26 Best & Fun Things to Do in Carmel (Indiana)

Carmel is a remarkable city located in the northern part of Indianapolis in Hamilton County, Indiana, United States.

Since the 1990s, Carmel has consistently grown and is estimated to have a population of one hundred thousand, seven hundred and seven.

The origin of this city began in the 1830s as a community known as Bethlehem. Today, it is considered a point of commerce, art, culture, and dining in Indiana.

Indeed, every art lover or emerging artist will appreciate the artistic nature of this city, being home to several indoor and public art galleries.

Carmel features several unique attractions such as the Center for the Performing Arts, Peace Water Winery, Carmel Old Town Antique Mall, Coxhall Gardens, Booth Tarkington Civic Theatre, Sol Hot Yoga Studio, Monon Trail, etc.

Are you planning an exploration of Carmel? Here are the top things to do in Carmel, Indiana.

Things to Do in Carmel, Indiana

1. Coxhall Gardens

If you’re looking for a place that draws you closer to nature, you just found it. To your itinerary of best things to do in Caramel, Indiana, add a visit to Coxhall Gardens.

The Coxhall Gardens is known as the nature-filled area of the city with lots of opportunities for both residents and visitors to explore.

This attraction is a botanical garden that spreads for 125 acres, featuring beautiful natural resources.

The Garden features a gorgeous centerpiece, 90-foot tall identical bell towers, and a stunning recreation lake. The attraction consists of a garden for children, including village stores, a sundial, echo walls, and peek-a-boo hills.

The Coxhall Gardens is a venue for numerous private parties and special occasions. It is open to the public from 6 am to 9 pm.

Address: 11677 Towne Rd, Carmel, IN 46032, United States

2. Monon Trail

The Monon Trail is a well-paved path that stretches across central Indiana before joining with the Cultural Trail of Indianapolis and the city’s downtown district.

This attraction is a rail to trails route nestled on Carmel’s 96th Street before extending for more than twenty miles along Westfield, Grand Park, Sheridan, and other areas.

You can take a walk through the Trail or come along with your bike.

The Monon Trail features a Zagster bile station where you can rent bikes if you do not have any or cannot conveniently bring yours.

Address: Indiana, United States

3. Cool Creek Park

For a memorable, fun day out with your family and friends, visiting Cool Creek Park is one of the best things to do in Carmel, Indiana.

Cool Creek Park is one of the most popular destinations in the city, offering a wide variety of activities for residents and visitors.

This 90 acres Park is a great place to spend quality time with the whole family.

The Park is open all year round to everyone featuring woodland trails of about four miles perfect for walking, running, and biking.

Cool Creek Park is an excellent spot for several activities such as hiking, jogging, birdwatching, rollerblading, and more.

The Park is open from 9 am-5:15 pm every week. So, make out time to stop by and have a fantastic time.

Address: 2000 E 151st St, Carmel, IN 46033, United States

4. Carmel Old Town Antique Mall

If you’re searching for a place that offers unique items, a visit to Carmel Old Town Antique Mall should be on your list of top things to do in Carmel, Indiana.

The Carmel Old Town Antique Mall is found in the historic downtown district of Carmel inside a historic building that once housed the first fire truck in the city.

The Mall initially kicked off in 2002 with only five merchants. Currently, the Mall houses over fifty merchants with special stalls offering different merchandise.

Be rest assured that you will be offered nothing but the best products, which you might not get anywhere, and for reasonable prices.

The Carmel Old Town Antique Mall offers extensive collections of antique items such as toys, furniture, books, jewelry, pottery, vintage linens, and more.

This Mall is open every week from 10 am to 6 pm although it might differ on special days or holidays.

Address:38 W Main St, Carmel, IN 46032, United States

5. Peace Water Winery

The Peace Water Winery is a favorite place in Indiana, known for offering authentic Indiana wines.

As the only locally owned and operated “California winery” in Indiana State, their wines are manufactured with Peace Water.

These wines are crafted by hand within the middle of California’s Napa Valley, which is tagged as one of the most outstanding wine cultivating areas in the world.

The Peace Water Winery features a tasting room where visitors can sample some of the wines made in Napa Valley.

The winery offers unique venues and private rooms, which are available for rentals for birthdays, club meetings, fundraising, and more.

Some of the wines offered include “21 Windows” Red Blend, “Bliss” Sauvignon Blanc, “Grateful Red” Red Blend, “Nirvana” Cabernet Sauvignon, “OK Fine” Late Harvest Moscato, and more.

The Peace Water Winery tasting room is open to everyone without no reservation from Tuesdays to Thursdays from 2 pm-9 pm, Friday & Saturdays from 2 pm-10 pm, and Sundays from 2 pm-6 pm.

Address: 37 W Main St, Carmel, IN 46032, United States

6. Booth Tarkington Civic Theatre

The Booth Tarkington Civic Theatre, known as the biggest theatre in Carmel, is a historic theatre founded in 1915.

The Booth Tarkington Civic Theatre is home to a diverse collection of professionals such as musicians, artists, and directors.

They combine to produce several kinds of standard theatre performances through their experiences and mastery.

The Booth Tarkington Civic Theatre offers a wide variety of educational and innovative programs created to develop the communities in Indiana.

This theatre has continuously played a significant role in promoting the community’s cultural heritage through local talents. The Theater is open all year round.

Address: 3 Center Green, Carmel, IN 46032, United States

7. River Road Park

The River Road Park is a sixty-three-acre Park in Carmel located along the banks of the beautiful white River.

The Park features enormous green spaces where you can play around or relax as you enjoy a lovely picnic with loved ones.

You will find wetlands, prairies, and paved trails, all available for the public to explore, both young and old.

The River Road Park is a sports center with soccer and baseball fields for those who want to test their skills or engage in friendly competition.

Some other highlights of this Park are the sandbox, the archeological playground, and the interpretive structure built to enlighten the public about the lifestyle of the Native Americans in the town several decades ago.

 Address: 12575 River Rd, Carmel, IN 46033, United States

8. The Center for the Performing Arts

Are you in for amazing entertainment? Add a visit to the Center for the Performing Arts to your list of fun things to do in Caramel, Indiana.

The Center for the Performing Arts is managed and operated by a non-profit organization as a performing arts campus.

Several art-related programs are offered to its immediate community and surrounding areas. The Center comprises a premium Studio Theater with a 200-person seating capacity.

There is also the Palladium, known as the Center for the Performing Arts state-of-the-art event hall, which can accommodate 1,600 persons, and Tarkington theatre with a 500 seating space.

The Center for the Performing Arts is home to countless cultural events and shows all year round, including performances of the great American Songbook, International music, jazz, rock, dance, country, and more.

Address: 1 Center Green, Carmel, IN 46032, United States

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9. Sol Hot Yoga Studio

Are you ready to take your mind off work and family to relax and rejuvenate? Visit Sol Hot Yoga Studio in Carmel, Indiana.

As a family-owned and operated studio, the Sol Hot Yoga Studio offers several kinds of outstanding yoga lessons.

These yoga lessons are done through an organized therapeutic arrangement to aid visitors in locking their minds out and arouse their bodies while also changing from easy postures to difficult ones.

The Sol Hot Yoga Studio’s primary goal is to use accurate temperature, lighting, and sound to offer them a great experience.

The Studio offers classes at different times of the day, from Sunday to Saturday. You can visit alongside your family members.

 Address: 7245 East 146th St, Carmel, IN 46033, United States

10. Art on Main Gallery & Gifts

The Art on Main Gallery & Gifts is a paradise for art lovers in Carmel, located in the Center of the Arts and Design District.

They offer visitors various gifts and artworks, including traditional, contemporary, and abstract items.

These arts and gifts items come in three or three-dimensional media as well as digital photography. You will find something unique.

The Art on Main Gallery & Gifts offers a wide array of authentic artworks, prints, and gifts for an affordable cost.

The store is usually open on Wednesday & Thursday from 11 am-6 pm, Fridays & Saturday from 11 am-8:30 pm, and Sunday from 12 pm-5 pm.

Address: 111 W Main St, Carmel, IN 46032, United States

11. Great American Songbook Foundation Exhibit

Great American Songbook Foundation Exhibit is a non-profit organization located at the Center for the Performing Arts Campus.

The organization is solely concerned with preserving and promoting the Great American Songbook’s music.

The gallery offers visitors an educational and exciting exploration of the Songbook through the displayed rotating exhibits.

Great American Songbook is an enormous compilation of some of the most outstanding and famous American songs from the 20th century.

The foundation also offers visitors insights into the Songbook’s music, culture, and history, categorizing them according to prominent events and cultural changes.

The music by Meredith Willson & Andrew sisters and George & Ira Gershwin was formerly showcased. However, the exhibits are changed regularly, so prepare for a more exciting display.

Address: 1 Center Green, Carmel, IN 46032, United States

12. Bazbeaux Pizza (Carmel)

Have you been craving a delicious pack of pizza? If yes, crave no more as you visit Bazbeaux Pizza in Carmel, Indiana.

Bazbeaux Pizza was founded in May 1986 and has grown into one of the most popular restaurants in the region, with about three branches spread throughout the state.

They are dedicated to offering the best pizza made with the highest quality, locally sourced ingredients.

The pizzeria offers over fifty different kinds of toppings for visitors to pick from, depending on their preferences.

Bazbeaux Pizza also offers vegetarian options on their collection of toppings, including meats, cheeses, and veggies.

They offer pizza like Garden Pizza, Colossus Pizza, Buffalo Chicken Pizza, Cheese Pizza, Bazbeaux Special Pepperoni, Cheese and Tomato Pizza, Bayou Chicken Pizza, Spring Pizza, and many more.

Address: 111 W Main St, Carmel, IN 46032, United States

13. Carmel Arts & Design District

Carmel Arts & Design District is a fast-growing district that has become an upscale art and design location in the Midwest.

This District features dozens of homewares, art galleries, antique stores, fashion centers, restaurants, gift stores, and studios.

This District is a fantastic neighborhood to explore, featuring street signs and some entertainment centers.

Carmel Arts & Design District is home to life-sized sculptures of the American Norman Rockwell created by J. Seward Johnson.

The District is also a venue for events such as Second Saturday Gallery Walks, Art of Wine, the Carmel International Arts Festival, etc.

Address: Carmel, IN 46032, United States

14. Carmel Farmers’ Markets

Are you planning to go shopping for some food items? Carmel Farmers’ Markets is one of the best places to visit in Carmel, Indiana.

Carmel Farmers’ Markets is a general market open from May to September on Saturdays. The Market features over sixty vendors offering several locally sourced farm produce.

The Market relocates to the Wire Factory in October, a structure known as one of the long-surviving buildings in Carmel.

You can shop for the freshest vegetables, herbs, baked goods, eggs, jellies, meat, sauces, poultry, jams, and more.

Carmel Farmers’ Markets offers various dining options such as egg rolls, ribs, smoothies, breakfast burritos, and more.

The Market was established to create a productive, organized, and well-managed spot for patrons and people from other areas to buy and sell.

Address: 2 Carter Green, Carmel, IN 46032, United States

15. Bub’s Burgers & Ice Cream

Rachel and Matt Frey established Bub’s Burgers & Ice Cream in 2003 to serve people mouthwatering dishes.

They are constantly trying to offer the most impressive food menu, featuring a variety of dishes with unique twists.

Their signature Bub’s burgers are prepared daily by hand using freshly grounded beef and bread made onsite.

Aside from burgers, they also offer other meals such as grilled Mahi Mahi, chicken sandwiches, Sweet Potato Waffle Fries, Sweet Potato Fries with Mallow, Corn Dog, and more.

They also offer a wide variety of ice cream flavored with unique themes and toppings, such as Cookies and Cream Ice Cream and Crunchy Caramel Pretzel Ice Cream; you should try them out.

The Bub’s Burgers & Ice Cream don’t just offer delicious meals, but they also provide fantastic customer service.

Address: 210 W Main St, Carmel, IN 46032, United States

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16. Divvy

Divvy is a beautiful restaurant founded by Kevin and Richelle Rider, focused on offering both young and old patrons an unforgettable dining experience.

This family-owned and operated restaurant offers visitors shared plates, introducing them to delicious new meals they can share with their loved ones.

They offer visitors an opportunity to create new and exciting memories when they dine with their family and friends.

Divvy offers a menu featuring modern American dishes served on a shared plate with the primary purpose of being shared.

They also offer tasting tours of wines and beers, including Vegetarian Platter, Seafood Bisque with Crispy Capers Soup, Brisket Tacos, Crème Brûlée, Hot Fried Duck Baos, Spanish Burger Slider, Creme Brulee, Blistered Brussels Sprouts, and more.

Address: 71 City Center Drive, Carmel, IN 46032, United States

17. The Monon Community Center

On a hot summer day, when you’re looking for a place to cool off, add a visit to the Monon Community Center to your list of fun things to do in Carmel, Indiana.

The Monon Community Center was founded in 2007 as a standard recreational facility consisting of a fully equipped fitness center.

One of the significant features of this Park is the large outdoor waterpark consisting of water equipment that keeps kids on their toes.

There is a KidZone, especially for childcare, an indoor pool, and a lazy river where visitors can cool off in the waters.

The Monon Community Center features adventure slides and a Flow Rider. They also offer a wide range of recreation programs and fitness lessons.

Cabanas within the Park are available for rentals and can accommodate up to eight persons at once.

Address: 1195 Central Park Drive West Carmel, IN 46032, United States

18. Sugar Creek Winery

After a long and hectic day, you need a place to loosen up and relax, one of the best places to visit in Carmel, Indiana, is Sugar Creek Winery.

Sugar Creek Winery began sowing grapes in 2012 but didn’t cultivate them until 2015. They now offer different varieties of handcrafted wines produced using their grapes.

They provide a comfortable and relaxed ambiance to encourage the public to visit and have a fantastic time.

The winery also manufactures its wines from grapes from other places, including New York, South America, California, and Oregon.

Sugar Creek Winery ensures something for everyone starting with Sugar Creek Yellowstone Wine, 2017 Sugar Creek Silver Grotto Riesling, Bright Angle Wine, Sugar Creek Cabernet Sauvignon, the Chambourcin grapes, and many more.

Address: 1111 W Main St, Carmel, IN 46032, United States

19. Midtown Plaza

Are you wondering what to do in Carmel, Indiana, then stroll through the Midtown Plaza, a vibrant and energetic area.

Midtown Plaza is known as a perfect place to spend the day and evenings featuring lovely green spaces, public tables, and benches.

Several restaurants and bars are scattered within the region, with many outdoor entertainment centers open during the summer season for sports shows, musicals, and movies.

You will also spot an interactive playground featuring a spray park for children, including cornhole boards, bocce courts, ping pong tables, and more.

Midtown Plaza features numerous businesses such as Sun King Taproom & Distillery, MJ Insurance, the Carmel Redevelopment Commission, Barrett & Stokely, J.C. Hart, and more.

Address: 365 Monon Trail, Carmel, IN 46032, United States

20. Carmel City Center

Located near the Carmel Farmers and the Center for the Performing Arts, Carmel City Center is located along the Monon Trail.

Carmel City Center is a must-visit for anyone who wants to go on a shopping or dining spree due to the apparent domination of shopping and dining firms in the area.

There is also a collection of boutiques, privately owned restaurants, fitness centers, and breweries, including yoga studios.

You can purchase gift items, clothes, jewelry, and more, from the boutiques and gift stores. Stop by eateries for pastries, cakes, American dishes, and more.

Address: Veterans Way, Carmel, IN 46032, United States

21. Flowing Well Park

Flowing Well Park is operated by the Carmel Clay Parks & Recreation Department and is located on Cool Creek’s banks.

The Park was uncovered due to an accident when drillers were rummaging for natural gas in 1904. The land was later donated to the city by its owner.

The Park was officially opened in 1994 as the first public Park in Carmel.

The Artesian Wells are examined severally in a year to check for any form of bacteria, so you have no reason to be afraid.

Flowing Well Park features trails leading you to the woodland area, where you will find benches along the creek, to sit and enjoy the natural environment.

You’re also encouraged to bring your jugs and bottles to fill them with water from the well. However, you can also boil the water before making use of it.

The Park is an excellent place to go for a scenic spring wildflower stroll during April and May when you find gorgeous yellow trout lily, Virginia bluebells, and more.

 Address: 37 E. Main St. Carmel, IN 46032, United States

22. Indiana Design Center

Right in the middle of the Arts & Design District is the Indiana Design Center, which offers limitless interior designs and resources.

Indiana Design Center practically brings to life the imagination of the public and professionals featuring forty-five kitchen displays and fifteen showrooms.

The Center offers an assortment of commodities, including building products, furnishings, and home decor. You can shop from any showrooms on the first floor for products like electronics, curtains, biophilic design, and hearths.

Indiana Design Center allows visitors to come with their professional interior designers or choose any of the designers on their website.

Address: 200 S Rangeline Rd, Carmel, IN 46032, United States

23. Central Park

If you’re looking for what to do in Carmel, Indiana, then visit the fascinating Carmel Central Park. This large Park features the city’s popular Waterpark and the Monon Community Center.

The famous Monon Trail passes the Center of Central Park with trails of six miles which lead you to the woodlands, wetlands, and native prairie.

The Park is home to Westermeier Commons, found on its western portion with a magnificent playground featuring a play area of 25,000 square feet.

Central Park has a fantastic splash area composed of many water equipment and other fun amenities.

There is a broad walk and a skate park for those who want to do something more exhilarating.

For families and friends, there are picnic shelters where you sit and enjoy lunch together and a dog park for your dog.

Address: Central Park Dr. W, Carmel, IN, United States

24. Laser Flash

Laser Flash is a popular attraction in Carmel, Indiana, offering a variety of fun things to do that will make an excellent family fun trip.

This attraction is the most extensive and outstanding multiple-level laser arena in Indiana. It has more than 12,000 square feet of leisure and entertainment. 

Its 7,800-square-foot laser tag arena can house over 40 players in one go. There are more than 40 arcade games in this place and a broad range of authentic prizes.

Laser Flash is a perfect place to host corporate and team-building events, birthday parties, group parties, and other special events. You can grab a delicious pizza on-site at the Noble Roman. Wine and beer are also available.

Address: 617 3rd Ave SW, Carmel, IN 46032, United States

25. Museum of Miniature Houses and Other Collections

If you are an art enthusiast, an ideal place to check out around Carmel, Indiana, is The Museum of Miniature Houses and Collections.

Museum of Miniature Houses and Other Collections is one of the artistic outlets in the Carmel Arts & Design District. It is devoted to fine art in miniature on a scale of 1:12.

The museum houses numerous miniatures, including room boxes, objects, and complete mini homes. Other things in the museum include stools, magnifying glasses for checking out the high items, and chairs.

Seven rooms make up this museum, and its exhibits are regularly updated. Visitors can browse the museum via a guided, self-guided, or audio tour.

Address: 111 E Main Street, Carmel, IN 46032, United States

26. The Art Lab

The Art Lab is a place to visit if you look forward to getting creative and increasing your knowledge about a particular art area.

This place is locally owned and operated, offering people of all ages all the art resources and opportunities to improve themselves and their community.

The Art Lab is the abode for art educators who use a gallery, working, and teaching space. These artists have unique skill sets and points of interest and are readily open to sharing their ideas with you.

They provide group classes for children and adults with a class size of 12 or less. The Art Lab provides all of the materials needed for learning.

Address: 1030 S Rangeline Rd Suite 270, Carmel, IN 46032, United States

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Plan Your Trip to Carmel

Carmel is a city full of energy and life. There is no dull moment here as there are numerous things to do in Carmel, Indiana, not to mention places to go.

The colorful and beautiful culture of the community plus their love for art is some of the reasons why the city is different from others.

You will be stunned by the artistic skills and creations you see in the public art district and art galleries. Start planning your trip to Carmel, Indiana.