Why Carmel, Indiana Is the Coolest Suburb in America for Bikers

Carmel was chosen as one of Apartment Therapy’s Coolest Suburbs in America 2019. We showcased the burbs nationwide that offer the most when it comes to cultural activities, a sense of community, and simply a good quality of life. For more on how we define “cool” and what exactly counts as a suburb, check out our methodology here. To view Apartment Therapy’s other Coolest Suburbs in America 2019, head here.

For the majority of my life, I’ve called the charming and almost accidentally trendy city of Carmel, Indiana, home. The past 20 years have transformed this once looked-over suburb into a Midwestern mecca that’s home to hip hangouts, an arts and design district, and a Main Street picturesque enough to entice me into leaving the city behind for suburban life.

If there’s one thing that Carmel does well, it’s merging trendy with traditional. Millennials and families alike have plenty of reasons to want to call Carmel home, including a Christmas market worthy of a Hallmark movie, bike trails, a summer farmers market, breweries, and wineries.

It’s not just the employment and educational opportunities, a thriving economy, and lush outdoor spaces that earned Carmel the top spot on CNN Money’s list of the the best small cities to live in. It’s also the community that calls Carmel home. You’ll never walk down Main Street without receiving a wave and smile from a stranger, or pick up a latte at Indie Coffee Roasters without being asked how your day is going. One thing’s for certain, Carmel is Midwestern hospitality at its finest.

In addition to being a top suburb generally, Apartment Therapy named Carmel the burb that’s “Best for Bikers” in our Class of 2019 Suburb Superlatives. Carmel earned that designation because it has excellent bike paths, according to the biking foundation People For Bikes, as well as safe and well-connected biking infrastructure. Carmel has worked hard to make its streets and parks bike-friendly and new trails pop up regularly. As Jay Hardcastle, a Central Indiana Bicycling Association board member, told Apartment Therapy in an email, Carmel deserves the top spot for biking because, “Out of all the Indy suburbs, Carmel offers the most miles in trails (over 100), and the greatest variety of connected neighborhoods and facilities.”

Nestled between downtown Indianapolis and rolling cornfields and farmland, Carmel is simply a great place to live.

The average rent for an apartment is $1,750, according to Zillow.

$351,400, according to Zillow.

$137 in Carmel vs. $104 in Indianapolis, according to Zillow.

16, according to Walk Score. Trust me, you’re going to want a car.

$109,201, according to Census data.

79,191, according to Census data.

Roundabouts. As of November 2018, Carmel was up to 122 roundabouts, and counting. That number secures Carmel’s place as Roundabout City, USA, and last year, the suburb even hosted a party for National Roundabout Week. I bet you didn’t know that was a thing, did you?   

If you’re interested in biking, look no further than Carmel. In 2018, Carmel was just named one of America’s Best Places for Bikes by People for Bikes. Local favorites include the Monon Trail and the Carmel Access Bikeways, which connect Carmel to neighboring cities via easily accessible trails and loops. The Monon Trail is the heart and soul of Carmel biking, and local riders like Jay Hardcastle say Carmel’s connectedness enhances the experience even more.

If you ride along the Monon Trail in downtown Carmel, you’ll pass restaurants, the farmers market, and the Carmel City Center. With a new northern expansion of the trail, riders of all levels can easily access the neighboring suburb of Westfield, and the country roads beyond. With biking clubs, bike-friendly businesses, and pathways for riders of all skill levels, Carmel’s bike scene is hard to beat.

You’ll find the world’s best donuts at Donut Refinery. It’s a boutique bakery offering up made-to-order donuts and the type of do-it-yourself toppings—like Fruity Pebbles, rainbow sprinkles, bacon, and graham cracker crumbles—that you dreamed about as a kid.

The Carmel City Center. From the Carmel Christkindlmarkt, to the summer farmers market, to shows at the Center for the Performing Arts, there’s always something happening in Carmel.

If the weather is nice, head out for a family bike ride on the Monon Greenway, or hit up the Monon Community Center waterpark for summertime fun.

Get to know the locals and sample Indiana-made beer at Sun King Brewery. The brewery is home to a maze of food stands, has a killer lineup of card games on offer, and boasts a rooftop that’s second to none during the spring and summer.

Flix Brewhouse.

If the weather is nice, take a stroll to Carmel’s arts and design district and pop into a few local stores before dinner. For cocktails and small bites, the newly opened 3UP is a great rooftop bar. Then head down the street to SubZero Nitrogen Ice Cream for an experience you and your date won’t soon forget.

According to Trulia, 98 percent of Carmel residents commute by car. Public transportation in the suburb isn’t great, and if you’re commuting into Indianapolis, the drive can take anywhere from 20 to 45 minutes, depending on traffic.

Indie Coffee Roasters, the bright, airy, coffee shop on Main Street that’s filled with plants, is a must-visit. Try the vanilla latte if you stop in!

3UP rooftop bar has a trendy and upscale atmosphere complete with rooftop views of downtown Carmel, incredible craft cocktails, and shareable plates.

West Park, on Carmel’s west side, has wooded and water-lined trails that are perfect for solo exploring.

Carmel’s Chriskindlmarkt is free and open to the public from November through January. It’s beautiful, unique to Carmel, and the perfect way to get into the Christmas spirit. There are also a slew of art galleries on Main Street that are worth visiting.

If you’re looking for a Carmel staple, Café Patachou is a must. Cheekily branded as a “student union for adults,” Café Patachou has light, healthy fare, and delicious coffee and drinks.

Silver in the City is a cute, quirky gift shop for everyone on your list.

Main Street or the Carmel City Center.

The City Center, Main Street, and West Clay are all perfect locations to grab a photo for the ‘gram. You can also head to Carmel’s arts and design district to snap a photo with Carmel’s lifelike statues!

Café Patachou or Caffé Buondi.

Market District. From a delicious fresh sushi bar to a candy store and a meat selection that’s even been known to serve snake, Market District is the grocery store at the top of everyone’s list in Carmel, Indiana. If you stop in, make sure to check out their selection of fresh juices and their pre-made meals too!

New to the city, Solidcore on Clay Terrace Boulevard, is a great place to stop in for a tough core workout. Fair warning, it will leave you sweaty and shaking! A run on the 5.2-mile Monon Greenway trail is also a great option if you want to get outdoors.

Stop by Bub’s Burgers & Ice Cream to try the one-pound Big Ugly Burger, and earn your spot on the restaurant’s photo wall.

The worst place to park is downtown on Main Street, but even at the busiest times, you can almost always find a space.

Carmelfest, the suburb’s Fourth of July parade and celebration, is a highlight of the summer. People pack chairs and food and sit on the sidewalk hours before the parade starts to get a good view!

The biggest drawback to suburban life is the lack of walkability and public transportation. That said, open space and easy parking make up for it.  

Traffic, trash, and noise were the three things I was happiest to give up when we left Washington, D.C., for Carmel.

My family’s store, Kittle’s Furniture, has been a local favorite since it first opened its doors in 1932!

West Clay is home to beautiful houses, nearly every direction you look. If you’re lucky enough to stumble upon a yard or garage sale in this neighborhood, stop by. You’re bound to find a few gems!

Coxhall Gardens and West Park’s trails through wooded areas, ponds, and music pavilions are beautiful in the spring, summer, and fall.