Start with your small LOCAL newspapers and those advertising things that use a bit of stuff to hold the ads apart ... they are often starved for LOCAL information.

Then you are "published" and can go for the bigger publications.

Be sure your article has a slant that has broad appeal and will sell. Keep your cover letter is short & sweet, with enough style it to grab the attention of the editor. Editors may base your capacity to write based on that cover letter. Above all does a spell check & make sure your grammar is correct. I know this is pretty basic, but I have got through major publishers based on my cover letter.