Museums (synonyms: exhibition halls, foundations galleries; example toponyms: The Unnatural History Museum, the Illinois Museum of History) are locations where objects are stored and showcased for the public to see. Museums are frequent elements in worlds with an adventure and exploration component where they may house secret societies, seek to find ancient treasure, or protect legendary items. They are often also found in superhero worlds, where they may be the sites of bold heists. Museums may keep a portion of their collections below ground in stacks and may have hidden collections. They may have laboratories on the premises or field sites and archeological dig sites in remote locations of the globe. They may pay for the collection of rare antiquities, artifacts, relics, specimens, fossils, or artwork (either to protect these items or to steal them from their rightful owners). Fictional museums may possess, protect, or seek to find legendary items. There may be cults or secret societies that exist within a museum. Museums are home to curators, treasure hunters, retired volunteers, and students on field trips.

Museums may receive funding from a philanthropic foundation or wealthy individual. This may be an opportunity to explore where this funding comes from and what demands or conditions may be attached to it.

Museums are often separated into multiple wings, or areas, each focusing on a specific subtype of art, animal, history, or other collection. They may contain large glass skylights that lead to the rooftops or subterranean access points that lead to areas like catacombs or the sewers.

Museums can be used to explore a fictional history, showcasing moments, items, and other elements important to a fictional world.