Of all the serene and satisfying joys that Animal Crossing: New Horizons offers, few are as grand and quietly educational as the Museum. Under the meticulous curatorship of the beloved owl, Blathers, this institution transforms from a lonely tent into a breathtaking cathedral of nature and art. For many players, completing the museum collections—Fossils, Fish, Sea Creatures, and Bugs, followed by the Art wing—becomes the ultimate long-term goal, a testament to their dedication to their island paradise.
This guide is your comprehensive companion to achieving that 100% completion status, covering strategies, seasonal tips, and the nuances of each collection.
The Heart of the Museum: Blathers and the Donation Process
Before you can fill the halls, you must first establish them. Upon arriving on your island, you’ll need to donate five critters (fish or bugs) to Tom Nook to trigger Blathers’ arrival. After he sets up his tent, your first task is to donate 15 more specimens (which can include fossils) to convince him to build the full museum.
The donation process is simple: have a new, unassessed (for fossils) or un-donated creature in your inventory and speak to Blathers. Select "Make a donation," and he will gladly accept what you have. He’ll also offer his signature verbose (and often hilarious) commentary on each find. Remember, you cannot donate duplicates; the game automatically filters out specimens already in the collection.
1. The Fossil Collection: The Quickest Completion
The fossil collection is arguably the easiest to complete, as it is not bound by seasons or time of day. Four to five fossil spots appear on your island every single day without fail.
- Strategy: Dig up every fossil you see daily. Take them to Blathers to have them assessed. For any duplicates, consider them your primary source of bells! Selling assessed fossils to Nook’s Cranny is a fantastic way to build your wealth. There are no tricks here; it’s a pure test of daily diligence. There are 73 fossils to collect, and with consistent play, you can complete this section within a few months.
2. The Fish Collection: A Test of Patience and Timing
This collection is where the real challenge begins. Fish are bound by a complex matrix of factors: month (season), time of day, weather, and location (river, pond, pier, ocean, river clifftop).
- Key Tools: Always have a steady supply of Fishing Rods. The better tools you can craft or buy later will last longer, saving you time and resources.
- Understanding Shadows: Learn the shadow sizes. The rarest fish, like the Stringfish or Golden Trout, have huge shadows. The elusive Coelacanth, a rare ocean fish, only appears when it is raining or snowing.
- Pier Fish: Do not neglect your pier! Some of the rarest fish in the game, like the Mahi-Mahi and the Giant Trevally, only spawn in the ocean near the pier. Stock up on fish bait crafted from Manila Clams to force spawn fish in this specific location—it’s almost essential for these pier-specific catches.
- Seasonal Cycling: This is the biggest hurdle. If you miss a fish that’s only available for a couple of months, you’ll likely have to wait a full year to catch it again, unless you time travel. Keep an eye on community-made monthly guides to know what’s available.
3. The Bug Collection: The Hunter’s Pursuit
Like fish, bugs are governed by season, time, and weather, but they also introduce another layer: location and behavior. Bugs appear on flowers, trees (by shaking), tree stumps, on the ground, flying, and even on rocks.
- Key Tools: You’ll need a Net. The golden net, earned after completing the bug collection, is the ultimate symbol of your entomological prowess.
- Creating Habitats: You can manipulate your island to attract specific bugs. For example:
- Tree Stump Bugs: Leave a few regular tree stumps around to attract valuable bugs like the Violin Beetle and the Rosalia Batesi Beetle.
- Flower Bugs: Peacock Butterflies require hybrid flowers like blue, black, or purple. Plant these in abundance to increase your chances.
- Tree-Shaking Caution: Always have your net equipped when shaking trees for furniture or tree-dwelling bugs like the Bagworm. Stand directly in front of the tree when you shake it so you can quickly swing if a wasp nest falls.
- The Elusive Tarantula/Scorpion: These valuable, aggressive bugs appear after 7 PM during their respective months. They can be forced to spawn by creating a "tarantula island" on a mystery island tour by picking all flowers, chopping down trees, and breaking rocks to eliminate other bug spawns, though this method was nerfed in a past update and is now less effective.
4. The Deep-Sea Creature Collection: A Late-Game Delight
Added in the summer 2020 update, sea creatures are caught by diving with a wet suit. You must look for bubbles breaking the ocean’s surface and swim over to them, then dive (press Y) when you are directly above.
- Strategy: The shadow size and movement speed are your only clues. Fast, large shadows are often the rarest and most valuable creatures, like the Gigas Giant Clam or the Spider Crab. This collection is less tedious than fishing, as creatures are not attracted to bait and you simply have to chase them down. Again, seasonality and time of day are crucial factors.
5. The Art Wing: The Greatest Challenge of All
The art gallery, dedicated to famous works from history, is the most difficult section to complete honestly. It relies entirely on the shifty fox, Redd, who appears randomly at his trawler docked at your secret beach.
- Identifying Fakes: Redd sells both genuine and forged artwork. You must learn to spot the differences. For instance, the Famous Painting (Mona Lisa) has genuine eyebrows, while the fake’s are raised. The Valiant Statue (Winged Victory) is genuine with a right leg perched on a block; the fake has the legs together.
- The Grind: Redd’s visits are infrequent. Even when he does visit, he may only have one genuine piece that you already own. This section requires immense patience, trading with other players online, or a very long-term commitment to checking his boat every time he appears. There are 43 pieces of art to collect, making it a true test of endurance.
The Ultimate Reward: A Personal Achievement
Completing the museum offers no in-game trophy or tangible reward beyond the satisfaction itself. The true prize is the museum. Walking through the completed fossil exhibit, seeing the massive coelacanth tank, watching the fireflies flicker in the bug wing, and admiring the complete art gallery is its own reward. It’s a personal museum, a curated collection of your journey, patience, and dedication to your island life. It stands as a beautiful, peaceful monument to everything that makes Animal Crossing: New Horizons a unique and enduring experience.
