The first time I visited Zakopane was probably in 1997, 10 years later, it's grown, prices have changed and it's much much more busier. Always popular with Germans, the Brits are now there too with the cheap flights to Krakow a popular thing. The Russians come in their droves during the winter time but it's still kept a nice atmosphere.
The main street goes down a hill and has local cafes, bars, pizzerias and restaurants as well as a couple of shops, a post office and the obvious like McDonald's. In the centre of the street, you will come across all kinds of street artists and a dog which sits and has been sitting for some years with a sign asking for sausages or money!
Pop in any of these side bars and you are bound to find a nice atmosphere, good food, local specialities like hot beer or hot wine during the winter and all at a cheap price.
Stay in any number of pensions or rooms offered by locals, just try to avoid coming at peak times such as the May Day holiday or Boze Cialo.
The Tatry mountains are beautiful and there at your disposable, follow signs and do not try anything to ambitious unless you have spoken to locals about the conditions. People will be happy to help. This is also a great base to learn skiing or explore the Tatry's in Slovakia, Auschwitz or Krakow.
Make sure you try the Placki Ziemniczane (potato cakes), cooked at the bottom of the hill, also "oscypek" - smoked sheep cheese that can be grilled on your request or taken home for relatives which is available particularly in the market area.
Zakopane is well connected to the rest of Poland by train or bus and there is a bus to Poprad in Slovakia at least twice a day.