I’ve been living in the city of Detroit for over 30 years now. It’s the place I feel most free to be me. And it’s got lots of great things to do and see.

While I had been living and working in the greater downtown for several years, my partner, who ironically was the force behind moving here, wanted to to stick to main thoroughfares when getting around. So I hadn’t done a ton of exploring, except when I was on my own. But it was now time for me to see and understand it all.

I met someone who had grown up in Detroit and was a tour guide. I knew there were others like me—people who had roots in the city but grew up elsewhere and wanted to get reacquainted with the offerings. So we teamed up to start Inside Detroit, a nonprofit tour company that promoted many aspects of the city. That was back in late 2005 before the SuperBowl came to town.

Since then, I’ve spent countless hours exploring, researching and getting reacquainted with what I knew before I was moved away and discovering the plethora of new things created since the 1970s.

I can still go to hear an excellent symphony in the most acoustically perfect venue for around $20. I can discover my deep roots in a fantastically grand library. I can see world class art just across the street. I can ride my bike for 5 miles along our international riverfront. I can return home through city parks nestled amongst the massive skyscrapers exhibiting the best of architectural design from the late 19th century to the current day.

Read on for why I’m a Segway tour guide and more stunning facts about Detroit, Michigan.