Carmel, Indiana, is a city located in the Indianapolis metropolitan area, in Hamilton County. With a population of 99,757, the city extends 49 square miles (130 km) across Clay Township and is bounded by the White River to the east; the Hamilton-Boone County line to the west; 96th Street to the south and 146th Street to the north. It has become renowned around the world as the “Capital of roundabouts”, with more than 125 roundabouts since the late 1990s. Carmel is a great place to live, work and raise a family.
Money magazine and other surveys, such as Wallet Hub, Niche and SafeWise, cite it as one of the best places to live in the United States. It has also been honored to be one of the safest cities in the US and the best place to start a career and start a family. The city offers plenty of activities for fashion lovers, cultural experts and families alike. Fashionistas can shop at exclusive Clay Terrace Lifestyle Mall and trendy Carmel Arts & Design District.
Carmel-by-the-Sea, a sought after Central California coast vacation destination, is a place to relax and unwind. With its quaint Victorian buildings, tree-shaded streets and enchanting village vibe, this idyllic town is perfect for budding romance or shopping trips with friends.
The one square mile downtown boasts independent boutique shops, upscale wine tasting rooms and charming eateries. Whether you want to shop for unique gifts, peruse vintage-style bath products or sample locally crafted olive oils and balsamic vinegars, there’s something for everyone!
1. Art
Carmel is home to a plethora of art galleries, each offering unique works from some of the most talented artists in the area. Whether you’re looking to find a gift for yourself or someone else, there is sure to be something here for everyone!
The local artist community is alive and well, thriving in the historic downtown district. A walk through this lively neighborhood is the perfect way to discover some of Carmel’s finest galleries.
Local sculptors like Idu create sculptures from natural rock that have an earthy feel to complement outdoor landscapes. Another artist, Benhura, specializes in springstone, a type of serpentine that is found throughout Africa. He is also known for using flip-flops collected from beaches around the world to create colorful tapestries.
2. Wine
Whether you’re a wine newbie or a seasoned wino, there are plenty of Carmel wineries to satisfy your craving. Some of these are small lot wineries whose wines showcase the unique characteristics of the grapes they use.
Bernardus Vineyards and Winery focuses on creating wines that stimulate the palate as well as the imagination. They’re a favorite with wine lovers of all kinds and offer both casual dining and wine tasting at their Carmel winery.
They’ve been crafting their wines using natural winemaking techniques since 1999 and produce a selection of wines that reflect the variety of grapes they grow in the Santa Lucia Highlands. They also have a tasting room in Carmel Valley Village that offers a sophisticated and elegant atmosphere for visitors.
3. Dining
The dining scene in Carmel Indiana is a mix of both traditional and international styles. There are plenty of high-end restaurants, but also some surprisingly affordable places that offer delicious food.
When it comes to a restaurant, the menu is one of the biggest factors in deciding which one is right for you. If you’re looking for a place that has a wide variety of dishes to choose from, then you should definitely consider going to City Center.
In addition to having great food, City Center also has a lot of fun things to do. The area is known for its year-round festivals and events that bring people together, so it’s a great place to visit with the family.
4. Shopping
There's something for everyone on the shopping scene in Carmel Indiana. Shoppers can indulge in the sophisticated shopping centers of Clay Terrace and Hamilton Town Center or discover a world of unique stores and boutiques in the charming, curvilinear downtown area.
There are also great options for year-round festivals and family fun. Enjoy live music, delicious food and family-friendly activities in this one-of-a-kind small town environment that's only a few minutes north of Indianapolis.
For a special holiday shopping experience, join Shop Carmel on Small Business Saturday. During this event, patrons can sign up to win a gift basket that includes items from participating shops.
5. Nightlife
Nightfall in Carmel is a time of lively entertainment and fun for locals, as well as visitors. Whether it's live music in bars and restaurants, or a theater show at the outdoor Forest Theater or Sunset Center, there's something for everyone.
For a more formal setting, visit Feinstein's at Hotel Carmichael, modeled after the legendary 54 Below in New York City, with a spirit of the Great American Songbook. Just steps from the Palladium, this acclaimed live entertainment restaurant offers exquisite dining and performances by the world's greatest musicians.
Downtown Carmel is also home to Midtown Plaza, a public gathering space with swinging benches and ping pong tables. It's a great place to grab a bite or drink at Fork + Ale and Sun King Spirits.
Cultural experts can attend music, theater and dance shows at the Palladium, the Tarkington and the Studio Theater of the Center for the Performing Arts. Families can enjoy The Waterpark with lots of water slides and even a lazy river for kids to enjoy. Every September, Carmel International Art Festival presents a juried art exhibition of artists from around the world, concerts, dance shows and hands-on activities for children. Carmel also offers excellent educational options for children.
There are large public schools as well as private and parochial schools available. The city also hosts a winter market from November to March. The city center, also known as Old Town Carmel, is rich in shopping on Main Street, Rangeline Road, 3rd Avenue and 2nd Street. It is also home to many local vendors who share why they founded their business, what they love about their work and what led them to Carmel.
Every year, Carmel hosts Indiana's only Grand Fund cycling event which attracts both professional and recreational cyclists. Wendy and her husband have lived in Carmel for about 34 years and have raised four children here in the Indianapolis region. Speaking of having a beer, Carmel has a lot of lovely wineries and breweries in the area so there's always an opportunity to try a new local beer and support small businesses. Carmel is by no means a small town with its population of about 98,000 but it still has only one secondary school in Carmel.
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