Acquisition of Businesses - Unaudited Pro Forma (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
		Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Revenue		$ 387,751	$ 290,205	$ 985,482	$ 911,762
Depreciation and amortization		13,885	14,001	37,776	38,591
Income from continuing operations		34,794	12,852	47,148	31,589
Net income attributable to Viad		$ 33,581	$ 12,001	$ 45,612	$ 30,841
Diluted income per share	[1]	$ 1.65	$ 0.60	$ 2.25	$ 1.54
Basic income per share		$ 1.65	$ 0.60	$ 2.25	$ 1.54

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