New Yorkers head to Washington, D.C. for the inauguration

For Jessica Colaizzi, the highflying American flags, the Chicago-themed brunch items, and the masses of people is all part of the experience of viewing President Barack Obam's inauguration Monday in Washington, D.C.

Colaizzi, an Upper East Side resident, took a Megabus to Washington, D.C. Thursday to get ready for the festivities and will volunteer as an usher to help attendees find their spots.

The 21-year-old isn't alone as plenty of New Yorkers have trekked on Megabus, Bolt Bus, and Amtrak to witness the event.

"I wasn't very connected with the last (inauguration) ceremony," said Colaizzi, who was then in high school. "I think seeing the ceremony with all the American flags and monuments in the background, will provide me with an overwhelming sense of patriotism."

Colaizzi, who studied in the nation's capital last semester, said this weekend she felt Downtown D.C. was the most bustling she's ever seen it.

Stores and restaurants all had promotions. She dined at Logan's Tavern in the Logan Circle area of D.C., and said the restaurant had an inauguration themed menu that included staple food items from Chicago, the president's hometown, and cocktails with special significance to the day.

Sarah DiGiulio's sister attended the last inauguration and convinced her to go this time. At first the midtown resident struggled to find a bus ticket to D.C., but found an open spot on a Megabus Saturday morning and their fun began the minute they hit the ground.

Union Station, where all of the trains and buses arrive and depart D.C., had inauguration pop-up shops selling memorabilia for the ceremony, DiGiulio said.

"It's a fun time to be in D.C." DiGiulio said. "There's definitely a different vibe to it. Everyone's in inauguration mode."

The duo has tickets for standing room only to the inauguration, and plan to leave DiGiulio's sister's apartment in Dupont Circle at 7 a.m. for the 11 a.m. ceremony.

After bundling up to hear the president, DiGiulio, 25, will attend an unofficial inaugural ball at The Folger Shakespeare Library.