An official website of the United States government
Museum Closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day
Guided Tours
LARGE GROUP GUIDED TOURS
(10-30 visitors)
Length of Visit: Approximately 2 hours
Group Size: 10-30 (not including chaperones for groups with students under age 18)
What to Expect
Tours are led by David J. Sencer CDC Museum staff and CDC employees who volunteer as docents. They can be adapted for sixth through twelfth graders or older. Each guided tour session lasts approximately two hours, including independent exploration time.
Guided tours include:
- A short orientation to the CDC Museum and CDC
- 1 or 2 short 4–6-minute intro videos played on the Global Symphony
- 5-7 stops in the exhibition (45-60 minutes)
- Q&A session in the museum classroom
- Independent exploration time
Tour themes offered include:
Docent Choice: Explore the permanent exhibition, The Story of CDC, from the lens of a CDC expert. Different exhibits will be highlighted based on the docent’s expertise and preference.
Pathogens Tour: Visit the permanent exhibition, The Story of CDC, with a focus on various pathogens such as: malaria, polio, foodborne illness, and Guinea worm. At each stop the pathogen causing the illness will be discussed along with transmission, treatment, and CDC’s work related to the pathogen.
Health Equity Tour: Health equity issues will be introduced through historical context, and CDC’s current efforts to reduce disparities will be discussed. Some highlights may include aspects of immigration into the US, polio, lead in our environment, violence prevention, and clean water.
Current Temporary Exhibition: Focus on the current temporary exhibition. Please be sure to look at the dates of the exhibition on display.
Group Leader Instructions:
Prior to Visit
- Book your tour reservation. Your tour is not scheduled until you receive a confirmation email.
- Email completed List of Attendees form [23 KB, 1 page] to museumtours@cdc.gov at least seven days before scheduled tour date. This list is required.
Failure to send in the list 7 days prior will result in the guided tour becoming a self-guided visit. - Review museum behavior expectations with all group members. Visitors who do not adhere to museum behavior guidelines will be asked to return to the waiting platform for the remainder of the tour.
- Review driving directions & parking instructions. Traffic can be heavy near the CDC campus. Please plan accordingly.
- Review tour FAQ.
- Review and share photo-ID requirements. All visitors must show government-issued photo identification. This does not apply to visitors under 18 years of age who are accompanied by adults with photo-ID. Adult non-U.S. citizens must present a valid passport for entry.
- Check our website for mask requirements on the day of your visit.
During Visit
- Adhere to museum expectations.
After Visit
- Complete the post-tour survey, which will be sent via email.
INDIVIDUAL & SMALL GROUP GUIDED TOURS
(1-9 visitors)
Length of visit: Approximately 2 hours
Group Size: 1-9 people
What to Expect
The guided tour for small groups is available for individuals or groups with fewer than 10 visitors who prefer a docent led tour. This is not a private tour. Individuals or small groups will be combined with other small groups.
Tours are led by museum staff and CDC employees who volunteer as docents. This tour lasts approximately two hours, including independent exploration time.
All guided tours include:
- A short orientation to the CDC Museum and CDC
- 1 or 2 short 4–6-minute intro videos played on the Global Symphony*
- 5-7 stops in the exhibition (45-60 minutes)
- Q&A session in the museum classroom*
- Independent exploration time
*This activity is not included in Wednesday Curator Tours.
Individual/Small Group Leader Instructions:
Prior to Visit
- Book your tour reservation.
- Review museum behavior expectations with all group members. Visitors who do not adhere to museum behavior guidelines will be asked to return to the waiting platform for the remainder of the tour.
- Review driving directions & parking instructions. Traffic can be heavy near the CDC campus. Please plan accordingly.
- Review and share photo-ID requirements. All visitors must show government-issued photo identification. This does not apply to visitors under 18 years of age who are accompanied by adults with photo-ID. Adult non-U.S. citizens must present a valid passport for entry.
- Check our website for mask requirements on the day of your visit.
During Visit
- Adhere to museum behavior expectations.
After Visit
- Complete post tour survey which will be sent via email.