Condensed Consolidated Quarterly Results (Unaudited) - Schedule of Quarterly Financial Information (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Revenue:	$ 251,671	$ 255,946	$ 317,035	$ 264,396	$ 223,155	$ 299,802	$ 256,391	$ 285,641	$ 1,089,048	$ 1,064,987	$ 953,347
Operating income (loss):
Ongoing operations	4,852	14,571	36,286	(1,125)	(644)	33,013	14,136	13,361
Corporate activities	(3,573)	(1,354)	(1,983)	(2,810)	(6,850)	(3,468)	(1,991)	(2,039)
Restructuring (charges) recoveries	(1,414)	(257)	(1,069)	(216)	177	(234)	(1,369)	(211)	(2,956)	(1,637)	(3,793)
Impairment charges	(96)	0	0	0	0	0	(884)	0	(96)	(884)	(3,049)
Operating income (loss)	(231)	12,960	33,234	(4,151)	(7,317)	29,311	9,892	11,111	44,864	45,518	35,156
Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to Viad	(796)	7,393	22,311	(1,908)	(7,255)	30,755	7,978	9,312	27,442	41,178	19,320
Net income (loss) attributable to Viad	$ (957)	$ 7,230	$ 22,389	$ (2,056)	$ (5,889)	$ 29,620	$ 6,742	$ 21,882	$ 26,606	$ 52,354	$ 21,555
Basic and Diluted income (loss) per common share:
Continuing operations attributable to Viad	$ (0.04)	$ 0.37	$ 1.11	$ (0.10)	$ (0.37)	$ 1.53	$ 0.39	$ 0.46
Net income (loss) attributable to Viad common stockholders	$ (0.05)	$ 0.36	$ 1.12	$ (0.10)	$ (0.30)	$ 1.48	$ 0.33	$ 1.08
Deferred Tax Asset Valuation Allowance, Change in Amount						$ 10,100