//
City in Indiana, United States
Photo: Hamilton County Convention and Visitors Bureau, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Carmel is a city of just over 100,000 people (2021) in the Nine-County Region of Indiana north of Indianapolis.
From the travel guide. Select a place for details, a map and what is nearby.
This is a rare find, a museum that caters specifically to miniature homes, room boxes and vignettes. They also have a gift shop and a children's play area.
The World's Smallest Children's Art Gallery, according to the Guinness Book of World Records, showcases children's art from different schools from September–May. Special showcases in June.
It is closed during the building of a new history museum, which is set to open in late 2024. Monon Depot will be attached.
July. Browse at the shops in the Arts & Design District, gaze at local art, and enjoy wine tastings from about 10 Indiana wineries during this annual summer event.
Early September. The Carmel Arts & Design District promises to stimulate your senses by celebrating the art and design of the automobile. Unlike any other event, the Carmel Artomobilia marries the beauty of classic, vintage, exotic and rare car collections with artists inspired by automotive design. From historic Ford Model As to late model Lamborghinis, Artomobilia guests will celebrate decades of engineering and craftsmanship
Late September Features juried artists (numbering close to 150 each year) that appeal to informal collectors as well as art enthusiasts. Dancers, local musicians perform and a children’s activity tent includes arts and craft projects geared for smaller children. Admission is free but food vendors charge.
Held every 4th of July features performances by the Carmel Symphony Orchestra in addition to annual firework display, a community parade, food, games and other family-friendly entertainment.
2nd Saturday of each month Come to the Arts District for an evening of culture, art and fun! See local and visiting artists. Enjoy unique refreshments and a raffle for one of our local restaurants in the galleries.
June. Rock the District is a free, community-wide music festival and shopping extravaganza taking place in the heart of the Arts & Design District in downtown Carmel, Indiana.
5 acres with an arboretum, half-size basketball court, community organic garden, trail, playground and softball diamond.
The 161-acre park is free but some activities are an additional cost. The park includes a wetlands area, garden, park areas and 4 miles of trails connecting to the Monon Trail, which will take you all the way south to Indianapolis and northwest to Westfield, Indiana. A skate park welcomes skateboarders. Fees apply at The Monon Center and Aqua Park, which includes an outdoor pool, water slide and lazy river. An indoor pool and fitness center, with gymnasiums and studio classes also are available. Daily passes and value passes for 10 visits are available for visitors, although prices are higher for non-Carmel residents.
Three to four miles of wooded trails, playground, softball and soccer fields and basketball court are all available here. Also home to the Cool Creek Nature Center which hosts the annual Cool Creek Concert series.
125 acres of park and gardens include a children’s garden, conservatory, reflecting pools and two belltowers.
18 acres featuring an artesian well where you can fill up your own jug and containers with naturally clean flowing water. A few small trails and fishing too.
44 acres featuring fishing and a canoe launch into the White River.
Playgrounds with tree houses and a small water park are the big features here. Nature trail and shelters too.
17 acres with a pond and dock and fishing. Trail and basketball court too.
This beautiful prairie landscaped park houses a 1/4-mile recreation trail.
40-acre part features an adaptive playground for those with special needs. The park also has two sand volleyball courts, an amphitheater and picnic areas.
120 acres featuring trails, wide green space, big playground, trails and small water park. In the winter, the north face of the park’s hill turns into a sledding hill.
15-acre pocket park next to the White River. Undeveloped except for 2.5 miles of asphalt trails.
Enjoy a rental bicycle ride throughout the heart of Carmel all the way to Broad Ripple. Pedal the paved Monon Greenway on a comfort bicycle or tandem. Free locks, helmets, trail maps.
Formed as a community orchestra in 1976, the Orchestra now plays at various venues through the Carmel area, but now calls the Palladium home. Enjoy intimate performances of great works and masterpieces with guest performers or take in the Fourth of July concert at Carmel Civic Square. Tickets are affordable and discounts are given for students and seniors.
The facility includes four state-of-the-art performing arts venues: a 1,600-seat concert hall, a 500-seat proscenium theater, a 200-seat studio theater and an outdoor amphitheater. It also serves as an education center and museum for the Michael Feinstein Foundation, housing the rare memorabilia and manuscripts of the Great American Songbook Collection.
18-hole public course designed by Carmel resident William Diddel.
Another course designed by Pete Dye in Hamilton County, Plum Creek has hosted the 2004 IWGA Mid-Amateur. Semi-private club offers led by PGA Pros. Area hotels offer a “Stay and Play” package for Plum Creek.
Located on 206 acres, this Robert Trent Jones Jr. golf course is a daily fee facility. Area hotels offer a “Stay and Play” package for Prairie View.
Indiana's largest laser tag complex. Make a team with friends or strangers and sneak around shooting each other with harmless lasers and with music blaring and lighting effects. Lasers emit from state of the art Lasertron equipment. It's quite spooky seeing lasers bouncing off the walls through the dark room. They also have a huge arcade and a Noble Roman's pizza restaurant on site.
Features a fitness center, dance studio, group fitness studios, indoor track, gymnasium, indoor aquatics center, party rooms, concessions, locker rooms, skate park, a 10-acre outdoor aqua park, a cafe, banquet rooms, childcare, art studio, computer lab, classrooms and a conference center.
Bub's burgers are made from fresh, hand-pattied ground beef. The buns are custom made to fit their burgers and baked fresh at a local bakery. If you're up for a challenge, try Bub's Big Ugly Burger and get your picture on the wall.
S sharing plates restaurant & bar from the owners of Woodys Library Restaurant. Divvy’s menu features contemporary American small plates focusing on a dining experience to be shared. The concept allows patrons to experience and share a variety of items by ordering multiple plates. The menu has items in the range of $5-14 and accommodates a variety of dietary needs including vegan, gluten-free and lactose-free as well as traditional entrees. Co-owner and Chef Richelle Rider has degrees in nutrition and dietetics and has been named one of “Indy’s Top 10 Chefs.”
Dooley O'Toole's is an Irish-themed pub. Locally owned and operated, it is committed to buying from local suppliers.
American cuisine. Try Kona's signature Macadamia Nut Chicken, Sweet-Chili Glazed Salmon, Kona's Big Island Meatload or the sushi, hand-crafted by talented chefs at the elegant sushi bar.
Waiting in line is a cultural experience. Pick up your tray and pick up your choice of eats. Great fried chicken, salads, mashed potatoes and classics like liver and onions (oh yeah!) Don't forget the huge variety of homemade pies and cakes. Great friendly service too.
Immersive experience of color, art, music and light, providing a delicious escape from the mundane. Great pizzas, calzones, salad and pretzels.
Woody's Library Restaurant was established in a renovated Carnegie Library that was built in 1913. The upstairs seats approximately 60 guests & resembles the original library design with vaulted ceilings and tables creatively situated amongst shelves stocked with donated books. The downstairs is a neighborhood pub setting with approximately 50 seats complete with a pool table, video games, TVs & bar stools.
A fresh grill and wine bar with a seasonally-inspired menu and international wine list in a casually-sophisticated ambiance.
Made fresh every day on the premises. They use products, equipment, methods and recipes exclusive only to Handel's.
Vine & Table gourmet market has the largest selection of unique and fine wines in the state, including every day wines and collector wines. Vine & Table also has scotch, liqueurs, fine spirits and domestic and international beers.
75 suites. This hotel is next to Cool Creek Park and Village Park Shops and offers indoor pool/whirlpool, exercise room, whirlpool suites and free continental breakfast. Copier and fax on site. Meeting space accommodates up to 30 people. Free parking. Hot breakfast items.
110 guestrooms including two whirlpool suites. All guestrooms (standard and suites) come with the following amenities: Refrigerator, Microwave, Coffeemaker, Hair Dryer, Iron, Ironing Board, High Speed Internet, Electronic Door Locks, Two dual-line speakerphones with data ports, Large Work Desk w/Convenient Desk-Level Outlets, and Ergonomic Chairs, Free USA Today, and AM/FM Alarm Clock Radio. Meeting space is approximately 1300 square feet.
120 suites (studios and 1 and 2 bedrooms available). An indoor pool, sport court, exercise room, whirlpool, fully equipped kitchens, complimentary grocery shopping, HBO/cable and on-site guest laundry are included at this hotel. A complimentary Manager's Reception is Monday through Wednesday. Special rates for extended stay are available. Meeting space accommodates up to 40 people. Free parking.
126 studio suites. This hotel includes an indoor pool, whirlpool, exercise room and business center. Hot suite season's breakfast buffet included each day. Each studio suite has separate living and sleeping areas, sofa bed, mini-fridge, microwave, coffee pot and hair dryer. Free high speed internet access. Designed for the traveler needing more space than a traditional hotel room, this all-suite hotel will accommodate the business traveler or a family vacation. Meeting space accommodates 15-20 people. Free parking.
119 all-suite hotel with three room types: studio, one-bedroom suite, 2-bedroom/2-bath suite. Amenities include indoor pool, complimentary breakfast, whirlpool, on-site laundry and business center.
Opened in 2008, this is the first Renaissance hotel in Indiana. Marriott hotel service with a more artsy design. Grille 39 offers a fun twist; roll the dice to inspire the cocktail of the day.
The first outdoor lifestyle center in Indiana. Over 70 retailers line the center's broad sidewalks, rising up Clay Terrace Boulevard from U.S. 31. Vintage storefronts and antique lighting blend seamlessly with modern amenities and convenience. Home to everything from locally owned boutiques to nationally known shops.
formerly Kahn's Fine Wines
One of Central Indiana’s best liquor stores. Featuring countless wines, beers, and liquor from all over the world. Also has amazing deli with gourmet fine eats.
Downtown Carmel’s arts district features interior designers, art galleries, furnishings showrooms, home décor, specialty shops, and restaurants. See their website for a full up to date directory. Stately brick buildings, with open-air dining, line the streets, which close to host several festivals each year. District is accessible and connected via the Monon Trail, a linear greenway park that extends south all the way to downtown Indianapolis.
The corner of Range Line Rd. and 1st Street in Carmel’s Arts & Design District, which hosts showrooms, design professionals, and artists. The public is welcome to shop in all first floor retail showrooms. Open Monday-Friday 8AM–6PM and Saturday 8AM–3PM
A historic building that once housed the first fire truck in Carmel is now home to over 70 dealers. Booths feature antique furniture, toys, dolls, pottery, books, jewelry, coin-operated machines, vintage linens and quilts and more.
Antique collection.
Custom jewelry designs made by Mark Grosser. Diamonds, gold and natural gemstones.
General speed is between on interstates and highways, and generally on other roads unless otherwise posted.
Read in the guideChoose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Indianapolis · International · IND
Loading places around the airport…
Articles and travel topics about Carmel (Indiana) and United States.
Travel tipsFind the cheapest countries to fly to from the US and UK in 2026. Compare realistic round-trip flight deals, budget airlines, and prime booking windows.
8 min read
Travel tipsFind the best time to visit Hawaii in 2026. Compare whale seasons, big-wave surf, dry shoulder months, hotel rates, and island microclimates.
8 min read
InspirationDiscover the best places to visit in April. Compare Dutch tulip fields, Thailand's Songkran water festival, Roman spring gardens, and cherry blossoms.
6 min read
Travel tipsA practical guide to travelling with medication and refrigerated drugs like insulin and GLP-1s. Learn airline rules, customs papers, and cooling tips.
7 min read
Every section of the guide. Open one to read it in full.