How to Unlock and Upgrade the Museum

This guide will show you how to unlock the Museum Animal Crossing: New Horizons (ACNH) for the Nintendo Switch. Read on to learn where to put the museum, how to upgrade, how to relocate, and more!

How to Unlock the Museum

1. Give Tom Nook 5 Bugs or Fish

You'll first have to catch five bugs or fish and hand them over to Tom Nook. You can find him inside Resident Services. He'll then call up Blathers and ask you to set up a tent for him.

2. Set Up Blathers Tent

After Tom Nook's call, he'll ask you to set up a tent for Blathers to stay. Select the location for his tent and wait for him to appear the next say. Keep in mind Blathers's tent will be the location of the upgraded museum.

3. Give Blathers 15 Bugs or Fish

Just like in Step 1, bring 15 bugs or fish to Blathers and he'll consider opening up a museum! His tent will no longer be available the next day you complete your donations.

4. Wait for the Museum to Open

The museum will open in two days! You can take a look at the critters you've already donated at the exhibits or donate even more critters.

Also, you'll find an extra exhibit for Art and Sea Creatures. To learn how to get painting and statues, read up on our guide on how to find Redd!

How to Find Redd

What Can You Do At the Museum?

Donate and View Bugs, Fish and Fossils

After you've built the Museum, you will be able to donate any Bugs, Fish and Fossils you find, and view all the Bugs, Fish and Fossils you have previously donated to Blathers.

You can only donate each item once. Try to fill up the whole Museum with all the Bugs, Fish and Fossils in the game!

Fossil Assessment

After you've found a Fossil by digging it up, you can take it to Blathers to assess. This will identify the fossil, both changing its appearance as well as its price.

You should always take new Fossils to Blathers to assess right away. If the fossil assessed is one that you have already donated, either sell it for a high price, or keep it as furniture in your home.

How to Move the Museum

Upgraded Resident Services is required to use this feature.

1. Talk to Tom Nook About Infrastructure

Talk to Tom Nook at Resident Services and select Let's talk about infrastructure.

Moving building will cost you 50,000 Bells so you better have than on hand before progressing.

2. Choose "I want layout changes" and Select the Museum

Say "I want layout changes". You can now select a building to move; from an island home, up to facilities like the tailors and the Museum. Select the Museum.

3. Use the Moving Kit on the New Location

After choosing the new area, select the moving kit from your pockets and use it. You will be able to see how it will look like before you confirm.

You can back out before choosing the location

If you speak to Tom Nook again before choosing the new location, you can cancel relocation. However, once you have decided on a spot, it cannot be cancelled, so be sure to make up your mind 100% beforehand.

4. The Museum will be Relocated the Next Day

The construction site will be put up, and the store will be moved to the new location the next day.

Where Should You Put the Museum?

Close to the Airport

Choosing a spot for the Museum that is close to the Airport will make it easier to deliver bugs, fish and fossils found on Mystery Island Tours to Blathers, descreasing the amount of time you spend going back and forth.

How to Go on a Mystery Island Tour

Move It Anywhere after Unlocking Island Designer

After unlocking Island Designer, you can decorate the vicinity of facilities however you like. At this point, you will also be able to relocate the Museum anywhere you want, including on top of cliffs, so you don't need to worry too much if you dislike the initial spot you picked for the Museum.

How to Use the Island Designer App

Related Articles

How to Unlock Shops and Facilities

ACNH Facilities
Resident Services	Museum
Nook's Cranny	Able Sisters
Airport	Campsite
Harvey's Island & Photopia	Harv's Plaza
Jolly Redd's Treasure Trawler	The Roost