Sonneberg: Toy History, City Park and Astronomy

Sonneberg combines toy history with discoveries in the city park and nature themes in its districts. The German Toy Museum and the Historic Mile focus on the city’s toy-making tradition; outdoors, activities range from a trail dedicated to small animals to hiking, cycling and ski trails in Spechtsbrunn. When planning your trip, you can choose between cultural history, time outdoors, or a mix of both.

Toy history at the museum and in the old town

The German Toy Museum displays 5,000 toys that show the history of toys from their beginnings to the present day. A particularly vivid exhibit is the “Thuringian Fair”: 67 lifelike figures depict a typical rural folk festival in the Thuringian-Franconian region in the 19th century. The display brings a historic festival to life through its individual figures. Three play areas add a hands-on element to the exhibition.

The Historic Mile is a walking tour through the old town to the roots of the former toy-making sites. On 16 information panels, you can learn about the history of the toy industry and its buildings, as well as the lives and work of the residents. This offers a way to shift your focus from the finished toys to the city’s history and the working life behind their production.

City park: park history and small animals

The 1.4-hectare city park was created in the 19th century as a private public park by a Sonneberg toy manufacturer. A more recent feature in the park is the “Small Animals Up Close” trail. Developed in 2026, it is about 250 metres long and introduces visitors to the subject through seven stations. The design is child-friendly and almost entirely accessible. However, some sections have gravel paths with slight inclines—a useful point to bear in mind when planning your walk.

When looking for a holiday apartment, the kind of holiday you have in mind can be a useful starting point: the museum and old town offer toy and city history, while the city park and nature themes appeal to other interests. Consider what you want your trip to focus on before looking for suitable accommodation.

Trails and nature in the districts

In the district of Spechtsbrunn, the Rennsteig hiking trail runs through Sonneberg’s northern outskirts. Hikers, cyclists and skiers use designated trails there along the former inner German border.

The Sonneberg circular hiking trail starts and ends at the tourist information office at Sonneberg main station. Sonneberg Zoo is in the Neufang district, at an elevation of almost 650 metres amid a coniferous forest. More than 100 animals from 35 species live there; animal and species numbers can change over time. Its forest setting and wildlife offer a different nature experience from the trails in Spechtsbrunn.

Astronomy and a regional perspective

The Astronomy Museum at the Sonneberg Observatory has an exhibition on astronomy, with topics from the solar system and meteorites. This adds a focus on the natural sciences to the city’s history and toy-making heritage. Together, the museum, Historic Mile, city park and zoo give you a range of themes to shape your trip around.

The district of Sonneberg provides a regional setting of its own: it lies in the Thuringian Forest Nature Park and the Slate Region National Geopark, as well as along the German Toy Road. In Lauscha, the Museum of Glass Art presents the history of glass Christmas tree decorations, including baubles and various shapes, from 1860 to the present day. The craft of making mouth-blown glass Christmas tree decorations in Lauscha has been included in the nationwide Register of Intangible Cultural Heritage.

Discover more destinations: Schalkau, Lauscha, Föritz, Mengersgereuth-Hämmern, Steinach, Spechtsbrunn, Neuhaus am Rennweg, Neuhaus-Schierschnitz

Go to the main travel overview: Sonneberg.