C.J. Barrymore's celebrates 50th year with new three-story go-kart track

Family friendly destination C.J. Barrymore's is celebrating its 50th year in a big way. The amusement center is debuting a new, $3 million three-story go-kart track this weekend, the first of its kind in Michigan.

The 30-foot-tall Indy SkyTrack is the latest feature of the 25-acre park that is also known for having batting cages, laser tag, bumper cars, mini golf, a Ferris wheel, an arcade, driving range, a roller coaster and more. It was kismet that it all fell into place in 2024, 50 years since C.J. Barrymore's first opened in 1974.

"We're just really, really excited that we put this all together this year to celebrate our 50th anniversary and unveil this track," said vice president David Dalpizzol. "The track has been in the works for quite some time. We actually had a blueprint for the track in 2019, but because of COVID we had to shelve all projects until things straightened out."

Dalpizzol said the construction, which started Labor Day weekend 2023, was smooth sailing and was finished on time and "almost on budget."

"It's a really thrilling ride," he said of Indy SkyTrack. "It spirals three stories upward and then you come down a descent to get you back to ground level."

He said while the go-karts go between 18 and 20 mph, they do pick up additional speed on that ramp down from the three-story spiral, adding to the excitement. Riders must be 60 inches tall to enjoy the new attraction, or 40 inches with a taller rider in a double kart. It's included with the $49 all-day wristband, or the cost is $12 per ride.

The Indy SkyTrack is the newest attraction for C.J. Barrymore's, which Dalpizzol says blurs the line between a small amusement park and a family entertainment center.

Since the 1970s it had been a place for people of all ages to blow off steam by playing video games, mini golf and driving go-karts. In 2019, the center invested in upping the thrill factor with a 110-foot-tall Ferris wheel, an even taller drop tower and a short and fast roller coaster that takes riders into a 360-degree loop.

"It kind of gives us an advantage. There's nothing like it in the state of Michigan," he said. "They're either a family entertainment center or an amusement park, and we're the best of both worlds. Because we have so many attractions both indoors and outdoors, we're able to spread people out."

C.J. Barrymore's also has a bar and grill, pizza kitchen, food truck and other concessions and can be booked for birthday parties.

While the park opens at 4 p.m. Friday, the Indy SkyTrack will be available to the public starting at 8 p.m. A group of contest winners will have the chance to drive the track first.

C.J. Barrymore's

21750 Hall Road, Clinton Township

(586) 469-2800 or cjbarrymores.com

Spring hours are 4-11 p.m. Fri., noon-11 p.m. Sat. and noon-8 p.m. Sun. The park opens seven days a week starting June 3

Admission is free. An all-day wristband that includes unlimited rides, driving range, laser tag, bowling and more is $49. It includes everything but arcade, which is priced per game, and batting cages, $5 per 30 pitches. Tickets to individual attractions and activities can also be purchased a la carte for $4-$12.

mbaetens@detroitnews.com