Brighton is one of the United Kingdom"s premier tourist destinations, with over 8 million visitors annually descending on this southern coastal town. The town attracts a wide array of tourists with its family friendly reputation, as well as being known as a gay mecca. Brighton has long enjoyed its reputation as an energetic and free spirited beach community, further enhanced by the sheer number of pubs in town (over 300). It also hosts the second largest arts festival in the United Kingdom, after Edinburgh. While there are numerous museums and shopping choices, the seaside is the main draw.