Hidden Gems of North-Central Connecticut

UNION, CT — This week's edition of Hidden Gems takes us to a unique place near the Massachusetts state line which is actually easy to spot, but somewhat difficult to find: the Traveler Restaurant on Buckley Highway in Union, the least populous town in Connecticut with just over 850 residents.

Owned and operated since 1993 by Art and Karen Murdock, the Traveler is more than just another place to eat. Each diner may take home up to three free books; the Murdocks estimate they average about 2,000 used books per week. Literary titles dominate the menu, with food selections including "The Great Gatsby," "The Raven" and "David Copperfield."

The downstairs section of the building contains a huge selection of all types of books for sale, all reasonably priced. Hence, the huge sign outside the restaurant reads "Traveler Food and Books."

Thousands of people pass by the Traveler every day on Interstate 84, but getting there is a bit tricky for those unfamiliar with the area. From I-84 westbound, take exit 74, go left at the stop sign, then turn left, go over the highway, and take another left. From the eastbound side of the highway, take exit 74, go right then immediately left. The facility is on the right.

NBC's Today Show did a feature story about the Traveler last May, as seen below:

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The Hidden Gems series features out-of-the-way mom and pop restaurants, small specialty stores you may have never heard of, little-known historical markers or beautiful nature spots that may be a bit off the beaten path. Do you have a favorite "hidden gem" in the area that you wish to see featured in this column? Email your ideas to tim.jensen@patch.com.

Other columns in this series:

• First Decorated Christmas Tree
• The Stanley-Whitman House
• Vernon's Santa House
• Vintage Radio and Communications Museum of Connecticut
• Old Country Banquet Hall
• Brazilian Gula Grill
• Thomas' Smokey Pit Stop
• Congregational Church of Burlington labyrinth
• Noah Webster House
• The Bushnell's Green Room Wall
• Belding Wildlife Management Area
• The Aborn Castle
• Heublein Tower
• Birthplace of Jonathan Edwards
• Grave of Revolutionary War Soldier Heman Baker
• Jessica's Garden, Lobster and Ice Cream Shack
• Shade Swamp Sanctuary
• Ken's Corner Breakfast & Lunch
• Tolland Red and White
• The Packing House
• Cold Harbor Seafood
• Nye Holman State Forest/Heron Cove Park
• Hosmer Mountain Soda Shack
• Connecticut Trolley Museum
• Matterhorn Mini Golf
• Wood Memorial Library & Museum
• Hastings Farm
• Liquid Nirvana
• Iwo Jima Survivors Memorial Park
• Academy Hall
• Southington Drive-In
• Little Theatre of Manchester at Cheney Hall
• Somersvillage Gifts & Gourmet Baskets
• New England Civil War Museum
• The Pinchot Sycamore
• Stafford Palace Theater
• Mansfield Hollow State Park
• Old Tolland County Jail and Museum
• Hill-Stead Museum
• Mark's Restaurant