Carmel Arts and Design District

Indianapolis

A brick building with a fountain, a sign reading "Carmel Arts & Design District," and a street with cars and a truck.
A colorful building with a mural, a street lamp, and a car parked on the street.
A sign for Bub's Burgers & Ice Cream with a burger illustration.
A person reading a book on a bench in an urban setting.
A person painting a landscape with a bridge and trees.

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.


Stay near popular Carmel Arts and Design District attractions

Things to do


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 CA $242 per night from Jun 28 to Jun 29
CA $242
CA $283 total
Jun 28 - Jun 29
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Indianapolis. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 4 restaurants. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (1,985 reviews)
"Amazing hotel and excellent front desk staff! The only thing I didn’t like was the scent used to perfume the hotel as it was overpowering but that’s my personal preference. Would definitely recommend this hotel!"

Reviewed on Jun 26, 2026

Ironworks Hotel Indy
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 CA $187 per night from Jul 5 to Jul 6
CA $187
CA $219 total
Jul 5 - Jul 6
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Indianapolis. Enjoy free breakfast, free parking, and a free area shuttle. Our guests praise the breakfast and ...
8.2/10 Very good! (1,000 reviews)
"Property was very clean. Friendly staff. Close to good shopping."

Reviewed on Jun 25, 2026

Embassy Suites by Hilton Indianapolis North
The Fontana Hotel

The Fontana Hotel

2.5 out of 5
7304 E 21st St Indianapolis IN
The price is CA $131 per night from Jul 4 to Jul 5
CA $131
CA $153 total
Jul 4 - Jul 5
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Indianapolis. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
8.2/10 Very good! (1,003 reviews)
"The room was not clean. Entering the hotel, you could hardly get into the door because it was broken. What they sold online was not what I seen when I was going to check in. There was no staff at the check in counter and a few people were checking out because the rooms were so dirty. We decided not ..."

Reviewed on Jun 25, 2026

The Fontana Hotel
Omni Severin Hotel

Omni Severin Hotel

4 out of 5
40 West Jackson Place Indianapolis IN
The price is CA $203 per night from Jul 5 to Jul 6
CA $203
CA $241 total
Jul 5 - Jul 6
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this 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! (1,096 reviews)
"I can’t complain everything was A+"

Reviewed on Jun 25, 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 CA $169 per night from Jul 4 to Jul 5
CA $169
CA $201 total
Jul 4 - Jul 5
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 ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,166 reviews)
"Nice It was close to lots of things to walk to but it was very busy on the weekend being by the convention center."

Reviewed on Jun 24, 2026

Courtyard by Marriott Indianapolis Downtown
JW Marriott Indianapolis

JW Marriott Indianapolis

4 out of 5
10 S West Street Indianapolis IN
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is CA $237 per night from Jul 3 to Jul 4
CA $237
CA $322 total
Jul 3 - Jul 4
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Indianapolis. Enjoy breakfast (surcharge), a 24-hour fitness center, and valet parking (surcharge). Our guests ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (1,338 reviews)
"Great place to stay"

Reviewed on Jun 24, 2026

JW Marriott Indianapolis
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.

Where to stay in Carmel Arts and Design District

Find the best Carmel Arts and Design District areas and neighborhoods for the activities you enjoy most.

Downtown Indianapolis

Lucas Oil Stadium and Eiteljorg Museum are top sights in Downtown Indianapolis, and you should be sure to explore the popular shops. Hop aboard the metro at Canal Station or Indiana University-Riley Station to see more sights in the area.

Mile Square

The fascinating museums and prominent monuments are top of the list for many visitors to Mile Square. A stop by Gainbridge Fieldhouse or Monument Circle might round out your trip.

Speedway

You'll enjoy the museums and breweries in Speedway. You might want to make time for a stop at Indianapolis Motor Speedway or Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum.

Wholesale District

If you're spending some time in Wholesale District, Gainbridge Fieldhouse and Indiana Repertory Theatre are top sights worth seeing.

Castleton

Castleton is known for its abundant dining options, and you can plan a trip to Castleton Square and Dave & Buster's while you're in town.


Carmel Arts and Design District

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