9 Great Date Night Ideas for the Carmel Area
WHETHER YOU’RE LOOKING FOR SOMETHING ARTSY OR JUST WANT A LITTLE MORE ROMANCE, THESE DATE NIGHT IDEAS AROUND CARMEL ARE ALL ABOUT HAVING A GOOD TIME.
CARMEL ARTS DISTRICT DATE NIGHTS
Turn off the television and enjoy the live entertainment around Carmel. You’ll be able to find a fantastic arts and culture experience in the downtown area any time of the year.
1. THE CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS
Living in Carmel means world-class, live performances can be as close as a stone’s throw away. The Center for the Performing Arts hosts theater, dance, and musical events year-round. Check their program calendar for upcoming show times and ticket information. If you like what you see, consider enrolling for season tickets.
2. SECOND SATURDAY GALLERY WALKS
The Carmel Arts & Design District is home to over 200 businesses, including art galleries, boutique shops, and antique dealers. Take a stroll around the venues during the next Gallery Walk. The latest exhibits are always great conversation starters, and you’ll be able to work up an appetite before going to your dinner reservation.
DELICIOUS CARMEL RESTAURANTS & BARS
Skip the cooking tonight and let one of the local restaurants treat you right! Carmel is chock-full of award-winning eateries. We won’t blame you if you become a regular at any of these spots.
3. PEACE WATER WINERY
An instant local favorite when it opened, Peace Water Winery pairs Carmel love with California wine-making. Visit their storefront for a $20 date night tasting—you’ll each get to try 5 different wines while enjoying their fun ambiance. And for every bottle you purchase, you can make a donation to an organization on their “Give Wall.”
4. THE PINT ROOM
If the two of you are more interested in beer, check out The Pint Room. You can keep things casual with craft burgers and brews, plus tasty appetizers. Stick with your favorite local beer, or go with a flight to sample how different breweries do things. With 124 drafts on rotation, there’s always something new to try.
5. DIVVY
Enjoy an intimate setting with your date at divvy, a special 21 & over restaurant venue. Small plates are made for sharing at this popular Carmel venue. Their dishes offer a playful take on “American tapas” that you won’t find anywhere else. An extensive menu of over 100 features (including lots of limited dietary options) let you create a truly unique dinner.
6. REVIEW THE ENTIRE CARMEL MENU!
Already indulged at the locations listed above? Check out the entire Carmel bar and restaurant list from Visit Hamilton County. Make your own Top 10 list of restaurants to try and space them out over the year. Put your favorites on the calendar so you’ll always be able to look forward to the next date night. (And don’t forget dessert!)
Other Date Ideas Near Downtown Carmel
It’s always nice when you can walk to your date night location, but if you’re up for a quick drive, these locations are always great for couples.
7. COXHALL GARDENS
You can get back to nature just a few minutes away from the downtown Carmel area at Coxhall Gardens. Spread out over 125 acres, the modern park features twin 90-feet-tall bell towers, a lake, and mini hills. Take a stroll with your date right before sunset when the weather is nice, or head out a little earlier to enjoy your own outdoor picnic.
8. THE ESCAPE ROOM FISHERS
Up for a group-date option? Invite a few other couples to join you at The Escape Room Fishers for an unforgettable problem-solving experience. It’s part scavenger hunt, part team building game. Choose your theme for the evening, find the clues, and work together to find the right combination for “escaping” the room.
9. DATE NIGHT POP-UP CLASSES AT THE INDIANAPOLIS ART CENTER
After you’ve visited all the best galleries in Carmel, make plans to hit one of the adult pop-up art classes at the Indianapolis Art Center. It’s just a 20-minute drive away, and their 2-hour beginner classes are perfect for date night. You can try your hand at the potter’s wheel, painting, or even glassblowing.
Residents of Carmel, IN have easy access to some of the best dining and cultural experiences in the entire state. And year after year, Carmel is recognized for its innovation and spirit of being a “small town thinking big.” It’s easy to see why—there’s always something fun to do nearby!
