HERO Bloom was one of those attractions designed to make you forget, briefly, that you were underneath Rockefeller Center. The 2024 immersive exhibition mixed digital art, oversized flowers, interactive rooms and playful installations into a colorful escape inspired by nature.
What Was HERO Bloom at Rockefeller Center?
Officially titled BLOOM: The Secret Wonders of New York’s Forgotten Eden, the exhibition drew inspiration from the Elgin Botanic Garden, which once occupied this part of Manhattan. HERO turned that history into a multisensory journey through several themed rooms built around plants, fungi, flowers and the idea of growth.
What Did the Experience Look Like?
The first impression was pure color. Large digital screens filled the rooms with surreal flowers and landscapes, creating the kind of visual environment where people immediately reached for their phones.
The exhibition was more than a series of screens, though. Interactive elements encouraged visitors to move through the space rather than simply stand and watch.
Was HERO Bloom Good for Kids?
Yes. Younger visitors had plenty to do, including playful oversized environments and a ball-pit area surrounded by giant flowers. The official exhibition also included a mushroom-themed bounce area and other hands-on elements.
That mix worked well because adults could focus on the visual design and photography while kids had enough movement and interaction to keep the experience from feeling like a traditional gallery.
Was HERO Bloom Good for Photos?
Absolutely. Nearly every room had some kind of dramatic visual backdrop, from oversized digital blossoms to colorful immersive environments. It was clearly built with photography and social sharing in mind, without making that the only reason to visit.
What Else Was Inside?
The 2024 exhibition also included a botanical bar area, interactive fungi-themed spaces and a seed-packet activity near the end. Those smaller touches helped turn BLOOM into a full walkthrough experience rather than a single installation.
Is HERO Bloom Still Open?
No. BLOOM was a seasonal exhibition presented during summer 2024. HERO itself remains open on the Rink Level at Rockefeller Center and continues to rotate in new immersive experiences. Its current exhibition is different from the Bloom experience reviewed here.
Our Take
HERO Bloom worked best as a playful family stop and a visually unusual break from Midtown sightseeing. It was bright, interactive and easy to experience at your own pace, with enough spectacle for adults and enough hands-on elements for younger visitors.
If you are planning a current Midtown attraction, see our SUMMIT One Vanderbilt review. For HERO’s current exhibition and ticket information, check the official HERO at Rockefeller Center page.
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