I visited a lot when my in laws were alive, as they lived there. Safe, low crime rate, easy place to be. It's a small island and you can get up and down the coast easily by bus, though may be best to hire a car if you want to explore inland (and you should!)
Things to do:
Unlike some other Caribbean islands, the beaches are public so you can go sit on some very fancy ones on the West Coast (Sandy Lane area). Sometimes security guards will try to suggest you move on, but they're usually trying it on.
The North and East coasts are much quieter and more rugged - really beautiful. There is a tropical garden in the north of the island which is well worth a visit.
The Barbados Museum in Bridgetown is excellent and you shouldn't miss it.
It's very trad and popular to go to Oistins for a fish fry. There are also loads of amazing and expensive restaurants down the west coast. There's also loads of cheap food places. Barbados alternative to Mcdonalds is called Chefette and is everywhere - it does chicken, rotis etc. Also in some places (like South Road, Sandy Lane) you find enterprising women selling lunch out the back of a van - chicken, flying fish, macaroni, rice and peas, salad etc. Their clientele is mainly local workers but they're tourist-friendly.
Plantation houses well worth visiting, but the Barbados Museum will give you a better idea of the realities of slavery.
If you want to see a bit of old Barbados it's worth a trip to Speightstown.
Depending on your interests there's a lot else to do - some rather wonderful caves, surfing on the north coast, the second oldest synagogue in the southern hemisphere - but its a small island and most people go for the sunshine, relaxation and star spotting. You'll have a great time.