The city of Carmel, Indiana is recognized as a national leader in quality of life, and for good reason.

Carmel is home to sports, arts and culture, shopping and family fun.

 

For example, Carmel is home to Crooked Stick Golf Club, site of the 1991 PGA Championship and

the 2009 US Senior Open (up next for the course is the 2012 BMW Championship.) Carmel also is

home to Pete and Alice Dye, the architect and designers of the Crooked Stick course as well as Brickyard

Crossing and other championship courses.

 

Simon Property, one of the largest shopping corporations in the world, also calls Carmel home.

You won't have to travel out of the city to experience one of Simon's signature outdoor malls,

Clay Terrace. With a David & Mary Spa, boutique shopping unique to central Indiana, and upscale

 restaurants, Clay Terrace offers a great shopping and dining experience.

 

If you prefer art galleries, Carmel's Arts & Design District is your destination. You can find everything

from jewelry, painting, sculpture, glass, textiles - even hand-cut meats at Joe's Butcher Shop. Located

on Main Street and  Rangeline Road, the District also is home to the new Indiana Design Center, as well

as many special events, including the International Art Festival in the late summer. This year's festival

takes place on September 24.

 

Carmel's newest attraction is also one of the most harmonic. The Center for the Performing Arts

offers classical, jazz, pop and country music as well as dance, theatre and special performances

in three venues; The Palladium, The Studio and the newest venue, the Tarkington, opening August 6.

Coming up later this year: Lyle Lovett, Tony Bennett, Martin Short, Wynonna, and the Chinese Acrobats,

 just to name a few.

 

There are plenty of opportunities for outdoor concerts at Cool Creek Park as well. Speaking of

the outdoors, you can bike or walk throughout the city on the Monon Trail. You can even rent a

bike from Carmel Cyclery! Head south on the trail from the Arts & Design District until you reach the

Monon Community Center for even more recreation. The outdoor pool features a lazy river, splash pad

and water slides, while the indoor pool is surrounded by basketball courts and an indoor jogging track.

Carmel continues to add attractions and amenities. Next up is the Grand Opening of City Center,

scheduled for later this year. Anchored by the Center for the Performing Arts, City Center will be a one

million square foot, multi-use project, combining luxury residences, retail and dining, a cultural village

and public art.

 

With all this to offer, is it any wonder Carmel won the Number 14 spot on Money Magazine's "Best Places to

Live" list in 2010?  

 

For more information on Carmel or any other of Hamilton County's 8 Great Towns, visit www.8GreatTowns.com.