Explore Nearby Attractions & Things to Do in Carmel and Indianapolis

The biggest children's museum in the world is 30 minutes away from the Carmichael Hotel in Downtown Indianapolis. Featuring five floors of indoor exhibits plus an outdoor sports experience, a planetarium, and a theater, the museum offers plenty of hands-on activities and events designed to educate, entertain, and inspire kids of all ages. Interact with more than 120,000 artifacts highlighting American and international cultures and the natural world.

Located across the monon trail from the Hotel Carmichael is Carmel's crown-jewel live music and entertainment center. Comprised of three venues, The Palladium, The Tarkington, and The Studio Theater, the Center for The Performing Arts is the place to catch from pop and concerts, comedy sets, plays, classical performances, children's entertainment, and more. Visitors can attend performing arts workshops and classes or tour the concert hall to learn about its architecture and special galleries, including the Great American Songbook Exhibit.

Visit this college athletics museum to learn about the history, achievements, and trivia of all 24 NCAA sports. Located in Downtown Indianapolis, the Hall of Champions features two floors of exhibits and displays, including interactive and hands-on activities, plus special events and showcases highlights culturally relevant happenings in NCAA sports history.

Head 30 minutes south of the hotel to experience The Racing Capital of the World. Home of the Indy 500 and Brickyard 400, the legendary track on the National Register of Historic Places is the place to catch motorsports and auto racing in Indiana. The speedway is also the site of the IMS Museum and Hall of Fame where visitors can tour the historic track, go behind the scenes of race day, and have a chance to kiss the bricks of the original speedway's start/finish line.

Visit this popular zoo and botanical garden located in Indianapolis' White River State Park. Encounter nearly 4,000 animals representing more than 320 species in an array of exhibits, attractions, and experiences such as giraffe feedings and in-water dolphin adventures. Stroll through the White River Gardens to see acres of tropical plants and flowers, butterflies, and learn about animal conservation efforts.

Just minutes outside our hotel's doors is the Midwest's premier arts district. Home to galleries, boutiques, restaurants,  studios, and public art installations, West Main Street is also a gathering place for communal events, concerts, classes, and festivals. Annual events and activities include outdoor movie nights, live music series, fun runs and races, ice skating, and holiday celebrations.

Explore this sprawling park, spanning 159 acres and located just ten minutes from the hotel. In addition to acres of greenery, playgrounds, picnic areas, and sports courts, Central Park is home to a fishing lagoon, a seasonal water park, skate park, dog park, and six miles of biking, hiking, and nature trails, including the Monon Greenway, along the famed Monon Trail that snakes North of Carmel to Sheridan through Downtown Indianapolis.

In Carmel City Center, residents and business professionals need only step out of their front door to access retail, restaurants and entertainment. Visitors enjoy a full day of fun with activities and venues all within walking distance. Carmel City Center is Carmel, Indiana's exciting new downtown and landmark destination on the Monon Greenway. It is the home of the Center for the Performing Arts, Carmel Farmers Market, Carmel Christkindlmarkt and Hotel Carmichael opening in the Summer. 

Indiana's first outdoor lifestyle center, Clay Terrace is home to more than 80 stores lining the broad boulevard sidewalks. Conveniently located off US-31 and 146th Street, it can be easily visited by Carmel residents, as well as surrounding areas of Fishers, Indianapolis, Noblesville and Westfield.

Catch the NFL action just 30 minutes from the hotel at the home of the Indianapolis Colts. Visit in the fall for football or in the offseason for a variety of events, expos, festivals, and concerts, including NCAA tournaments. The stadium also offers behind-the-scenes tours throughout the year, including stops at the locker room and press box.

Grand Park Sports Complex stands as one of the largest sports destinations in thh country. Their 400 acres include 31 multi-purpose fields, 26 diamonds, 370,000 sqft, Events Center and more! Grand Park hosts a wide range of athletic competitions, local, regional and national sports tournaments, and community sporting events. This thoughtfully-designed 400-acre sports campus features a full-range of championship-level outdoor facilities for baseball, softball and field sports including soccer, football, rugby, field hockey and lacrosse. 

This indoor arena and home of the NBA's Indiana Pacers and WNBA's Indiana Fever is the place to see the biggest names in basketball, music, and family entertainment. Located in Downtown Indianapolis, the arena hosts a diverse calendar of events, including pop and rock concerts, Disney on Ice and children's performances, rodeos, college basketball tournaments, and hockey games.

Experience classic dining at its best when you dine at Feinstein's at Hotel Carmichael in Carmel! With a creative and inspiring space, sophisticated ambiance and lively entertainment, our unique venue lets you enjoy an unforgettable meal while delighting in world class entertainment! Whether you are looking for an entertainment venue close to home or want to entertain clients in a classy space, Feinstein's Cabaret is the ideal place for you. Visit us and enjoy a memorable dining experience sure to impress.

Conner Prairie is one of the largest attractions in the region and one of the most visited outdoor museums in the country. They are Indiana's first Smithsonian affiliate. Visitors to Smithsonian affiliates throughout the country may view major works of art, historic objects of flight, wonders of nature, icons of American history and other artifacts, artworks and scientific specimens from the Smithsonian's national collections throughout the year. On their grounds, every guest has the opportunity to pursue knowledge in a way that is tailored to them.