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


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 RM731 per night from 1 Nov to 2 Nov
RM731
RM855 total
1 Nov - 2 Nov
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 ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (2,141 reviews)
"Good atmosphere, great food in the hotel and lots of neighboring restaurants. Process was easy, price was very fair."

Reviewed on 20 Oct 2026

Ironworks Hotel Indy
The Fontana Hotel

The Fontana Hotel

2.5 out of 5
7304 E 21st St Indianapolis IN
The price is RM482 per night from 2 Nov to 3 Nov
RM482
RM564 total
2 Nov - 3 Nov
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Indianapolis. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a 24-hour fitness centre and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
The Fontana Hotel
Omni Severin Hotel

Omni Severin Hotel

4 out of 5
40 West Jackson Place Indianapolis IN
The price is RM656 per night from 15 Nov to 16 Nov
RM656
RM776 total
15 Nov - 16 Nov
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 ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (1,497 reviews)
"Wonderful stay. Staff is superb. Visit was for a birthday celebration with family travelling from various parts of the country. I normally would not have considered this hotel because I try to stay at hotels that offer breakfast. A relative booked this trip and chose the Omni because it was the closest ..."

Reviewed on 21 Oct 2026

Omni Severin Hotel
Bottleworks Hotel

Bottleworks Hotel

4.5 out of 5
850 Massachusetts Avenue Indianapolis IN
The price is RM768 per night from 25 Oct to 26 Oct
RM768
RM903 total
25 Oct - 26 Oct
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! (1,941 reviews)
"It was just beautiful and breathtaking. The location was amazing, the staff were very helpful and friendly. It will be the place I will always stay at when visiting Indianapolis. It was a great experience"

Reviewed on 19 Oct 2026

Bottleworks Hotel
Courtyard by Marriott Indianapolis Downtown

Courtyard by Marriott Indianapolis Downtown

3 out of 5
601 West Washington Street Indianapolis IN
The price is RM547 per night from 21 Nov to 22 Nov
RM547
RM649 total
21 Nov - 22 Nov
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 ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,328 reviews)
"The room was spacious and clean. Staff were helpful and friendly. Breakfast at the bistro was delicious."

Reviewed on 20 Oct 2026

Courtyard by Marriott Indianapolis Downtown
Drury Inn & Suites Indianapolis Northeast

Drury Inn & Suites Indianapolis Northeast

3 out of 5
8180 N Shadeland Ave Indianapolis IN
The price is RM408 per night from 25 Oct to 26 Oct
RM408
RM478 total
25 Oct - 26 Oct
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Indianapolis. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
Drury Inn & Suites Indianapolis Northeast
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 for the activities you enjoy most.

Downtown Indianapolis

Visitors to Downtown Indianapolis love its popular shops, and you can check out Gainbridge Fieldhouse and Lucas Oil Stadium. If you want to see more in the area, you can get around town on the metro at Methodist Station.

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.

Wholesale District

While visiting Wholesale District, you might make a stop by sights like Gainbridge Fieldhouse and Indiana Repertory Theatre.

Babe Denny

While Babe Denny may not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like Lucas Oil Stadium and Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

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.



Carmel Arts and Design District