The district of Sonneberg is located in the southern part of the Free State of Thuringia. Crafts, industry and tourism are its economic and cultural mainstays, with production and glassblowing being core manufacturing activities. Good connections to nearby beauty spots such as the Schiefergebirge, the Frankenwald and the Obermaintal make the area attractive for tourists, as do the numerous museums, including the German Toy Museum and the Museum of Glass Art, as well as the Nautiland marine aquarium.