Gobble with a purpose

Give thanks and get moving: 11 ways to connect and give back in Dallas-Fort Worth this November

Group of people in cool outdoor weather, fall attire

Do some good this Thanksgiving.

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From Turkey Trots and community walks to tree planting and outdoor yoga, November is all about moving with purpose.

November is the season of gratitude, and Dallas-Fort Worth offers plenty of ways to put it into action. Whether you're running for a cause, volunteering outdoors, or finding peace in nature, wellness goes beyond the gym.

This month's Fit in the City highlights 11 ways to stay active, connect with others, and give back.

Run, walk, and give back
Dallas Walk to End Alzheimer's — November 7 | Dallas
Gather at Klyde Warren Park for a meaningful community walk supporting Alzheimer's research, care, and awareness.

Fort Worth Marathon Festival — November 7-8 | Fort Worth
From first-time 5K participants to seasoned marathoners, this weekend festival celebrates fitness, determination, and community.

Pumpkin Spice Run — November 21 | Fort Worth
Embrace fall with a festive run at Panther Island Pavilion, featuring multiple distances and post-race celebrations.

Dallas YMCA Turkey Trot — November 26 | Dallas
A beloved Thanksgiving tradition featuring 5K and 8-mile routes through downtown. Bring friends, family, and your holiday spirit.

Fort Worth YMCA Turkey Trot — November 26 | Fort Worth
Start Thanksgiving with a 5K, 8K, or children's 1K while supporting YMCA scholarships for local families.

Move together, make connections
Walk the Hype — November 5 | Dallas
Turn your steps into a silent-disco walking party at Klyde Warren Park. It's fitness with a fun, social twist.

We Run Wednesdays — November 11 | Fort Worth
Join a free, welcoming group run or walk along the Trinity Trails. All paces are encouraged.

Give back to nature
Trinity Trails Tree Planting — November 6 | Fort Worth
Roll up your sleeves and help plant trees along Fort Worth's Trinity Trails, creating a greener outdoor space for everyone.

Slow down and recharge
Discover Forest Bathing — November 21 | Fort Worth
Slow down, engage your senses, and reconnect with nature during a guided mindfulness experience in the Botanic Garden's Japanese Garden.

Gentle Yoga at the Garden — Wednesdays, November 4-25 | Fort Worth
Stretch, unwind, and enjoy peaceful surroundings with gentle yoga sessions at the Fort Worth Botanic Garden.

Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center — November 7 and 12 | Cedar Hill
Reconnect with nature through guided bird walks, yoga, and group hikes at this scenic preserve. A refreshing way to get moving, meet others, and appreciate the outdoors.

This November, wellness isn't just about exercise. It's about showing up for your community, spending time together, and finding joy in movement. And that's something worth being thankful for.

turkey trot fun run giving thanksgiving holiday season 5k marathon promoted

Living Well

Plano rises through the ranks as 4th best U.S. city for veterans in 2026

Female U.S. soldier wearing 2023 OCP uniform saluting in front of american flag

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Plano is the 4th best city in America for veterans to call home.

Dallas neighbor Plano has soared into the top 10 best U.S. cities for veterans to live, a new WalletHub report says.

To assess the best and worst places for veterans to live, analysts compared the 100 largest U.S. cities across 19 relevant metrics, such as the share of military skill-related jobs, veteran income growth, the availability of VA health facilities, among others.

Plano ranked as the No. 4 best city for military retirees in the nation this year, taking a big leap from its former No. 11 rank in 2025.

Plano offers the 10th best quality of life for veterans out of all 100 cities in the report, and the city ranks 25th for its "health" rank — determined by the number of VA benefits administration and VA health facilities per veteran population and the quality of VA health facilities.

Plano's employment rank for veterans is the 28th best in the U.S., and the suburb boasts the 29th best economy for former service members based on WalletHub's analysis of veteran housing affordability, median income and income growth, educational opportunities, and the share of veterans living in poverty.

Local veterans are being honored with Veterans Day deals and discounts all across the city this; find the list here.

"When veterans return home from serving our nation, it’s important for them to live in a place that provides good education and employment opportunities, along with access to quality care for their physical and mental health," said WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo. "The best cities for veterans have all these characteristics, plus added bonuses like large veteran populations for community support, plus many restaurants and entertainment venues that offer veteran discounts."

Meanwhile, Dallas proper ranked as the No. 22 overall best U.S. city for veterans to live in 2026, moving up the list after ranking 25th for the last two years.

This is how Dallas stacked up across the study's four main categories:

No. 16 – Health
No. 32 – Economy
No. 36 – Quality of life
No. 66 – Employment

The Veterans Association reports nearly 17.2 million veterans live in the U.S., and many of them struggle in some way with transitioning from military to civilian life, including homelessness.

"While the government has pledged to support veterans with health care, housing, employment and education benefits, not everyone returning from service is able to access the care, work or housing they need," the WalletHub report said. "Veterans do have a relatively low unemployment rate of 3.6 percent, compared with 4.2 percent for the overall population. Still, homelessness remains a major concern, with over 32,000 veterans experiencing homelessness."

Elsewhere in North Texas, Fort Worth ranked as the 5th overall best city for veterans, Garland ranked 24th, Irving came in 33rd, and Arlington ranked as No. 34.

Austin's livability leads the nation
Austin was once again declared No. 1 best place in the U.S. for veterans to live in 2026, continuing the city's long-running streak leading the nation for its livability for former service members.

Austin offers veterans the fifth best quality of life in the U.S., the study found, and the city's economic standing for veterans is the 11th best in the country.

"Austin, TX, is the best city for veterans, in large part because it has the best colleges for veterans in the country, along with the ninth-highest median annual income for veterans, at over $66,000," the report said.

Austin also ranked 25th and 44th, respectively, in the health and employment categories, showing that the city provides high-quality VA health facilities and local employers provide great job benefits for service members.

"It's also good for veterans to live in a place where they can form a community of support with others who have gone through similar experiences," the report said.

Other Texas cities that earned spots in the report include San Antonio (No. 25), Laredo (No. 28), Lubbock (No. 32), Houston (No. 51), Corpus Christi (No. 58), and El Paso (No. 67).

The top 10 best U.S. cities for veterans to live are:

No. 1 – Austin, Texas
No. 2 – Madison, Wisconsin
No. 3 – Scottsdale, Arizona
No. 4 – Plano, Texas
No. 5 – Fort Worth, Texas
No. 6 – Virginia Beach, Virginia
No. 7 – Gilbert, Arizona
No. 8 – Raleigh, North Carolina
No. 9 – Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
No. 10 – Irvine, California

veterans day veterans wallethub reports livability