Anecdotal connections between travel and retirement migration decisions have long been cited but have yet to be verified through research. With increasing retirees across the USA and specifically in North Carolina (NC), gaining a greater understanding of retirement migration decisions can position NC communities to benefit from the economic contributions of these potential retirees. A collaboration between NC State Tourism Extension and Visit NC explored the relationship between travel and retirement migration and other important factors retirees consider. Results indicated a significant increase in retirement migration to NC by those who have previously visited. These data also indicate opportunities in travel marketing to attract more retirees and help increase perceptions of important retirement decision factors.