Animal Crossing: New Horizons offers players countless hours of entertainment as they build their island paradise. However, there are many mechanics and features beneath the surface that aren't immediately obvious. This guide outlines some of the most useful tips and tricks to optimize your island experience and gameplay. From earning more ACNH Bells to obtaining rare resources, these strategies will take your island to the next level.

Make an effort to talk to all your animal villagers each day. Not only does this develop better friendships over time, but you'll often receive gifts like DIY recipes, furniture, or even ACNH items after a few successful interactions. Gifting them their favorite food or clothes also raises friendship levels faster.

Nook Miles Tickets (NMT) allow you to voyage to mysterious islands, but you'll get far more valuable resources if you focus trips at certain critter-spawning times. Visit in the morning for flowers and morning bugs/fish, or evening for night creatures. Take inventory of what's needed for your museum before leaving, and you're more likely to find rare seasonal items too.

Standing between two holes when shaking trees prevents you from being hit by falling branches and knocked away. This makes it quicker and easier to shake trees for extra wood, furniture, or critters hiding above without interruptions. It also keeps wasps from stinging if shaken at night.

Unlike in previous games where unassessed fossils had zero value, donating unassessed fossils to Blathers' museum in New Horizons still rewards nook points and a chance at something special. Take the time to at least donate extra fossils you dig up for the chance at surprises.

Visiting other players' islands when their Nook's Cranny is buying turnips for high prices is a great way to earn lots of extra Bells fast each week. There are turnip exchange subreddits and discords to find islands with a buy price over 500 Bells. Sell your hoard for a hefty profit and buy more rare ACNH items from AKRPG.

Every day on your island, two new random hot items will be showcased outside Nook's Cranny. Craft these items in multiples and sell them back for major markups of 1.5x to 2x their base selling prices for quick income. Check every evening for the new hot items selection.

All flowers can be bred by planting seeds or stems adjacent to each other in a grid pattern. Certain colors like blue roses are rarer and sell for up to 10,000 ACNH Bells each. Dedicate an area to mass flower breeding and collect/sell the offspring for profits. Rain also speeds up the breeding process.