Discontinued Operations - Schedule of Disconnected Operations, Income Statement (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Income (loss) from discontinued operations	$ (979)	$ 3,478	$ 13,023	$ 2,664
Income from discontinued operations attributable to noncontrolling interest			(2,825)	(331)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations attributable to Viad	(1,136)	2,984	10,198	2,333
Glacier Park
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Total revenue	0	16,306	0	19,444
Costs and expenses	(7)	(10,402)	(93)	(14,882)
Impairment charges	0	(2,364)	0	(2,364)
Restructuring charges	0	(75)	0	(75)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, before income taxes	(7)	3,465	(93)	2,123
Income tax (expense) benefit	7	(990)	45	(462)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	0	2,475	(48)	1,661
Gain (loss) on sale of discontinued operations, net of tax	(979)	0	13,343	0
Income (loss) from discontinued operations	(979)	2,475	13,295	1,661
Income from discontinued operations attributable to noncontrolling interest	(157)	(494)	(2,825)	(331)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations attributable to Viad	$ (1,136)	$ 1,981	$ 10,470	$ 1,330