While in Ottawa, visit Gloucester, a charming suburb with a rich history dating back to 1792. Leafy parks cover the terrain, while the Industrial Park district contains a range of shopping and cultural highlights. Get a feeling for suburban Ottawa as you travel around this hilly area.

The Industrial Park district is at the eastern end of Gloucester. On a rainy day, explore the shops and restaurants of the Place d'Orléans Shopping Centre. Admire its modern, elegant façade and look up at the glass dome covering part of its roof.

Stop to view the displays in the nearby Shenkman Arts Centre. Once the rain clears up, head farther east, perhaps where the terrain opens into a scenic set of leafy trails. Stroll past the Orleans Community Garden and sunbathe in Princess Louise Park or Fallingbrook Park. Join games of football and soccer in Cumberland Millennium Sports Park.

In Taylor Creek at the northern end of the parkland are the cascades of the Princess Louise Falls, with water dropping down several tiers and ridges. Sit on the dry patch of rock beside the falls and enjoy a picnic accompanied by the sound of rushing water.

At the western end of Gloucester, be sure to see the Canada Aviation and Space Museum. The site has more than 100 vintage aircraft and offers simulations and plane rides. Visit the family-fun venue of Cosmic Adventures, where the kids can clamber over indoor climbing frames.

Find Gloucester at the eastern end of Ottawa, along the Ontario side of the Ottawa River. From the city center, drive east for 6 miles (10 kilometers) to get here in about 15 minutes. Note that the area is named for Prince William Frederick, Duke of Gloucester and Edinburgh.

Explore the area for other landmarks such as Pine View Golf Course and the Green’s Creek Trail.