Carmel Arts and Design District Travel Guide

Indianapolis

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


Top hotels in Carmel Arts and Design District

Ironworks Hotel Indy

Ironworks Hotel Indy

4 out of 5
2721 E 86th Street Indianapolis IN
The price is ₹16,277 per night from 22 Mar to 23 Mar
₹16,277
₹19,045 total
22 Mar - 23 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 ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (1,808 reviews)
Great room and great staff

Reviewed on 22 Feb 2026

Ironworks Hotel Indy
Bottleworks Hotel

Bottleworks Hotel

4.5 out of 5
850 Massachusetts Avenue Indianapolis IN
The price is ₹17,095 per night from 1 Mar to 2 Mar
₹17,095
₹20,122 total
1 Mar - 2 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! (1,847 reviews)
The hotel itself is beautiful. The room felt intentional and thoughtfully designed. Everything was extremely clean (which matters to me). The steam shower had fantastic water pressure, and the robe was a thoughtful touch. The walkable location to dinner, spa, and activities made the weekend completely ...

Reviewed on 20 Feb 2026

Bottleworks Hotel
Omni Severin Hotel

Omni Severin Hotel

4 out of 5
40 West Jackson Place Indianapolis IN
The price is ₹15,196 per night from 1 Mar to 2 Mar
₹15,196
₹18,002 total
1 Mar - 2 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 ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (845 reviews)
Room was AMAZING and the staff were wonderful. Stay here every year and always the same great experience.

Reviewed on 23 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
The price is ₹13,055 per night from 22 Mar to 23 Mar
₹13,055
₹15,495 total
22 Mar - 23 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 ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,057 reviews)
Yes

Reviewed on 18 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 ₹9,633 per night from 1 Mar to 2 Mar
₹9,633
₹11,078 total
1 Mar - 2 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! (1,632 reviews)
Room was clean. The front desk was very helpful. Great stay!

Reviewed on 23 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 ₹10,088 per night from 22 Mar to 23 Mar
₹10,088
₹11,803 total
22 Mar - 23 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! (1,012 reviews)
The room was great, the employees were very nice and the food for breakfast was also great

Reviewed on 23 Feb 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.

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
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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
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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