Discontinued Operations - Schedule of Disconnected Operations, Income Statement (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Income Statement Balance Sheet And Additional Disclosures By Disposal Groups Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Income from discontinued operations	$ (394)	$ 14,389	$ 2,366
Income from discontinued operations attributable to noncontrolling interest		(2,825)	(248)
Income from discontinued operations attributable to Viad	$ (394)	11,564	2,118
Glacier Park
Income Statement Balance Sheet And Additional Disclosures By Disposal Groups Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Total revenue			19,445
Costs and expenses		(93)	(15,462)
Impairment charges			(2,364)
Restructuring charges			(98)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, before income taxes		(93)	1,521
Income tax benefit (expense)		45	(280)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax		(48)	1,241
Gain on sale of discontinued operations, net of tax		13,343
Income from discontinued operations		13,295	1,241
Income from discontinued operations attributable to noncontrolling interest		(2,825)	(248)
Income from discontinued operations attributable to Viad		$ 10,470	$ 993