Loss Per Share - Reconciliation of Basic and Diluted Loss Per Share (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
		Jun. 30, 2022	Mar. 31, 2022	Jun. 30, 2021	Mar. 31, 2021	Jun. 30, 2022	Jun. 30, 2021
Numerator:
Net income (loss) attributable to Viad		$ 19,839		$ (42,026)		$ (9,162)	$ (85,178)
Less: Allocation to participating securities		(4,293)		0		0	0
Dividends on convertible preferred stock		(1,950)	$ (1,950)	(1,923)	$ (1,898)
Adjustment to the redemption value of redeemable noncontrolling interest		(412)		(547)		(763)	(603)
Net income (loss) allocated to Viad common stockholders (basic)		13,184		(44,496)		(13,825)	(89,602)
Add: Allocation to participating securities		25		0		0	0
Net loss allocated to Viad common stockholders (diluted)		$ 13,209		$ (44,496)		$ (13,825)	$ (89,602)
Denominator:
Basic weighted-average outstanding common shares		20,571		20,397		20,544	20,384
Additional dilutive shares related to share-based compensation		160		0		0	0
Diluted weighted-average outstanding shares		20,731		20,397		20,544	20,384
Basic income (loss) attributable to Viad common stockholders		$ 0.64		$ (2.18)		$ (0.67)	$ (4.40)
Basic income (loss) attributable to Viad common stockholders	[1]	$ 0.64		$ (2.18)		$ (0.67)	$ (4.40)
Paid in Cash
Numerator:
Dividends on convertible preferred stock		$ (1,950)		$ 0		$ (3,900)	$ 0
Paid in Kind
Numerator:
Dividends on convertible preferred stock		$ 0		$ (1,923)		$ 0	$ (3,821)

[1] Diluted loss per share amount cannot exceed basic loss per share.