Afternoon in Charleston

If I were going back, I'd be sure to walk along the battery wall, visit the Straw Market downtown, and if I had time and a car, I'd visit a plantation and/or Folly Beach. Be sure to try  Jestine's Kitchen or  Hominy Grill - you'll scrape your plates clean!

If you're looking for a quick bite to eat, I'd also check out Caviar & Bananas - the model is similar to a Dean & Deluca. It's good for a meal, afternoon, coffee, pastry, sushi, you name it. 

Middleton Place is also worth a visit but is located 25 outside the city. It's one of the oldest landscaped gardens and is stunning. 

• Take a stroll through The Battery on the south end of Charleston. Pretty view of the harbor and a scenic park.
  
• Waterfront Park is another good place if you want to go for a walk near the Market.
  
• The Market at Town Center itself is neat to visit--lots of street vendors selling tchotchkes, paintings, hand-woven sweetgrass trinkets (a popular souvenir, although the families making them prefer not to have their picture taken) and other random things. Also lots of nearby shops and restaurants.f
  
• A trip out to Fort Sumter National Monument is a good way to get a feel for the national historic significance of Charleston.
  

Aside from the carriage ride, (which gives a great history!), I would actually take a tour of one of the famous homes.   Calhoun Mansion would be a nice one to tour...here's a link: http://www.calhounmansion.net/index.html.  If you are into exercise and a great view...walking or running the Arthur J. Ravenel Jr. Bridge would be fantastic!  It has a wonderful walking lane and a fun little park underneath that juts out into the water.  There's a cafe, a playground, restrooms, basket weavers, and a gift shop.   College of Charleston is worth taking a look at also--many movies were filmed there and you may recognize some of the locales...The Notebook and Cold Mountain...just off the top of my head.  Have fun!  

If you're willing to drive about 45 mins up the road to Moncks Corner, I'd check out Cypress Gardens, it makes for a fun outdoor afternoon where you can get up close and personal with a few gators.