Stardew Valley - Secret notes and how to get the magnifying glass

Secret notes in Stardew Valley are items that you can collect which contain important information about the town and people. These notes can be diary entries, treasure maps, cryptic messages, or some even show locations and treasure maps of rare items. In total, there are a total of 25 secret notes in-game. Many are fairly easy to find, but you'll need a magnifying glass first. This is why we're going to show you how to get a magnifying glass and where you can find the secret notes.

How to get the magnifying glass

A magnifying glass cannot be bought or created. You will get this piece of equipment after you complete the winter mystery quest. As the name suggests, you must be in the winter season to be able to complete this quest.

Secret note locations in Stardew Valley

Once you've completed the winter mystery quest and scored yourself a magnifying glass, you can find secret notes in a variety of different ways. This can range from killing monsters, cutting down trees, fishing, and more. Picking up a secret note will automatically store it in your inventory. From there you can click it and read it. It will then be added to your secret notes tab.

Here are all the secret notes and how to get your hands on them! Bear in mind some notes are just received from mundane tasks so if there aren't specific instructions to obtain it below, it will randomly drop.

Abigail's diary entry secret note

"It’s a page from Abigail’s Diary.

Things I love: the smell of carved pumpkin, keeping an amethyst under my pillow, chocolate cake, the thrill of spicy eel, and the comfort of Mom’s blackberry cobbler (I like to eat!)"

This note tells you what the purple-haired gamer girl's favourite gifts are, and if you're looking to romance Abigail, this note is crucial information!

Sam's holiday shopping list secret note

"It’s Sam’s holiday shopping list.

Everyone’s favourites:

Sebastian: Frozen Tear, Sashimi

Penny: Emerald, Poppy

Vincent: Grape, Cranberry Candy

Mom: Crispy Bass, Pancakes

Dad: Risotto, Roasted Hazelnuts

Me: Cactus, Maple Bar, Pizza."

Sam's handy grocery list tells you some of the gifts his family and friends like, so now you know how to work your way into the gang.

click to enlarge

Leah's perfect dinner secret note

"It’s written in Leah’s handwriting.

My idea of a perfect dinner would be salad, goat cheese, truffle, and wine. For dessert, I’d need a poppyseed muffin. Yum! If someone gave me one of these things, I’d melt."

Leah's note tells you what she likes, perfect if you're trying to woo her.

Maru's invention list

"It’s a note of Maru’s.

Parts still needed for my greatest invention yet!

Gold bar, iridium bar, battery pack, diamond, strawberries"

This lets you know what gifts Maru loves.

Penny's gift list

"It’s Penny’s handwriting.

I want to get everyone something they love!

Mom: parsnip, glazed yams, NO BEER!

Jas: fairy rose, plum pudding

Vincent: pink cake

Mr Mullner: leek, fried mushroom

Granny Mullner: beet, tulip”

This tells you what some other residents love (maybe love too much, we're looking at you, Pam).

Stardrop special orders secret note

"Stardrop Saloon Special Orders

Mayor Lewis: Autumn’s Bounty (Double order of high-fiber bread on the side)

Marnie: Pumpkin Pie (extra whipped cream)

Demetrius: Bean Hotpot (Make it spicy)

Caroline: Fish Taco

(she wants triple the sauce! Better throw in a few extra napkins…)”

This lets you know some of the villager's loves, which is always handy when you're trying to increase those friendship hearts. What better way than to show love than offering food?

Diary page secret note

"It’s a page from someone’s diary…

There are only a few 'older' bachelors in town, and none of them are perfect! Harvey is really anxious and weak, but I know he would make a loyal and devoted husband. He likes coffee and pickles. Elliott is a bit foppish and melodramatic, but he does have a nice chin. He likes crab cakes and pomegranates.

Shane is messy and anti-social. But I think his gruff exterior is a defense mechanism, insulating his softness from the world. He likes, Beer, Pizza, and Pepper Poppers."

This note tells us Harvey, Elliot and Shane's loves, as well as their personalities, so you can make an informed decision as to what bachelor you want to walk down the aisle with one day.

A letter to Haley and Emily

"To Haley and Emily.

Hope you two are doing well! We’ve sent you your favorite gifts: Pink Cake and Sunflowers for Haley, Gemstones and Wool for Emily!

– Love Mom and Dad"

These gifts are some of Haley and Emily's loves.

Alex's training diet

"Alex’s Strength Training Diet:

Complete Breakfast, Salmon Dinner. (I’ve learned to love this food… I can feel the protein!)"

This shows Alex loves a complete breakfast and salmon dinner, so once you've upgraded your farmhouse to include a kitchen you can start flexing your culinary skills.

Skull cavern secret note

 "Someone is waiting for you on level 100 in the Skull Cavern…"

This will unlock the Cryptic Note quest.

Upon reaching level 100 in the skull cavern, you'll meet Master Qi.

He'll be impressed that you made it this far down and will give you some snake milk. Once consumed, your health is permanently 25 points higher.

An old picture

This note is an old photograph of Marnie and Jas.

Garbage diving tips

"I've found some good things by looking in the garbage cans, on lucky days. Sometimes you'll find the 'dish of the day' behind the saloon...usually fresh! For dessert, I'll check the Mullners' can for cookies.

For treasures, check the cans by the blacksmith and museum."

These tips come from the garbage diving god himself, Linus. If you follow the instructions, you can find new items in Pelican Town.

Plush junimo location secret note

"12 o'clock noon SHARP. Last day of the season. Check the bush above the playground."

Go to the bush above the playground at 12 pm on the final day of any season, interact with it and you'll find a plush Junimo toy that can be used as a decoration inside your home.

Stone junimo location

"I hid something behind the community center."

Head to the back of the community center at any point during the day to receive the Stone Junimo garden art. It's towards the right side of the center and you'll need to click around until the text pops up. 

Mermaid show puzzle secret note

"Mermaid Show: 1-5-4-2-3"

The mermaid show puzzle is available at the night market.

Go there and wait for the show to end then select the shells in the sequence on the note, get this correct and you'll receive a pearl.

Treasure map 1

The note will tell you the location of some buried treasure.

Go behind the hot springs and past the train track, go to the top left of the map and dig next to the stone wall.

You'll get a treasure chest which can be sold for 5,000g.

Treasure map 2

Go to the river by the community center on the right side at the top and dig next to the boulder.

You'll receive a strange doll artifact which you can donate to the museum.

Treasure map 3

Head to the Calico Desert, then go to the beach in the east corner and dig on the left of the bend.

You'll get another strange doll artifact, once again you can donate this to Gunther at the museum.

Directions 1

This note will show you some green arrows pointing to an item.

Follow the directions till you run into an obstacle then move in the direction of the next arrow.

Start at Sam's house, and this will take you to the solid gold Lewis statue behind Mayor Lewis' house.

Directions: Left, Up, Right, Up, Right, Down, Left, Down, Left, Down

If you place the statue in the town (make sure it is not in the way of a villager's path) the next day you'll find it replaced.

In its place will be a rotten plant and note with 750g.

"In the future, I'd appreciate it very much if you refrain from placing my PRIVATE belongings in the town for all to see! I'm very displeased! Take this money and never speak of my 'project' to anyone."

Directions 2

Start in the town square in the middle of the brick circle.

Follow these directions and it will take you to the truck by Joja Mart.

Interact with the driver's side door and you'll begin a conversation with the driver.

The driver will ask for a lucky rabbit's foot, which can be obtained once you've housed a rabbit in a coop on your farm. Once you have the rabbit's foot, give it to the driver and you'll receive a social charm, increasing base luck.

Directions: right, down, right, up, right, up, right, down, left, up, left, up, right, up, left, up, left

A bush meeting secret note

This note is a little diagram showing the location of some treasure.

The clock shows the time at 12:40 am, there's a moon and an arrow pointing at a bush.

Shake the bush next to the bridge leading to the beach at 12:40 am.

Marnie and the Mayor will jump out of it and run away - and who said romance was dead?

Mister Qi quest

"Greetings, [farmer name]... Have you found my 'secret' in the dark tunnel? I look forward to meeting you! - Qi"

Head to the bus stop then go west to the tunnel and enter.

Halfway through there will be a box on the ball, put a battery pack in it and Mister Qi's questline will begin.

A request for maple syrup

 "If yoo can reed dis..come to seecrit wuds. Pleez bring may-pal serrup."

Go to the secret woods between 6 am and 7 pm, and make sure you have some maple syrup on you.

You'll meet a bear, but don't worry, he's friendly.

He'll give you bear's knowledge in exchange for the maple syrup, tripling the sale prices of blackberries and salmonberries

M. Jasper's page

"It’s a page from M. Jasper’s book:

…the creatures, known by some as 'Forest Spirits' or 'Junimos', are said to appear in abandoned buildings after they’ve “gone to seed”. As a general rule… when humans leave, and nature begins to reclaim her territory, the Junimos will undoubtedly appear. Folk wisdom holds that the Junimos display some kind of resonant affinity with gemstones that are placed inside their little huts… Of course, all these claims come from dubious, unverified sources…As far as I know, even the mere existence of these creatures has never been proven!"

This explains that if you place a gem in the Junimo hut, the Junimos that harvest crops will change colour.

Abigail's secret note

"I 'borrowed' a necklace from Mom, but lost it somewhere near the bathhouse... She's going to freak out if she notices it's missing."

Fish outside of the spa during any season apart from winter.

When you find the ornate necklace you can give it to Abigail, and in return you'll receive 100 friendship points with her.

So there you have it, a complete guide for discovering the secret notes in Stardew Valley! Of course, there are some that are randomly spawned, so keep on farming and digging around, and you'll be sure to find them all. If you want some help, be sure to check out our guide on how to play co-op multiplayer. Additionally, since most of these secret notes give you information on the villagers of Stardew Valley, be sure to consult our extensive character hub to find out more about them all!