Segment Information Operating Data (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Rental revenue	$ 135,043	$ 140,292
Other income	7,573	344
Interest and Fee Income, Loans, Commercial and Residential, Real Estate	8,396	9,891
Revenues	151,012	150,527
Property operating expense	13,093	15,551
Other expense	9,534	0
Total investment expenses	22,627	15,551
Net Operating Income - Before Unallocated Items	128,385	134,976
Reconciliation to Consolidated Statements of Income:
General and administrative expense	(10,988)	(11,710)
Severance Costs	0	(420)
Interest expense, net	(34,753)	(33,963)
Transaction costs	(1,075)	(5,123)
Financing Receivable, Credit Loss, Expense (Reversal)	(1,192)	0
Depreciation and amortization	(43,810)	(36,002)
Equity in loss from joint ventures	(420)	489
Gain on sale of real estate	220	(388)
Income tax benefit (expense)	751	605
Income from discontinued operations before other items	0	10,169
Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Real Estate, Discontinued Operations	0	6,716
Net income attributable to EPR Properties	37,118	65,349
Preferred dividend requirements	(6,034)	(6,034)
Net Income (Loss) Available to Common Stockholders, Basic	31,084	59,315
Experiential Reportable Operating Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Rental revenue	118,660	124,016
Other income	7,205	71
Interest and Fee Income, Loans, Commercial and Residential, Real Estate	8,044	9,368
Revenues	133,909	133,455
Property operating expense	12,329	14,448
Other expense	9,534
Total investment expenses	21,863	14,448
Net Operating Income - Before Unallocated Items	112,046	119,007
Education Reportable Operating Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Rental revenue	16,383	16,276
Other income	0	0
Interest and Fee Income, Loans, Commercial and Residential, Real Estate	352	523
Revenues	16,735	16,799
Property operating expense	541	870
Other expense	0
Total investment expenses	541	870
Net Operating Income - Before Unallocated Items	16,194	15,929
Corporate / Unallocated
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Rental revenue	0	0
Other income	368	273
Interest and Fee Income, Loans, Commercial and Residential, Real Estate	0	0
Revenues	368	273
Property operating expense	223	233
Other expense	0
Total investment expenses	223	233
Net Operating Income - Before Unallocated Items	$ 145	$ 40