Located in the heart of downtown Tempe, Tempe Town Lake is a great place to get out and enjoy the beautiful Arizona weather, take a stroll by a body of water or spend the day paddle boating. With plenty of open space and close proximity to food and entertainment, the area has a little bit of something for everyone.Parking and public transportation at Tempe Town LakeFree parking is available on site at Tempe Town Lake. The Valley Metro light rail makes a few stops right next to Tempe Beach Park and a number of bus routes also go to and from the area.Best and worst time to go to Tempe Town LakeVisiting Tempe Town Lake is most enjoyable between October and April. During this time of year the weather is beautiful, and school is still in session. Various festivals, concerts and events are held at Tempe Town Lake throughout the year, so regardless of when you visit there's always something going on.Admission to Tempe Town LakeAdmission to Tempe Town Lake is free to the public. The park can be spotted from the highway and is easy to access from anywhere in Tempe.Must see/do at Tempe Town LakeArizona isn't exactly known for its beach front property, but at Tempe Town Lake visitors can get a taste of life near the water. Rent a paddle boat or canoe for a few hours and experience the lake. Take a walk or bike around the miles of paved pathways. For philosophers, there are plenty of benches all over the park great for thinking on.Other places to visit near Tempe Town LakeDowntown Tempe and the Mill Avenue District are a few blocks away. The area is packed with nightlife venues, restaurants and an open air shopping mall. Sun Devil Stadium and Arizona State University's main campus are within a few miles of Tempe Town Lake too, as are Gammage Auditorium and the Marquee Theater.Insider tip for visitors to Tempe Town LakeVisiting Arizona during the holiday season? Make sure to catch the annual Fantasy of Lights Boat Parade.Author's bio: Chad Birt has lived in Phoenix for 9 years. He's a bike rider, bookworm and freelance writer.