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

Wyndham Indianapolis Airport
Wyndham Indianapolis Airport
3.5 out of 5
2544 Executive Dr, Indianapolis, IN
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is AU$195 per night from 13 July to 14 July
AU$195
13 July - 14 July
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3.5-star business-friendly hotel in Indianapolis. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and an outdoor pool. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
7.8/10 Good! (1,230 reviews)
"Super friendly. Checked in late. Loved the restaurant and the little market that sold Starbucks. Room was super clean and had everything I needed."

Reviewed on 30 Jun. 2025

Wyndham Indianapolis Airport
Sheraton Indianapolis City Centre Hotel
Sheraton Indianapolis City Centre Hotel
4 out of 5
31 W Ohio St, Indianapolis, IN
The price is AU$198 per night from 20 July to 21 July
AU$198
20 July - 21 July
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Indianapolis. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the helpful ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,000 reviews)
"The rooftop pool was great, my 6 year old son had a blast. Our suite was clean and spacious. The only downside was the parking garage being closed, however that is temporary."

Reviewed on 2 Jul. 2025

Sheraton Indianapolis City Centre Hotel
Embassy Suites by Hilton Indianapolis Downtown
Embassy Suites by Hilton Indianapolis Downtown
3.5 out of 5
110 West Washington Street, Indianapolis, IN
The price is AU$282 per night from 9 July to 10 July
AU$282
9 July - 10 July
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3.5-star business-friendly hotel in Indianapolis. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the breakfast ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,010 reviews)
"Very clean and friendly staff."

Reviewed on 30 Jun. 2025

Embassy Suites by Hilton Indianapolis Downtown
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$195 per night from 6 July to 7 July
AU$195
6 July - 7 July
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 ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,254 reviews)
"Great place to stay! Very accommodating to meet the needs we had. Easy access to travel ways."

Reviewed on 2 Jul. 2025

Sheraton Indianapolis Hotel at Keystone Crossing
Hampton Inn Indianapolis Downtown IUPUI
Hampton Inn Indianapolis Downtown IUPUI
2.5 out of 5
414 West Vermont Street, Indianapolis, IN
The price is AU$210 per night from 10 July to 11 July
AU$210
10 July - 11 July
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Indianapolis. Enjoy free breakfast, a 24-hour fitness center, and valet parking (surcharge). Our guests praise ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (610 reviews)
"Very clean, quiet very good staff"

Reviewed on 29 Jun. 2025

Hampton Inn Indianapolis Downtown IUPUI
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$213 per night from 20 July to 21 July
AU$213
20 July - 21 July
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! (1,004 reviews)
"Fun weekend great people other then the vacuumed that didn’t seem to understand it was three and people are checking in so why are you vacciuuming the lobby and elevator now"

Reviewed on 30 Jun. 2025

Crowne Plaza Indianapolis-Dwtn-Union Stn 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

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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

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