A personal injury attorney is supposed to see a city as a map of intersections. I see Allentown as the anchor of the whole Lehigh Valley — Pennsylvania’s third-largest city, with a reborn downtown, a deep Latino community, and far more to do than people expect.

When a neighbor is hurt in a crash on MacArthur Road or injured at a Valley warehouse, they’re not a file number to me. So before the legal part, here’s the Allentown I actually love.

01Getting Around

The streets that carry the city

Hamilton Street is downtown’s main thoroughfare and the spine of the revitalized arena district. MacArthur Road (Route 145) is the big retail corridor to the north, Tilghman and Lehigh Streets move the neighborhoods, and the Route 22 / I-78 belt rings the city.

That highway belt is where my work concentrates. The Lehigh Valley has become one of the busiest logistics hubs on the East Coast, which means Route 22 and the surrounding corridors carry constant heavy-truck traffic — and the serious crashes that come with it. That’s a major part of what my firm handles. More below.

02Where I Eat

The Allentown table

Downtown’s comeback shows up on the plate. Near the arena and ArtsWalk you’ll find polished spots like The Shelby and Pennsylvania Rye, the longtime institution Youell’s Oyster House, and house-brewed beer at Fegley’s Brew Works on Hamilton.

The flavors of the city — Allentown’s streets are dotted with Mexican cantinas, Dominican kitchens, and Mediterranean diners — spots like La Cocina del Abuelo and the eclectic stands inside the Allentown Farmers Market are some of my favorite finds.

03What I Do

Arena nights, museums, and a rose garden

The PPL Center brought hockey, concerts, and big events back downtown, and within a few blocks you’ve got the Allentown Art Museum, Miller Symphony Hall, and the Da Vinci Science Center. For green space, I’ll admit I’m partial — the Malcolm W. Gross Memorial Rose Garden at Cedar Creek Park is a gorgeous spot, and with a name like mine I can’t not love it. Dorney Park handles the thrill-ride side of family weekends.

04Where Our Kids Grow Up

The Allentown schools

So much of what makes a place home comes down to its schools. The Allentown School District is one of the largest and most diverse in the state, anchored by William Allen High School and Louis E. Dieruff High School. As a parent and a neighbor, I care a lot about the crosswalks and school zones along these busy roads staying safe for our kids.