair or renovation work done so there were large metal pipes that make tge libby area very dark and it feels cramped our bedroom was grat. Thw beds comfortable. There was some noise at night from revving cars. Overall the room was comfortable"

Reviewed on 20 Jul 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 ₹14,429 per night from 10 Aug to 11 Aug
₹14,429
₹16,882 total
10 Aug - 11 Aug
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 ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (530 reviews)
"There are some renovation going on, but the room was very spacious."

Reviewed on 20 Jul 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 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
Fort Harrison State Park which includes autumn colours, forests and landscape views

Lawrence

You'll enjoy the restaurants and shopping in Lawrence. You might want to make time for a stop at Fort Harrison State Park or Post Road Recreation Center.

Lawrence
Eagle Creek Park featuring road cycling and autumn colours as well as an individual male

Pike

Pike is known for its ample dining options, and you can make a stop by Eagle Creek Park and SportZone while in the area.

Pike
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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

Carmel Arts and Design District Travel Guide