Gloucester sits fifteen minutes east of downtown Ottawa by O-Train, anchored along the southern shore of the Ottawa River. Once an independent township, it is known for the vast wetlands of the Mer Bleue Bog and strip-mall dining corridors serving exceptional Lebanese and Vietnamese cooking. Gloucester is worth visiting if you want peaceful peatland trails and regional family-run counter diners without downtown hotel rates. Look elsewhere if you want historic pedestrian plazas or lively late-night entertainment.
Last updated 21 Oct 2026
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The Bed
Where to stay in Gloucester
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The Comparison
Gloucester, or somewhere near it
The places you are realistically choosing between, and the honest case for each.
The Local Record
Where to read more about Gloucester
The blogs, boards, guides and operators worth bookmarking.
What to do in Gloucester Ontario Canada
Gloucester is defined by green conservation wedges and practical suburban commerce. Days here revolve around morning trail outings in the National Capital Commission Greenbelt followed by no-frills meals at strip-mall independent kitchens along Ogilvie and Innes roads. It suits travellers who prefer quiet trailheads, unhurried driving, and direct access to authentic immigrant-run dining over urban hustle.
24 hours in Gloucester Ontario Canada
Start with a brisk morning loop along the Mer Bleue Bog boardwalk. Head to Ogilvie Road by midday for a plate of slow-roasted chicken shawarma with garlic sauce. Spend the afternoon cycling Green's Creek paths down to the Ottawa River before enjoying a relaxed Vietnamese pho dinner near Cyrville. Select 1 Day above to see it.
2 days in Gloucester Ontario Canada
Spend your second morning exploring the aircraft hangars at the Rockcliffe boundary. Break for lunch over warm za'atar manakish from an Innes Road bakery, then head out to the open farmlands and quiet rural roads around Carlsbad Springs for afternoon coffee and locally picked seasonal produce. Choose 2 Days to expand the plan.
3 days in Gloucester Ontario Canada
A third day allows an easy morning drive southeast to the Rideau River locks or the vintage standardbred tracks near Leitrim. Take the afternoon slowly with a long woodland walk in Pine Grove Forest, finishing with classic tavern fare and local Ontario beers away from city congestion.
Gloucester Ontario Canada itineraries by interest
Wetland Trails in Gloucester Ontario Canada
Walk the floating wooden boardwalk at Mer Bleue Bog, an ancient peatland filled with black spruce, tamarack, and northern pitcher plants.
Middle Eastern Dining in Gloucester Ontario Canada
Order spit-roasted chicken shawarma packed with garlic toum, pickled turnip, and fresh saj bread along the Ogilvie Road corridor.
Riverfront Walks in Gloucester Ontario Canada
Follow the paved Ottawa River Pathway through Green's Creek Conservation Area, where clay slopes overlook muddy shallows and heron roosts.
Vietnamese Soups in Gloucester Ontario Canada
Sip spiced star-anise beef broth ladled over fresh rice noodles and rare brisket at family noodle shops off Cyrville and St. Laurent.
Aviation History in Gloucester Ontario Canada
Inspect bush planes and Cold War jet fighters at the nearby Canada Aviation and Space Museum on the edge of the historic Rockcliffe airfield.
Winter Sports in Gloucester Ontario Canada
Ski groomed cross-country loops through Pine Grove forest or skate on neighbourhood community rinks maintained by local volunteers.
Suburban Bakeries in Gloucester Ontario Canada
Pick up freshly baked za'atar flatbreads, honey-drenched baklava, and meat pies at neighbourhood Lebanese bakeries on Innes Road.
Cycling in Gloucester Ontario Canada
Ride dedicated asphalt corridors connecting Blair Station to the NCC Greenbelt trail network and quiet rural routes near Carlsbad Springs.
Fresh Produce in Gloucester Ontario Canada
Stop by seasonal roadside farm stands along Innes Road for sweet corn, heritage pumpkins, and summer berries harvested in the Greenbelt.
Local Taverns in Gloucester Ontario Canada
Settle into unpretentious suburban taprooms serving local Ontario craft pale ales alongside classic crisp tavern-style chicken wings.
Harness Racing in Gloucester Ontario Canada
Watch standardbred harness races under evening floodlights at the Rideau Carleton track, active since 1962 in southern Gloucester.
Historic Landmarks in Gloucester Ontario Canada
See the preserved 1890s stone architecture at St. Mary the Virgin church and the early pioneer cemeteries tucked into Blackburn Hamlet.
Planning a visit to Gloucester
Is Gloucester a separate destination from Ottawa?
Treat Gloucester as part of Ottawa, not a separate city break. The former municipality joined Ottawa in 2001, and its name covers a broad area rather than one compact visitor centre. Pick a specific neighbourhood or destination and combine it with your wider Ottawa visit; an address matters more here than a generic Gloucester town-centre route.
City of OttawaCan you explore without a car?
Ottawa's buses and O-Train connect different parts of the city, but the right journey depends on the exact address. Check OC Transpo's current route information before choosing accommodation or setting out. Avoid assuming that two places labelled Gloucester are close together, or that a rail stop removes the need for a connecting bus.
Ottawa Tourism