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 $254 per night from Jul 12 to Jul 13
CA $254
CA $297 total
Jul 12 - Jul 13
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! (2,002 reviews)
"My wife and I booked a stay for two nights and everything was excellent. Angela at the front desk offered a complimentary bottle of wine since it was my birthday. We're not drinkers, so we declined and accepted the delicious complimentary chocolates she offered next. Our room was spotless and well ..."

Reviewed on Jul 9, 2026

Ironworks Hotel Indy
The Fontana Hotel

The Fontana Hotel

2.5 out of 5
7304 E 21st St Indianapolis IN
The price is CA $135 per night from Aug 10 to Aug 11
CA $135
CA $158 total
Aug 10 - Aug 11
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 ...
8/10 Very good! (1,017 reviews)
"Room was clean and overall the whole hotel was clean. Just a very confusing layout is the only thing that I saw was a problem with that place."

Reviewed on Jul 9, 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 12 to Jul 13
CA $203
CA $240 total
Jul 12 - Jul 13
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! (1,112 reviews)
"There was no breakfast included. The room was very hot & they brought us a fan. The room was not ready & we had to put our luggage in a holding room. It was very nice to have the coffee & hairdryer & microwave & refrigerator in the room. However, no one replaced the coffee that we drank after the ..."

Reviewed on Jul 9, 2026

Omni Severin Hotel
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 $203 per night from Aug 9 to Aug 10
CA $203
CA $238 total
Aug 9 - Aug 10
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! (1,011 reviews)
"Everything was great. the only thing needing improvement was the yard and parking lot. There was a lot of trash on the yard around the building and the containers outside were running over. That was not just one day but the entire 5 days we were there. I suggest you to have someone check the exterior ..."

Reviewed on Jul 6, 2026

Embassy Suites by Hilton Indianapolis North
Courtyard by Marriott Indianapolis Downtown

Courtyard by Marriott Indianapolis Downtown

3 out of 5
601 West Washington Street Indianapolis IN
The price is CA $180 per night from Jul 13 to Jul 14
CA $180
CA $214 total
Jul 13 - Jul 14
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! (1,179 reviews)
"Nice clean and quiet room. Staff was very friendly and efficient."

Reviewed on Jul 7, 2026

Courtyard by Marriott Indianapolis Downtown
JW Marriott Indianapolis

JW Marriott Indianapolis

4 out of 5
10 S West Street Indianapolis IN
The price is CA $237 per night from Aug 2 to Aug 3
CA $237
CA $322 total
Aug 2 - Aug 3
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! (1,344 reviews)
"Service was great"

Reviewed on Jul 8, 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

Gainbridge Fieldhouse and Lucas Oil Stadium 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.

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.

Wholesale District

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

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.


Carmel Arts and Design District

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