Best things to do in Carmel

Located in the heart of Old Town Carmel, Indiana, the Arts & Design District is the Midwest’s premier arts and design destination. It is home to interior designers, art galleries, showrooms, restaurants, antique stores and a variety of specialty retail shops.

Coxhall Gardens is a unique and fascinating park, waiting to be discovered. This modern, 125-acre park includes the elegant Centerpiece, twin 90-feet bell towers, a recreation lake, and Children’s Garden, which features “village stores,” echo walls, peek-a-boo hills, sun dial, and Tiki huts. Campbell Crossing, which is connected to the Centerpiece and surrounded by water on two sides, serves as a serene location for relaxing and enjoying the outdoors. The land for this stunning park was graciously donated by Jesse and Beulah Cox in 1999 and is enjoyed by visitors of all ages. As the park continues to grow it will eventually include a conservatory, museum, reflecting pool and numerous specialty gardens.

For those wanting to enjoy the beauty of Coxhall Gardens in a more active way, the park also offers programs and events, including Family Frog Night, Autism Walk, and Concerts in the Centerpiece. Visit our Programs page and our Events page to find out more.

The dramatic Centerpiece, which features a statue of Jesse and Beulah Cox, gazebo, fountains, and tiered lawn seating, is now available for rental. In 2005, the facility served as the location of the Opening and Closing Ceremonies of the Solheim Cup, and is the ideal setting for weddings, reunions and other special gatherings. Visit our Facilities for Rent page for additional information on this beautiful facility and how you can make reservations for your next occasion.

Affiliated with the Smithsonian Institution, Conner Prairie offers the chance to immerse yourself in America's era of westward expansion and development. Visit the park, home to a house itself listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and delve deep into the 19th century, when this rural area began to grow as the nation's heartland. Wander the street of the town, recreated to resemble its appearance in 1836, and explore the array of replica businesses, sights, and reenactors dressed in period clothing. Afterward, make your way to the Civil War experience, which documents the defense of the area from a daring Confederate raid in 1863. You can also wander the park's network of nature trails to enjoy the nearby forest and even see some local animal residents.

Museum of Miniature Houses and Other Collections has hosted more than 106,000 visitors since opening in 1993. It is one of only a few in the country devoted to the art of fine scale miniature. Visitors often include multi-generational groups, as there is an appeal to all age groups. Visitor amenities include chairs for resting, stools for seeing high-placed items, magnifying glasses for a closer look, free audio tour for more information, three levels of scavenger hunts for children, a fairy door for making wishes, and a dollhouse on the floor for playtime. Guided tours are available upon request and in advance. ATTENTION VISITORS: hours displayed on this page were taken from the museum's Google page. They may be inaccurate or outdated. Contact the museum directly or check official site for correct and up to date details.

With impressive canyons, gorges, and ravines, Turkey Run State Park offers an abundance of natural beauty. Explore the park on foot or on horseback on one of many designated trails. You can also survey the park by canoe, kayak, or even in an inner tube floating down Sugar Creek. Right in the center of the park, the river is a great spot for fishing. Watch carefully for signs of wildlife, such as beaver-chewed trees and deer tracks--if you're lucky, you might spot some of the animals. Visit the nature center to learn about the park's flora, fauna, and geology.

Local antique mall that features dealers with a lot of great and fascinating antiques!

Also be sure to check out the Carmel Arts and Design District website for more information on the area!

http://www.carmelartsanddesign.com/

Clay Terrace is Carmel, Indianas premier open air shopping destination. The town center is home to more than 80 national and local retail, dining, specialty grocery, and entertainment options, as well as numerous events and activities throughout the year. A dynamic offering of things to do along with things to buy keeps guests engaged and returning often. Clay Terrace is open seven days a week; Monday to Saturday 10 a.m. 9 p.m. and Sunday noon 6 p.m. For more information, please call (317) 818-0725 or visit clayterrace.com. Like us on Facebook facebook.com/ClayTerrace and follow us on Twitter @ClayTerraceMall and Instagram @ClayTerraceMall.

Purdue University is a public land-grant research university in West Lafayette, Indiana, and the flagship campus of the Purdue University system. The university was founded in 1869 after Lafayette businessman John Purdue donated land and money to establish a college of science, technology, and agriculture in his name. The first classes were held on September 16, 1874, with six instructors and 39 students. It has been ranked as among the best public universities in the United States by major institutional rankings, and is renowned for its engineering program.
The main campus in West Lafayette offers more than 200 majors for undergraduates, over 70 masters and doctoral programs, and professional degrees in pharmacy, veterinary medicine, and doctor of nursing practice. In addition, Purdue has 18 intercollegiate sports teams and more than 900 student organizations. Purdue is the founding member of the Big Ten Conference and enrolls the largest student body of any individual university campus in Indiana, as well as the ninth-largest foreign student population of any university in the United States.
Purdue University is a member of the Association of American Universities and is classified among "R1: Doctoral Universities – Very high research activity". Purdue faculty, students, alumni and other affiliates have reached many notable and influential positions in business, media, politics, and science. Purdue has been affiliated with 13 Nobel laureates, 1 Turing Award laureate, 2 World Food Prize laureates, 3 Pulitzer Prize winners, 18 Olympic medalists, 3 National Medal of Technology and Innovation recipients, 2 National Medal of Science recipients, 3 Presidential Medal of Freedom recipients, 7 members of Congress, 3 U.S. governors, and 2 heads of state. Purdue has over 400,000 living alumni. Its alumni have included 26 astronauts, 6 current Fortune 500 CEOs, 2 Rhodes Scholars, 4 Truman Scholars and 3 Gates Scholars.